General TR Wire Wheel Spline Question

[RJS]

Hi All

Any idea if periodically rotating wire wheels from right side to left side (and vice versa) would be good, bad or indifferent on the splines (ie. reversing direction of drive)?

Bob
PS: this weekend is normally the formal kick off to "driving" season here in CT. Except, it is 46*F today and pouring rain. Thus, car is in the garage up on jackstands having some work performed.

 

[TomMull]

I don't think it much matters. If you do chose to rotate tires it will give you a chance to check and grease the splines and keep everything tight and I think there is some benefit in that. Well greased splines will last a long time.
Tom

 

[RJS]

Tom

Thanks. Will remember that. I have traditionally kept the hubs/splines clean and lubed them with silver anti-seize. My thought on that was if any leaked past the hubs onto the spokes it would be less noticeable if it was silver. I assumed the lube was to prevent the wheels from getting frozen on the hubs. But, does the lube serve another purpose (i.e. somehow protect the splines from wear)? If so, is silver anti-seize not appropriate?

Bob

 

[TomMull]

Seems like silver antifreeze is just the thing for the reasons you stated. The wheels seize from rust and the rust consumes the splines ultimately leading to failure. A wheel and it's spline should be considered compromized if it has been stuck. (A spun wheel on the front is particularly dangerous as there is zero braking if the wheel spins. On the rear you can't move unless you have a limited or no slip axle.) There should be virtually no wear on the splines in general use as there should be very close to zero movement. Almost all the spline damage comes from corrosion. Properly maintained the splines should last a lifetime.

Tom