Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Problem with Spinner

Just got around to installing a new shiny set of spinners on the car, well almost. The new left rear spinner will not thread down onto the hub as the old banged up one does, it doesn't even make it a full revolution. I tried the old left front spinner on the same hub and it too does not spin down.

Somehow I guess the threads on the hub have become fouled and will only accept the old spinner. The threads on visual inspection of both the old spinner and hub look fine, but must be stretched. Is there any way a machine shop could remedy this, or could I try heating up the hub or new spinner and tryin to thread it on. The last thing I want is my wheel passing me down the road.

Thanks,
RT

RT

I assume that you are absolutely certain that you have the spinners on the correct side of the car . The threads are different , one is right handed , the other is left.

Over tightening the spinners can lead to stretching the thread , so it is not impossible to envisage this might have happened. I personally would to trust a machine shop to re-groove the spinner, and even less so the hub. Replace both spinners and hubs together. Since you have already done the former , looks like the latter will also need doing.

Hahahahaha! Come on.... who wouldn't know that?

Oh.

Hang on.

Me!

When I first got my Morgan I overlooked this vital bit of Morganeering!

Felt rather foolish.

And.......is the right hand side of the car with you facing it or sitting in the car?

That's the beauty of alloys....no need for any of this angst!

RT – Acknowledging the caveat above, we’ve all had them muddled before. If it was mine and I suspected the threads on the hub were an issue I would try this first before changing the hub. You may be lucky and just have a smallish tight/damaged spot.


Clean up the old hub threads with Scotch bright or fine emery until they are bright and clean. Then get an eye glass (about x10) and a bright light an examine the thread form all around. You are looking for any bruising or burring of the thread profile that may stop the spinner from going on. If you do find any, with patient and a small tapered needle file you may be able to restore the thread sufficiently to slowly accept the new spinner. Obviously take it very slowly and work from the outside of the hub in. Don’t remove too much metal and don’t force anything. You should only be looking to remove a few thou at most and maintain the original thread form (don’t round the peaks). Keep working the spinner on and off to see if you are making progress. If you mark the hub thread with a black marker pen as you go you may see any tight spots where the spinner threads rubs and the ink is removed.

I wouldn’t recommend using heat. You may get it together when it’s hot but it might not come apart again when cold!

Good luck.

Is the spinner incorrectly labelled? Silly question but worth seeing if it will thread on the other side if you haven't already done so.

Has the right hub been fitted?

The new spinner is marked for the appropriate side and goes onto the front wheel fine The hub is also the correct sided one To tighten on that side i am turning the spinner clockwise (opposit the arrow on the spinner that says undo).

Roger thanks - I'll do what you recommended and see if that helps! If not, a new hub it is.

Read

Also by left side of the car, i mean the Passenger side in a RHD car.

I know, but I think it was seeing those silver spinners glinting at me in that little Cornish show room that sealed the deal - I was on it like a Prince on a model.