Bicycle Mechanics - Stripped rear hub...what now?

I had a flat in the rear wheel of my '73 Schwinn and when I removed the nuts from the rear hub, I see that one of the bolts is stripped (I don't think it was my doing - I didn't have to apply much pressure at all to have the nut spinning freely). New tube, wheel on bike - now I can't get it on tight enough - the nut on the stripped side can't get enough grip. A stroll around the block reveals that the rear wheel now wobbles.

Is that hub now scrap in need of replacing - or is there a way to salvage this situation?

if you know anyone with a die set, you could recut those threads, possibly. Other than that a new axle would solve your problem.

It might be cheaper to get a whole new hub (or a whole used hub from a garage sale bicycle). Or just salvage the axle from this used hub.

Goodwill has a Schwinn Varsity in my size - looks to be mid-70s - solid working order...$7.50. I might just snag that to have two similar bikes to tinker with.

Are you sure it's not the nut that's stripped? Try switching the nuts with one another; that will tell you. Much cheaper and easier repair if it's the nut.

If not, it's not the hub that's bad, but the axle. It would probably be easier to replace the axle than the whole hub. You don't really "replace a hub", you rebuild the wheel with a new hub, salvaging the existing rim (and probably having to use new spokes). But unless the rim is in museum shape, it's not worth that much trouble/money. Your better options are:

1) Replace the axle. Get a freewheel remover and remove the freewheel. Take the locknut and bearing cone off one side, and carefully set aside the bearings. Then pull the axle out slightly on the other side, and carefully set aside those bearings. Now you can pull the axle out entirely. Switch the remaining locknut/cone from the old axle to the new. Slide the new axle in place, repacking and replacing the bearings in the process. Repack and replace the other bearings, and install the cone/locknut. Put the freewheel back on. You might even be able to "upgrade" to a QR by getting a hollow axle and skewer.

2) A whole "new" wheel. Shop around thrift stores, garage sales, auctions, etc. for a bike of similar vintage, with a compatible decent rear wheel.

I had a flat in the rear wheel of my '73 Schwinn and when I removed the nuts from the rear hub, I see that one of the bolts is stripped (I don't think it was my doing - I didn't have to apply much pressure at all to have the nut spinning freely). New tube, wheel on bike - now I can't get it on tight enough - the nut on the stripped side can't get enough grip. A stroll around the block reveals that the rear wheel now wobbles.

Is that hub now scrap in need of replacing - or is there a way to salvage this situation?

I'd say that the "A" solution would be to replace the axle. The "B" solution would be to put an additional washer under the nut on the end of the axle that's stripped. That'll allow the nut to find some fresher threads to work with.

I think I went with "C" solution - go to goodwill and buy another bike for $7.50 :)

This time around it looks to be a Puch Pathfinder. I don't know anything about this bike, except that it has all the same components as my World Traveler, so everything should be interchangeable to always keep one bike on the road.

That Varsity was gone, or I would have gotten another Schwinn.