23-05-2020, 09:58 AM
Jon,
I think that the unthreaded nose was to align the plug in the threaded hole so that one didn't cross-thread it when refitting, having greased the hubs in the approved manner. personally, I never grease the hubs like that. As Bob Culver has pointed out, just packing the bearings with grease is sufficient between stripdowns. It stops excess grease getting onto the brake linings.
But, yes, I can see your point that it was something that could have been better thought out. On the other hand, it is extremely difficult to make something as complicated as a motor car completely idiot proof.
I think that the unthreaded nose was to align the plug in the threaded hole so that one didn't cross-thread it when refitting, having greased the hubs in the approved manner. personally, I never grease the hubs like that. As Bob Culver has pointed out, just packing the bearings with grease is sufficient between stripdowns. It stops excess grease getting onto the brake linings.
But, yes, I can see your point that it was something that could have been better thought out. On the other hand, it is extremely difficult to make something as complicated as a motor car completely idiot proof.