Originally Posted by
HillRider
Thinking about this "logically" will lead you to the wrong conclusion. For example, English drive-side bottom bracket cups loosen by turning clockwise and the drive-side crank and spindle also turn clockwise so you would conclude the cranking motion would loosen them. Obviously it doesn't.
What you have to realize is that while the crank is turning clockwise the bearing balls inside are rotating the opposite way and that motion tends to keep the cup tight.
No.
A rotating shaft (pedal axle, BB spindle) exhibits orbital motion in the direction opposite to its rotation.
If the balls are generating enough friction to affect a properly tightened pedal or BB someone needs to learn how to adjust bearings.