OK, now this is why the issue is perplexing me. I agree the force of braking
is far greater than accelleration (at least until I can afford that $3K
supercharger <g>). But the way I figure it is this: If, during braking, the
spline fails on the LH side, and the hub has a LH thread (IOW a RH hub), the
wheel will actually tighten the hub nut / spinner. The reason my LF wheel came
off on my old 71 years ago was because the braking forces overcame the splines
(which weren't in good shape BTW) and the spinner was unscrewed by the wheel.
The spinner might have been *loosened* by vibration, braking, etc, but it spun
off completely once the splines failed. If a RH hub was fitted, I believe it
would tighten the spinner if the wheel spun, rather unscrew it. This might
cause other problems, but at least the wheel would stay on. If I am right, the
wheel hubs should be LH thread on the LH side, and RH on the RH side. Of
course this is "bass-akwards", so there's a real probability I am missing
something here. Now that I can afford to keep all the splines in fairly good
order, the point is nearly moot, but this is an intellectual curiosity issue.
thanks again,
Dave Pennington
Dallas TX
70 MGB
----- Original Message -----
From: Bob Howard
To: racerx23@earthlink.net
Cc: mgs@autox.team.net
Sent: Thursday, December 28, 2000 9:12 AM
Subject: Re: wheel hubs on the "wrong" side
David,
If you can get a consensus on any topic, I think that this one will be
it. Using the hubs on the other side is asking for trouble. It's not
the burning out acceleration that loosens a hub, it's the braking forces
and the usual road vibrations.
Brakes are at least 2x and more frequently 3x the strength of the
engine. A way to think of this is 0-60 takes 1/8 mile and 14 seconds or
so. 60-0 takes about 300 feet and 2 seconds. This point was emphasised
during the "runaway Audi" phenomenon a few years ago. Car&Driver took an
Audi and held it at 60mph. Jamming down the brakes and the throttle
fully, the car still took only about 75 feet longer to stop. So, in that
case, the strength of the brakes was engine HP + inertia (M x V2).
Bob
On Thu, 28 Dec 2000 08:11:06 -0500 "David Pennington"
<racerx23@earthlink.net> writes:
> hello all,
> I am contemplating the (wire) wheel drive hub on the left side of my
> car,
> which looks rather sad (its been spun by the previous owner at some
> point). I
> had a wheel spin long ago on the left front, it even went off
> completely to
> my chagrin. Anyway, due to their RH thread, the left sides will
> unscrew if
> they spin during braking, which is the only time I anticipate giving
> them
> great loads of torque (as my crazy youth is long past, I do not get
> pleasure
> from doing "burnouts" and such nonsense). Anyway, is there anyone
> who's put
> right side hubs on the left side, or if this was discussed sometime,
> please
> relay the consensus if there is one. I truly appreciate this forum
> and its
> many contributors.
>
> thanks again in advance,
>
> Dave P
> 70 MGB
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