Topic: Wheel thread restoration?

[Bonz55]

I'm having a problem getting the front wheel spacer to screw into the wheel hub. It looks like the threading inside the hub is pretty worn although it's hard to tell at what point the threads are causing a problem. They don't look brand new that's for sure.

The mechanic refused to work on it so I'm stuck trying to figure it out myself I suppose. I have a very small screw driver I've been lightly running along the threads to try and see any obvious problems and clear any bunched aluminum out.

Aside from that, any suggestions?

[calj737]

Best to get a matching tap and run that along the threads. A screw driver is NOT a good idea.

[MCRider]

Best to get a matching tap and run that along the threads. A screw driver is NOT a good idea.

That's right. Get a matching tap, push it into the offending threads and then force it around the opening.

I've also heard that its easy for a machine shop to fix, though I've never asked.
Either way you may have to drive out the bearing and render it unusable.

[evanphi]

Then put your retaining ring back on. But first you'll want to clean up those threads. They are pretty soft metal, so easily done! The thread pitch for the retaining ring on the front wheel is 1.5mm, the same as an M10 bolt. Luckily that is the same as the oil drain plug. I just changed mine so I had the old one kicking around. Run that bolt with plenty of pressure around the retaining ring, and also on the hub inner threads. Any spots that are especially warped, like on mine where I used a punch to turn it out, and where the original stakes were drilled out, use a small jeweler's file to get rid of the big chunks, then the M10 to reshape.

From my build thread

[MCRider]

Great tip Evan. I have spare drain plugs and a buggered up hub, now I can fix it!   

[flybox1]

My 350F had wasted threads on both hubs.   I bought a set of jewelers files for under $20, all had small tips of different shapes and bends.
It took an evening to clean them up, but it worked well enough to easily thread in a new retainer(blue loctite), and those bearings wont have to be changed for 40+ years.

[70CB750]

+1 on tap, fixed my wheel with it.