Cup and cone bearing adjust

[Brian Smith]

Originally Posted by redir

I wonder if it's the threads that compress in a bit b/c I just cannot imagine a short steel pipe could compress over that short a distance? I am not metallurgist though. But on a micro level I can at least envision the 'kerfed' threads bending. or just the minute wiggle room between thread and nut?

No, that's not it, it's the fact that it is a (relatively) thinwall cylinder, in comparison to a bar, even a threaded bar. Compare the required adjustment required for exactly the same hub but using a solid axle, and you'll prove this to yourself. Same nuts, cones, bearings, hub, but different axle and clamping mechanism - different adjustment requirement.