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Subtle Wheel Tricks
These tricks apply to either simply-modified or all-out machined
wheels. Just be sure they are not prohibited by your wheel rules.
(I would argue that anything not specifically prohibited is
permitted.)
These tricks fit in between the outside wheel prep and the final
polishing of the axle bore.
Tools and materials you'll need:
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Right-hand and left-hand 4-40 taps
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Tap wrench
What are we doing with taps???
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Tapping the I.D. of the axle bore reduces the surface
area in contact between the wheel and axle. Less
surface area means less friction which means a faster
car.
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Tapping the I.D. also creates space where the graphite
or other lubricant will collect and maintain lubrication
through the multiple heats of a race.
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Tapping right-hand wheels with a left-handed tap and
left-hand wheels with a right-handed tap tends to pull
the wheels out away from the painted car body and against
the polished metal heads of the nails. Again, this
lowers friction.
Steps to follow:
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Split your collection of partly-prepared wheels into
two equal piles. Label one pile "right" and the
other "left". Right and left here refer to the
side of the car on which they will be installed.
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One by one, carefully tap the "right" wheels
with the left-handed tap. Make sure you get the tap
started straight down the axle bore and don't "cock"
it to the side as you are tapping.
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Now do the same to the "left" wheels but with the
right-handed tap.
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Finally, pick up at the point in the "simple wheel
preparation" where you clean up the flash and polish
the axle bores.
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