Driving the wheels off, really!

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Jumprun
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Driving the wheels off, really!

Post by Jumprun »

Check out the wheel failure I just discovered on a Campagnolo wheel. The symptoms were a subtle clunk and high frequency rumble.
Check out the elongated hole wear and the three worn bolts ready to snap off like the other 5.
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Jumprun
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Re: Driving the wheels off, really!

Post by Jumprun »

The wheel was really loose when I jacked it up and wiggled.
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Jumprun
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Re: Driving the wheels off, really!

Post by Jumprun »

Those thinned out bolts must have been machining themselves by spinning and vibrating on the steel splined hub. Of course five of the bolt ends and nuts were MIA, The lesson is never ignore the slightest noise or anomaly, I though it was going to be a bad half-shaft U joint.

Happy new year to all!
Tom in SoCal
Jimmyr
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Re: Driving the wheels off, really!

Post by Jimmyr »

I noticed no lock washers in the photo, missing or not shown? A good use of Locktite is also a is also advisable if the wheels were ever taken apart to paint.
DWR46
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Re: Driving the wheels off, really!

Post by DWR46 »

Jim: When the wheels are produced, the threaded ends of the bolts are deformed after they are tightened, to prevent them coming loose. Somebody has removed the nuts and possibly replaced the bolts and nuts. From the factory, they usually do not use lock washers (my memory and we all know how good that is!).
Jimmyr
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Re: Driving the wheels off, really!

Post by Jimmyr »

Dyke, you can see the mark in the mag where the lock washers dug in, and yes they peened the ends at the factory, but it seems these were removed at some time and not installed very well.
DWR46
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Re: Driving the wheels off, really!

Post by DWR46 »

Jim: I warned you about my memory. So you made me put on my coat and trudge through the cold out to the shop to look at wheels. I checked two sets of Compagnolos, a sunburst set and a square-hole set. Both sets use washers, but not what we normally refer to as "Lock Washers", but "Serrated" washers to "lock" the nuts. As we both mentioned, all the thread ends of the bolts are deformed to help prevent any loosening of the nuts.
Jimmyr
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Re: Driving the wheels off, really!

Post by Jimmyr »

Dyke, all of my mags had those serrated "lock" washers and I had a very hard time removing the centers because of the deformed bolt ends. Sent them to Skippy who painted them nice using the paint color you recommended. I noticed when cleaning up the threads the bolts and nuts were at least grade 10 or better. Finding new washers was a hard find, and I used Locktite in addition.
Jumprun
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Re: Driving the wheels off, really!

Post by Jumprun »

The remaining bolts had no lock washers but the nuts were still staked on, albeit quite loose.
I will check out the other wheels next week as I already took them off and put my Borannis on for now.
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tyang
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Re: Driving the wheels off, really!

Post by tyang »

Pretty scary!

I just did a set of Campagnolos and used the loctite and lockwashers. After seeing your pictures, I may go back and stake the bolts as well!

Tom
'63 330 America #5053
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