wheel nut/stud lube
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wheel nut/stud lube
My F350 owners guide says; "Do not apply motor oil to the wheel nut threads or the wheel stud threads."
I have for many years applied a light lube to these threads to prevent rusting of the threads and make it easier to get the nuts off and on.
Is this saying that it is not good to apply, specifically, motor oil?
Or should I take that to mean that *ANY* lube on these threads is bad?
Anyone know why Ford would make this explicit statement?
2003 F350 Regular Cab XLT 4WD V10 6-Spd 3.73LS - Ordered 06-Sep; Received 14-Nov
I have for many years applied a light lube to these threads to prevent rusting of the threads and make it easier to get the nuts off and on.
Is this saying that it is not good to apply, specifically, motor oil?
Or should I take that to mean that *ANY* lube on these threads is bad?
Anyone know why Ford would make this explicit statement?
2003 F350 Regular Cab XLT 4WD V10 6-Spd 3.73LS - Ordered 06-Sep; Received 14-Nov
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: IN FRONT OF YOU
wheel nut/stud lube
I use never sieze, I've always been told lube or oil is bad, because it would be easier for them to work their way off. Probably a myth, but I have never had any problems.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Memphis, TN
wheel nut/stud lube
Anti-seize on everything: lugs, exhaust bolts, oxygen sensor, body mounts, leaf spring bolts; pretty much any machine-threaded fastener.
http://www.webphotos.com/list_photos_edit.asp?mi=1&smi=1&a=13217
http://www.webphotos.com/list_photos_edit.asp?mi=1&smi=1&a=13217
Senior User
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From: san diego usa
wheel nut/stud lube
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 30-Nov-02 AT 03:09 PM (EST)]The lugs stretch the studs so that they "clamp" the wheel to the mounting surface. The stud can be stretch to a certain limit, beyond which it will fail. If you torque a lubed nut/stud to the same torque as a dry one, the lubed one will be stretched more, increasing the possibility that it will snap.
The reason they give you a dry reading is because that's how it's designed. Dry fasteners have less of a tendency to back off with vibration, and a dry thread can give fairly consistent readings. A lubed thread will give different readings depending on the type and quantity of lube.
I've never heard of problems with lubing them, that's just the technical explanation. But I think if you keep them dry and torque them as recommended, that's best.
The reason they give you a dry reading is because that's how it's designed. Dry fasteners have less of a tendency to back off with vibration, and a dry thread can give fairly consistent readings. A lubed thread will give different readings depending on the type and quantity of lube.
I've never heard of problems with lubing them, that's just the technical explanation. But I think if you keep them dry and torque them as recommended, that's best.
Post Fiend
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From: Atlanta GA
wheel nut/stud lube
FWIW: Ford itself sells lube for studs in a squeeze bottle. I think it is graphite based.
On the older Ford trucks and vans, say 1979, with the two piece nut you were suppose to put a drop of oil on the nut, not the stud. Maybe this is a hold over warning deemed worthy of including.
On the older Ford trucks and vans, say 1979, with the two piece nut you were suppose to put a drop of oil on the nut, not the stud. Maybe this is a hold over warning deemed worthy of including.
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Junior User
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wheel nut/stud lube
That is what I have...the two-piece nut.
The owner's guide does say to put a drop of oil on the nut; but to not put oil on the threads.
Thanks for the responses.
2003 F350 Regular Cab XLT 4WD V10 6-Spd 3.73LS - Ordered 06-Sep; Received 14-Nov
The owner's guide does say to put a drop of oil on the nut; but to not put oil on the threads.
Thanks for the responses.
2003 F350 Regular Cab XLT 4WD V10 6-Spd 3.73LS - Ordered 06-Sep; Received 14-Nov
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wheel nut/stud lube
I too, use anti-seize on the lugs. Never had a problem; no loose wheels or broken studs. I do use the proper torque (80-90 ft lbs), and tighten in a criss-cross pattern. The pattern is very important, in my opinion.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Atlanta GA
wheel nut/stud lube
> What the heck is a two-piece nut?
Looks like a lugnut with a washer put on the rim side. Most often found on the (older and) heavier duty axles, I think they used them on vans too. They are often mated with a fine threaded stud which when rusty can take forever to take off even with a strong 1/2 impact gun.
Once worked on a truck that had one left hand threaded stud on two of the wheels. I could not budge the lug for anything, even with my 600 ft lb impact. I then invited the tire guy for a go at it with his 3/4 impact. Nothing! Then I started going back and forth and it loosen in the wrong direction. I do not even know where someone found a left handed stud, never mind lugnut! Never can tell what you will find on a 20 year old truck.
I am just surprised that the stud never broke, it must have been 100% Ford tough!
Looks like a lugnut with a washer put on the rim side. Most often found on the (older and) heavier duty axles, I think they used them on vans too. They are often mated with a fine threaded stud which when rusty can take forever to take off even with a strong 1/2 impact gun.
Once worked on a truck that had one left hand threaded stud on two of the wheels. I could not budge the lug for anything, even with my 600 ft lb impact. I then invited the tire guy for a go at it with his 3/4 impact. Nothing! Then I started going back and forth and it loosen in the wrong direction. I do not even know where someone found a left handed stud, never mind lugnut! Never can tell what you will find on a 20 year old truck.
I am just surprised that the stud never broke, it must have been 100% Ford tough!
