I just tore down my driver side front wheel assembly to replace the ball joints. My hub had so much rust in it I decided to replace the assembly. I had to go to a Ford stealer and get the hub because I’m leaving on a trip and I can’t wait. My pocket book took a hit. I got four new studs and I’m wondering if I should use Loctite on them or not? Any tips on how tight to turn the studs into the hub etc. Seems like it would not matter because the way you turn the nuts to tighten them is the same way you turn the studs to tighten them too. No way for the stud to turn out as you put the nuts on. I would like to add that trying to get the bottom ball joint out of a F-350 with 120K on it is $&@#$&*#((#*@&%@#*(#*(#@*$@#(#$(#*$#@%@&%@%@%^ HARD! I figured my garage was going to have a truck stuck in it until X-mas. I called the local shop to get some ideas and the guy said he new of people loosening the nuts on the upper and bottom joints and driving the truck around hoping the joints would break lose. He said just get a big sledge hammer and say some prayers. Took me half the day to get it off but pressure and some heat did the trick. Never been soooo happy when that thing hit the floor.

 

I did not loctite mine. I "double-nutted" the stud and tightened it into the hub with a long handled 1/2" drive ratchet. Been in there for 45,000 miles before doing ball joints with no fear of coming loose.

 

I'm one that uses loctite a lot. It's not gonna hurt anything by putting some on the threads that go into the hub. I'd use the red. I agree with the double nut technique to get the studs in there.