Strange hole in wire wheel hub

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Topic author
lcleeton
Posts: 12
Joined: Tue Sep 15, 2020 6:14 pm
First Name: Lawrence
Last Name: Cleeton
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1914 Touring, 1926 Runabout
Location: Butler, PA
Board Member Since: 2020

Strange hole in wire wheel hub

Post by lcleeton » Sat Feb 03, 2024 6:22 pm

On my recently acquired 26 Runabout, one of the five wire wheels has this hole in the hub. Any ideas why it is there? I've considered it could be used for some kind of lock like a bicycle cable lock, but there doesn't seem to be a way to use a cable lock on the spare tire mount.

Image
Last edited by lcleeton on Sun Feb 04, 2024 12:05 am, edited 1 time in total.


got10carz
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Location: Moorhead MN

Re: Strange hole in wire wheel hub

Post by got10carz » Sat Feb 03, 2024 7:49 pm

My only guess is it's there to access a grease zerk tapped into the hub.


John kuehn
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Re: Strange hole in wire wheel hub

Post by John kuehn » Sat Feb 03, 2024 8:24 pm

A grease zerk in the hub isn’t a bad idea. Slowly turn the wheel to see if you can see one.

I wouldn’t worry about it either way unless you’re a purist.

User avatar

Humblej
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* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Canadian coupe, 1924 TT C-cab, 1924 runabout
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Re: Strange hole in wire wheel hub

Post by Humblej » Sat Feb 03, 2024 8:36 pm

A lot happens over the course of 100 years with different owners and mechanics making their mods and inflicting abuse, some sort of port for greasing the hub is a good guess. Hard to tell from the picture, is that chipped paint or a hole next to the lug nuts?
Last edited by Humblej on Sun Feb 04, 2024 7:40 am, edited 1 time in total.


DHort
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Re: Strange hole in wire wheel hub

Post by DHort » Sat Feb 03, 2024 9:55 pm

That is for the cicadas to rest during the day.


Topic author
lcleeton
Posts: 12
Joined: Tue Sep 15, 2020 6:14 pm
First Name: Lawrence
Last Name: Cleeton
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1914 Touring, 1926 Runabout
Location: Butler, PA
Board Member Since: 2020

Re: Strange hole in wire wheel hub

Post by lcleeton » Mon Feb 05, 2024 4:00 pm

Humblej wrote:
Sat Feb 03, 2024 8:36 pm
A lot happens over the course of 100 years with different owners and mechanics making their mods and inflicting abuse, some sort of port for greasing the hub is a good guess. Hard to tell from the picture, is that chipped paint or a hole next to the lug nuts?
Just chipped paint with some rust behind it. I'm going to restore the wheels.


nicklm
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Last Name: Miller
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 touring
Location: NRedington Bch, FL

Re: Strange hole in wire wheel hub

Post by nicklm » Mon Feb 05, 2024 5:16 pm

If you have a mounting for a spare in the middle of the back of the car, it could be for a wire for a stop light.

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