you wrote
> Reply to: RE>>RE: Wire Wheel-splined hub ...loose fit
>
>Or, maybe some metalurgy experts will tell us that the stress and vibration
>through the joint will somehow break down the metal....
> Well I guess I will have to come out of the closet and admit that I
have
>a degree in metallurgy. As for the wear, no matter how tight a fit one has
>between rotating parts there is always some tolerence between the parts.
>(Even more tolerence if your hub nut is not tight.) During acceleration
(and
>to a lesser degree during braking.) this space is removed and the parts
come
>together causing the material to slowly cold work and change shape.
>Eventially the material wears away. A lack a grease causes more friction,
>thus more heat and the metal wears faster. The front wheels since they are
>not driven wheels do not see the acceleration loads and do not wear out.
Keep
>them tight and greased and they should last a long time. Tom
Although I agree with most every thing that is said with respect this statement, I would like to point out two important points.
1) The brakes are attached to the hubs and thus the tire/wheels will put significant "1000+ pound feet of torque potential" force on these splines during hard braking.
2) Front hubs see the same if not more negative torque during hard braking.
The difference between the front and rear hubs is the fact that the rear splines see constant torque reversal and thus more wear. Front hubs will still wear and be distorted at the splines but at a lower rate.
Keep up the good work!
Jarrid Gross.