Safety wiring knock offs

[Maurice Butler]

Originally Posted by twobjshelbys

There are two schools of thought:

1. The conventional safety stuff I've seen everywhere says the wire should be applied in the direction that would tighten the nut. So if you are on a clockwise thread (right turn) the wire should be applied to a wheel spoke in the same clockwise direction so as to pull the hub (to prevent it from losening). Some even put a little loop in the middle so that it as it loosens it tightens the cable and the slack goes away.

2. The other school of though is that you apply the wire in the other direction such that loosening provides slack that you can see.

Remember, on the track or on the road, #2 only happens before the drive and after. During the drive #1 always works. While driving the safety wire might even prevent the hub from falling off. The small loop to detect loosening is maybe a good idea but if the shift is sudden it is a weak point and the wire could snap and lose the protection.

In practice safety wires are used to keep the nut tight. Often in places where visual inspection is difficult.

I will be rewiring mine to #1.

Aircraft industry only ever uses #1 and it is under tension, no slack.

NOB's get there butts kicked if they try #2, like running round the hanger with a sign telling everyone they are a dic* head