Hub/Spinner thread/size

[vernon.taylor]

Salut

Had a quick search but didn't find the answer - what is the size and thread of the spinners? I'm asking because SCparts have some cheap octagonal spinners that they say are comptible Lotus amongst others - 42mm 8tpi.

Merci et @+

Vernon

[rcraven]

When I made a hub puller for my Sprint I measured the thread as being 2.17 inches outside diameter and 10 tpi, so that's nothing like your figures. (I think Elan and Plus 2 spinners are the same size, aren't they?).
Might they be for some other Lotus?

[ericbushby]

I have just been out to check. Mine are also 2.17 inches diameter and 10 TPI.
They may be cheap but they won`t fit.
Eric in Burnley
1967 S3SE Type 45 (Up on stands, resting!!)

[alan.barker]

hi Vernon,
what wheels are you using, alloy or steel. If you use hexagonal spinners be sure they are correct for your wheels. For alloy wheels they are different to steel wheels and are clearly marked only for alloy
Alan B

[elj221c]

If you use hexagonal spinners be sure they are correct for your wheels. For alloy wheels they are different to steel wheels and are clearly marked only for alloy
Alan B

I'm curious. Does anyone have any idea why this is the case. I assume that all the three eared jobs are the same?

[vernon.taylor]

Salut Alain

Thanks for that info - didn't know that. I had bid on some just the other day and lost, so maybe it wasn't such a bad thing.

Like Roy I don't see the reason or logic. Are they supposed to be used without the centre metal ring on alloys? I've only ever seen them with alloys - do they exist for metal rims?

@+

Vernon

[alan.barker]

the alloys should always be fitted with the metal rings, whether they are hexagonal or normal spinners. I understand that the angle or machined radius are different. When i see that someone has used normal spinners with Lotus alloys i have doubts if they are correct. Also the use of hexagonal spinners means you can tighten to the correct torque with no damage.
Alan B

[CBUEB1771]

I'm asking because SCparts have some cheap octagonal spinners that they say are comptible Lotus amongst others - 42mm 8tpi.

That has to be for 42 mm Rudge-Whitworth splined hubs as used on Lotus Mark IX, XI, Elite, Series 1 Seven, and others with wire wheels. Those hubs are 42 mm x 8 TPI. I suppose that the octagonal nut would have been used on MGBs and others in markets where safety laws eliminated the use of two and three-eared nuts.

[vernon.taylor]

Merci for the information, Russ.

@+

Vernon

[CBUEB1771]

The octagonal 42 mm x 8 TPI knock-on nuts can be seen here on a S1 Seven at Mike Brotherwood's site:
http://www.mikebrotherwood.com/S17.html

[ricarbo]

I am pretty sure I recall a warning from Club Lotus, in the Graham Arnold days, that the spinners for alloy and steel wheels were different. Different bevel, angle or slope if you like, if I remember. Meaning it would appear to fit ok, but only touch the wheel at one point instead of uniformly across the area it should touch. Presumably, one could measure the differences fairly easily. Just what I recall.
Richard

[CBUEB1771]

I am pretty sure I recall a warning from Club Lotus, in the Graham Arnold days, that the spinners for alloy and steel wheels were different.

It is more than just a Club Lotus warning. The +2 work shop manual states in Section G, page 9 that the wheel nuts for steel and alloy wheels are different and cannot be interchanged. I do find it curious that the service parts list shows no part number for wheel nuts for alloy wheels, only differences for left- and right-hand threads and I believe three-eared and octagonal variants. Most of the usual suspects with on-line parts catalogues also show no differences between variants for steel and alloy wheels.

[Robbie693]

Most of the usual suspects with on-line parts catalogues also show no differences between variants for steel and alloy wheels.

This is what I found. In fact, last time I bought new spinners I wasn't asked whether they were for alloy or steel. I have never seen ones marked 'For alloy use only' in the flesh. Both of my cars have had octagonal nuts fitted and they weren't marked either, apart from the 'UNDO' arrow.

Were the thrust rings on the alloy wheels fitted from new or are they a later addition to standardise the nuts/spinners for both alloy and steel wheels?

Robbie