Hub

[ch33z3x]

So I'm unbelievably frustrated. I just managed to break a ratchet size adapter, )not sure of the size, but it was bbbiiiiggg), bend a 4 foot steel snipe, and bend a breaker bar. This damn nut won't come loose. It's the nut you see when you pull the cap off, in the center of the lug nuts. Even when i put a bar between the lug nuts and against the ground(Haynes manual recommendation), and use the big ratchet it won't pop. I bent the tab out first. I even tried the bloody impact wrench. Unbelievable. Never moved. It's the driver side, When I'm facing it I'm turning it counterclockwise. I even tried the other way. No dice. Hit it hard with WD-40 twice, gonna try again tomorrow... Any advice?

[GenevaDirt]

Are you working on the front or the rear?

[kzbill]

if it's the rear one is left and one is right hand thread!

[mechanicaldj]

http://www.fordfestiva.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2399

[gdawgs]

It's gotta be the front one he's working on. If they don't come off by hand, I usually put my 3/4" drive ratchet on it, have someone step on the brakes(hard), then I jump up and down on the ratchet. Just be careful in case the ratchet falls off. I weight about 150 lbs.
The front axles both have standard direction threads on that nut you are working on.

If you are using a 1/2" drive ratchet/breaker bar, it may not be beefy enough to handle it. You may need to get a 3/4" set. You can get a standard set, and use the 1 1/8" socket for that nut. Someone correct me on that size if I'm wrong. It's been a while since I've had one off.

That axle nut can be a real bear to get off.

You may also want to try letting it soak in PB Blaster. Instead of WD-40.

[freshtiva]

The drivers side ( LH ) is regular thread so it should be righty tighty. The passengerside (RH) is lefty tighty.

[Levitan]

Hey Fresh,

He said driver's side or left side. I may be wrong but I think he is turning the correct direction, counter clockwise, by your posting. I can't believe he's having that much of a problem, that nut shouldn't be on that tight if it's the rear. I wonder if someone might have put a right spindle on the left side?

Ch33z3x, try loosening the opposite way like Fresh is recommending, so loosen by turning clockwise and see what happens.

[freshtiva]

Yeah sounds like he was turning the correct way. I just wanted to clarify which side is what thread. I think the spindles are interchangable so maybe they did get switched ?? My car redford had two righty tighties on it.

[Icedawg]

Only the rear rhs was/is a lefty. On the front they are both standard turn. He has to be working on the front.

[jglutz]

I've done the same...broke tools on spindles....more than I wish to admit to.
Ever since...because all cars are different...any time I need to remove a spindle nut....I take my thumb nail and trace the thread of the spindle to see if it is LH or RH.

[scitzz]

I had one get real bad like this once. If you are repacing the axle, a torch may help by heating it....
PB Blaster instead of WD40, as stated above......
Step on the brakes(A friend), use at least a 1/2 breaker bar, 6 ft or more of pipe, and just jump on the dang thing until it breaks loose!

[Mike McKown]

I just had a fight with a front one. I used a 3/4" drive socket, breaker bar and the jack handle off my jack, slipped over the breaker bar. No go.

I got the acetylene torch out. A little heat on the nut and it came off easily.

[FestivaWilliam08]

lol....Another reason why the festy is unbeatable lol...Sorry had to say it..I guess I should be breaking loose things just to tighten them up again just so they can hopefuly be taken loose with ease when I need them to :p

I totally agree with the PB Blaster though....that stuff does wonders :hello1:

[ejp2fast]

i JUST had the front hub's off this weekend as i replaced my output shaft seals. Both fronts are regular threads. Now, here is the interesting part. The drivers side (L) hub nut came off EXTREMELY easy, scary easy. When i unscrewed it all the way, circular pieces of material came out as well (about 8 thin thin rings)... the nut size was 1 1/8"
THEN the passengers side (R) took a little grunt but came off and that nut was 1 3/16" ??????? What is up with this? I can't imagine that these should be diferent. Hhmm.. anyway, i put everything back together and tightened the Left side up and pounded the notch back and I am watching it like a hawk until i get to a JY.

[ejp2fast]

reading all these threads, the ONLY nut that is Left hand L/H thread is the passengers side (right side) REAR hub nut.