HFS

Well Known Member
If (for whatever reason) the cotter key hole in your axle & nut do not line up to your liking, you can easily solve that problem in one of two ways -

By machining the face of the nut - Since the thread pitch of the axle nut is 16 tpi, it means that for every "flat" advancement, there will be .01041" of movement toward the wheel spacer (or bearing) ((1/16)/6). So, if, for example, you are a half a "flat" tight, just face off .01041/2 = .0052", and you should be good to go.

By adding shims - To move the nut away from the wheel spacer (or bearing). Using the example above, you need a ~ .0052 spacer to make the holes line up. McMaster-Carr (Aviation Division) P/N 92022A347 Stainless Steel Ring Shim - 1.25 i.d. x 1.75 o.d. x .005, that will do the job within .0002 - close enough for me ...

HFS