Just got my Maxwell spindles back from the machine shop and without the steering arms they look the same. Am I correct in assuming the lefthand threaded one goes on the drivers side so the nut is always tightening?
Howard Dennis
The opposite is safer if you use threaded outer bearings on the Maxwell spindles just like on a Model T spindle. The nuts and bearings should tend to loosen up while driving forward (though stopped by tightening the nut against a slotted washer + the cotter pin) otherwise the bearing will eventually start tightening until something breaks.
Don't know about Maxwells, but Model T's are always loosening. If it were always tightening and the bearing were to come loose from the lock nut and actually tighten the bearing, it would split the hub wide open. I saw a T wheel at a swap meet once that had the hub busted wide open. My only guess was that it was either towed backwards or someone had the spindle on the wrong side.
Howard:
If there is a keyed washer between the nut and the bearing and the bearing inner race is not threaded then the nut can be either thread but if the inner race of the bearing is threaded then that race will always be on such that as it spins it will tend to back off. I once was on tour with a fellow who got his T spindles on the wrong side and the bearing race locked up the right front wheel and the outer race froze to the bearing and cut the end of the hub off. Don Lang and I both were shocked that he didn't have anything more serious happen. The nut must not be able to self tighten since it can be very dangerous when the inner bearing then self tightens and the bearing locks up. You might reason that it is a toss up. Self loosening being just as bad as self tightening but a loose nut causes wheel wobble and noise and gives you warning time. The self tightening thing is very very rapid and happens all of a sudden with total wheel lock up.
Thanks Guys you saved me a wreck! It has threaded bearings just like a T only larger.
Howard Dennis
Left is right, right is left.
Left hand thread on the right side. Right hand thread on the left side.
Howard, what is your Maxwell?? I have a 1912 Model 30 touring car.
Stan, it's a 1917 Model 25 Light commercial chassis I'm trying to make into a speedster.
Howard Dennis