Loose lug nuts
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 145
Likes: 13
Loose lug nuts
Howdy all,
The lug nuts on my front tires keep coming loose. I had them tightened by a mechanic, drove it 2 miles, and the nuts were loose enough to turn by hand. I’m stumped. The forum member who restored the truck is stumped. My (old school) mechanics are stumped.
The wheels and lug nuts are not original. I’m replacing those with OEM wheels, new studs and nuts all the way around. Any other ideas?
Thanks,
Mike
The lug nuts on my front tires keep coming loose. I had them tightened by a mechanic, drove it 2 miles, and the nuts were loose enough to turn by hand. I’m stumped. The forum member who restored the truck is stumped. My (old school) mechanics are stumped.
The wheels and lug nuts are not original. I’m replacing those with OEM wheels, new studs and nuts all the way around. Any other ideas?
Thanks,
Mike
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,946
Likes: 118
That's what I would do. If they were torqued....that means with a calibrated torque wrench, not an impact...they should stay. I can't think of another reason that they would back off, unless your wheel is warped. Easy and inexpensive enough for the safety factor involved to change all as you intend. (could it even be that one or the other is metric and mismatched??)
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 145
Likes: 13
That's what I would do. If they were torqued....that means with a calibrated torque wrench, not an impact...they should stay. I can't think of another reason that they would back off, unless your wheel is warped. Easy and inexpensive enough for the safety factor involved to change all as you intend. (could it even be that one or the other is metric and mismatched??)
Waiting on the studs then replacing the whole mess …we’ll see if that fixes it!
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 4,463
Likes: 954
From: Tri Cities, TN
Wheel studs
If you go to a parts house and ask for wheel studs for your truck there is a 90% chance they will give you the wrong ones. You can take an original Ford stud and match it to one in this listing. As you can see there are a gazillion different 1/2-20 studs. If the hub or flange is worn and you can't get a good press fit you can pick another stud with a slightly larger knurl diameter.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 145
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If you go to a parts house and ask for wheel studs for your truck there is a 90% chance they will give you the wrong ones. You can take an original Ford stud and match it to one in this listing. As you can see there are a gazillion different 1/2-20 studs. If the hub or flange is worn and you can't get a good press fit you can pick another stud with a slightly larger knurl diameter.
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Tuned
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 362
Likes: 71
I had this trouble.
I replaced the brakes on the front, including the brake drums. The new brake drums had 2 sets of holes for the studs (10 holes). 5 of the holes measured 1/2" in diameter, the other 5 measured a little bit bigger. Knowing I had 1/2" studs I used the 1/2" holes.
The next morning while driving to work and returning home, I had to stop multiple times and tighten the lug nuts.
When I got home I removed the front wheels and looked closer.
Turns out I should of used the bigger holes that were in the brake drum. The splined portion of the studs are bigger than the threaded portion of the studs and the splined portion was holding the drums out away from the hub just a little bit.
I replaced the brakes on the front, including the brake drums. The new brake drums had 2 sets of holes for the studs (10 holes). 5 of the holes measured 1/2" in diameter, the other 5 measured a little bit bigger. Knowing I had 1/2" studs I used the 1/2" holes.
The next morning while driving to work and returning home, I had to stop multiple times and tighten the lug nuts.
When I got home I removed the front wheels and looked closer.
Turns out I should of used the bigger holes that were in the brake drum. The splined portion of the studs are bigger than the threaded portion of the studs and the splined portion was holding the drums out away from the hub just a little bit.
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 362
Likes: 71
It was the first thing I thought of when I read your post.
I hope you get your issue resolved quickly.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 102
Likes: 5
Another remote thought is you have anti-seize on the stud threads. I have been told that excessive antiseize can cause this, I did have this happen once on an F-100 I had, and was told my if a little is good, more is better theory caused my problem. Personally I think being overloaded had a big part in the drive wheels coming loose. On my P-100 I noticed that a couple of the nuts, while the same thread are one size smaller hex than what appears to be originals, so they don't fit the wheel the same. I wonder if that could be a factor on yours, I'm going to check mine today!
John
John
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 145
Likes: 13
Another remote thought is you have anti-seize on the stud threads. I have been told that excessive antiseize can cause this, I did have this happen once on an F-100 I had, and was told my if a little is good, more is better theory caused my problem. Personally I think being overloaded had a big part in the drive wheels coming loose. On my P-100 I noticed that a couple of the nuts, while the same thread are one size smaller hex than what appears to be originals, so they don't fit the wheel the same. I wonder if that could be a factor on yours, I'm going to check mine today!
John
John
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26,007
Likes: 575
From: Brentwood,CA
Howdy all,
The lug nuts on my front tires keep coming loose. I had them tightened by a mechanic, drove it 2 miles, and the nuts were loose enough to turn by hand. I’m stumped. The forum member who restored the truck is stumped. My (old school) mechanics are stumped.
The wheels and lug nuts are not original. I’m replacing those with OEM wheels, new studs and nuts all the way around. Any other ideas?
Thanks,
Mike
The lug nuts on my front tires keep coming loose. I had them tightened by a mechanic, drove it 2 miles, and the nuts were loose enough to turn by hand. I’m stumped. The forum member who restored the truck is stumped. My (old school) mechanics are stumped.
The wheels and lug nuts are not original. I’m replacing those with OEM wheels, new studs and nuts all the way around. Any other ideas?
Thanks,
Mike
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 145
Likes: 13
oh! the wheels and nuts don't match! I'm not with the truck now but I will send pics ... I'd love to know what is causing this. Thank you!
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