Spindle Question

[04offroader]

I have an aspire rear on my 93 festiva and have a question about the reverse spindle threading. When I did the swap I went for the adage of tightening towards the front of the vehicle, meaning reverse threads on drivers side. I've seen a few posts recently that suggest it should be on the passenger side. Can anyone confirm this? If so is there a logical reason why?

[fastivaca]

Reverse threads on passenger side. I don't have a logical reason

Sent from somewhere west of here via Tapatalk!

[04offroader]

Thanks, From what I gather I guess that's how they built them. The confusing part is that means the wheel is naturally trying to loosen the nut on both sides, which defeats the purpose of reverse threading. (regardless of the spindle washer) Any chance you know if the tab on the spindle mount should be on the top or bottom?

[Team Lightning]

Sorry Duplicate post.

[Team Lightning]

All the tabs I've dealt with are on the top. That's the spot where the nut is bent into the axle to secure it.

[04offroader]

All the tabs I've dealt with are on the top. Tha'ts the spot where the nut is bent into the axle to secure it.

The tab i'm describing is on the base of the rear spindle mount pictured here (in black) on the bottom, that seemed like the logical fit. But while I have them apart I figured id see if there was a proper way to put them back on.
IMG_1526.jpg

[Team Lightning]

It looks correct to me from your photo.

[rmoltis]

The passenger side spindle is left hand threads.
And the driver side should be right handed threads.

I'm assuming its so that the nut wouldn't by some chance become overly tightened
And bind the wheel bearing and increase rolling resistance.

But on the same note it shouldn't come loose or become tightened
Since there is a wheel bearing nut cover that locks the nut in place
and has a codder pin through the spindle to hold itself (wheel bearing nut cover)in the correct position.


Also in the factory service manual.
All the illustrations/pictures shows that flat spot/tab on the spindle on the top side.

[sc72]

I'm confused, he says his Aspire spindles use crimp nuts, all of my Aspire spindles have cotter pins and castle nuts, is there a difference in Aspire years.

[Team Lightning]

All mine have the crimp nuts. I have 2 Aspire swapped cars. 1 is a 96 and the other is a 97.

[rmoltis]

Both my aspires have had the wheel bearing nut covers with the codder pin through the spindle.
Years 95+96.

I think previous owners may have just had maintenance done.
And the mechanics used crimp nuts on certain vehicles.

The factory service manual breakdown of the rear drums shows wheels bearing nut covers & codder pins only.

But I only have the 96 model year fsm.

[04offroader]

The passenger side spindle is left hand threads.
And the driver side should be right handed threads.

I'm assuming its so that the nut wouldn't by some chance become overly tightened
And bind the wheel bearing and increase rolling resistance.

But on the same note it shouldn't come loose or become tightened
Since there is a wheel bearing nut cover that locks the nut in place
and has a codder pin through the spindle to hold itself (wheel bearing nut cover)in the correct position.


Also in the factory service manual.
All the illustrations/pictures shows that flat spot/tab on the spindle on the top side.

Thanks, I haven't been able to find a diagram for the rear, should be interesting because I'm not sure it will fit in the backing plate that way. I had a bearing failure as you can see in the picture and it knackered up the spindle. The nut was half melted, the outer bearing completely gone but luckily it was the normally threaded one so hopefully re-cutting the threads won't be too much of a chore. Don't suppose anyone has spare spindle nuts?

[Bert]

I'm confused, he says his Aspire spindles use crimp nuts, all of my Aspire spindles have cotter pins and castle nuts, is there a difference in Aspire years.

Count your blessings. Castle nuts and cotter pins are much more positive and don't have you running out to buy new stake nuts (which very few folks do) on a regular basis.

[F3BZ]

ford changed the Festy spindles in 92 to accept a cotter pin and castelatted cover. I also think they made BOTH side the same thread. (righty tighty, lefty loosy). it would seem logical that they continued this setup on the Aspire spindles also.

[rmoltis]

ford changed the Festy spindles in 92 to accept a cotter pin and castelatted cover. I also think they made BOTH side the same thread. (righty tighty, lefty loosy). it would seem logical that they continued this setup on the Aspire spindles also.

I never understand why car manufacturers do the things they do from year to year.

I'm sure the wheel bearing nut cover and codder pin was for ease of maintenance.

But maybe they had problems with the threads not being reverse on one side.

Maybe it was a combo of people not using stake nuts correctly and coming loose causing wheels to fall off.

my fsm for my aspire says.

The passenger side spindle is left hand threads.
And the driver side should be right handed threads.