Left-Hand Thread Lugnuts. Why???
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More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 547
Likes: 11
Left-Hand Thread Lugnuts. Why???
I didn't want to hijack the other thread but I need to ask because I've never heard of left-hand thread lugnuts.
Were these stock equipment from Ford?
Why were they used or needed?
What purpose do they serve over right-hand thread lugnuts?
Dennis
Were these stock equipment from Ford?
Why were they used or needed?
What purpose do they serve over right-hand thread lugnuts?
Dennis
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,038
Likes: 4
From: South west Idaho
First time I heard about left hand nuts on a Ford too. I knew they were on a few cars back in the 1930s ,40s and 50s , on a lot of Chrysler products on the passenger side only. What years Ford did they come on and what series ? New one on me , i guess i'm not to old to learn something new.__
__JIM
__JIM
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,038
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From: South west Idaho
That i know but how about Ford ? That was my question , i have owned a few that way but not a Ford.
.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 388
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From: Sandy Eggo
it was pretty standard practice back in the day on heavy duty pickup trucks. "L" stamped into the end of the stud is a dead giveaway, as well as a "notch" stamped onto the hex of the nut (most LH nuts are this way).
its pretty simple, same concept as bike pedals and crank bearings. personally, I prefer it, but if you are having someone change your tires for you, you definitely need to make them aware. most tire store guys nowadays would just hammer away at it in the wrong direction till they either strip a stud or crack your wheel.
its pretty simple, same concept as bike pedals and crank bearings. personally, I prefer it, but if you are having someone change your tires for you, you definitely need to make them aware. most tire store guys nowadays would just hammer away at it in the wrong direction till they either strip a stud or crack your wheel.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
Well Ok.
Was there a big rash of passenger side wheels departing from the vehicle though, back in the day?
Guessing manufacturers wouldn't have gone through the trouble of doing this - though nobody seems to bother with it anymore, either. Hm.
Was there a big rash of passenger side wheels departing from the vehicle though, back in the day?
Guessing manufacturers wouldn't have gone through the trouble of doing this - though nobody seems to bother with it anymore, either. Hm.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Kansas
it was the driver's side that used left-hand threads...
:::MoparMax::: Steve Mags Speaks - The Mystery of Left-Hand Lug Nuts - 05/03/10
:::MoparMax::: Steve Mags Speaks - The Mystery of Left-Hand Lug Nuts - 05/03/10
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Courtenay, BC, Canada
Yeah I banged out the left hand studs on my '73 scs project and put all right hand threaded studs and lug nuts on my truck. Science and common sense has changed the general world view on mixing left and right handed wheel fasteners on one vehicle.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
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From: Waterloo, Iowa
Back in the day, tires didn't last long at all, and flats were more common. So it's probably true a visit to the tire shop or garage and wheel service was more frequent and seasonal snow tire changeout, etc. maybe it made a certain kind of sense.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 100
Likes: 2
From: Superior AZ
Was it only one wheel with left hand threads on these trucks? I have a '74 F350 only the rear pass side has left hand, I read somewhere on here they only had one wheel with left hand threads, instead of front and rear on the pass side. I thought someone over the years replaced a worn front rotor so mine ended up this way. Any insight?
Cross-Country
Joined: May 2025
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From: PNW
It's back from the grave!
Was it only one wheel with left hand threads on these trucks? I have a '74 F350 only the rear pass side has left hand, I read somewhere on here they only had one wheel with left hand threads, instead of front and rear on the pass side. I thought someone over the years replaced a worn front rotor so mine ended up this way. Any insight?
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,767
Likes: 2,590
From: The Shenandoah Valley
I know Chrysler products used them on the left side up into the late '60s anyways, was before torque wrenches were in everyone's tool budget, unless building engines .... etc. I never even saw one in use until early '70s, one just tightened things good'n'tight as seemed proper. People relied on 4 ways, and learned no to stand on them. I remember even seeing NASCAR pit crews using 4 ways, skillfully (seen a few drive down pit road and throw one off too). Had a great uncle once explain how it was believed that if a nut or nuts were a hair not tigt, the forces of braking would tend to tighten, not loosen a nut.
Must have worked, as I never saw a left side run away wheel.
Was Chrysler started with "Safety rims" too as I recall, the hump that keeps a tire bead seated like if low or flat..
Must have worked, as I never saw a left side run away wheel.
Was Chrysler started with "Safety rims" too as I recall, the hump that keeps a tire bead seated like if low or flat..
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2018
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Real trucks have used LH threads on the left side forever and they still do. I question if it really has ever prevented a lug from loosening but that's the way it is.
My '79 F350 CC has LH threads from the factory. my '70 Challenger does too but it was a 1 year thing.
My '79 F350 CC has LH threads from the factory. my '70 Challenger does too but it was a 1 year thing.