Re: IML: Changing the Left to Right

["Dr David George Briant" <drdgb@xxxxxxx>]

Regarding the LHT thread--I recall riding in an all RHT Model A Ford in 1939 
when I spotted a wheel from the left side go spiraling off into a ditch--and 
a second or so later the driver's shout, "we've lost a wheel" followed by an 
instant crisis.

Trailering experience revealed a tendency of RHT practice on the left wheel 
or wheels meant regular torque checks to avoid loosening and eventual wheel 
loss.  Indeed, we nearly lost a 1942 Chrysler that way on a trip from the 
California coast to Arizona when one of the two left side wheels on a 
borrowed trailer lost hardware and scored the hub as other drivers kindly 
spotted the cloud of smoke (just in time).

Over more than fifty years I have cheerfully stayed close and personal, 
including proper torquing, regarding any wheel/tire work not done 
personally!  That includes, of course, those Safety Rim wheel rims 
introduced across all Chrysler Corporation passenger car lines just prior to 
the USA entering World War II.

Happy Imperialist....


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tom H" <tom_in_a2@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, September 11, 2006 12:54 PM
Subject: Re: IML: Changing the Left to Right


> This has been quite an interesting discussion.
> Actually I always thought the right-hand threads were
> just one of those little eccentricities of Mopars
> (apart from the engineering rationale), kind of like
> how Ford used to have the ignition switch on the left
> of the steering column.
>
> --- Frederick Joslin <fljoslin@xxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> > Hi Nigel:
> >
> > Disagreeing is fine.
> >
> > I know why Chrysler used left hand threads on the
> > driver's side. I was
> > not aware of other makes that did, but most of my
> > knowledge is 60's and
> > 70's American vehicles. I grew up in England in the
> > 60's but do not know
> > much about the cars.
> >
> > I just think that history has shown that it was not
> > necessary to use left
> > handed thread lug nuts. I would guess that the left
> > hand threads have
> > caused more problems than they "might" have solved.
> >
> >  If I was an automotive engineer in the position of
> > choosing whether to
> > use left hand threaded lug nuts you would have to
> > really prove to me that
> > the right handed ones did not work. I lived in St
> > Louis for ten years in
> > the "Show Me State" and you would have to show me.
> > :)
> >
> > Thanks.
>
>
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