Do not resuse nut

37chief · Oct 3, 2018

I am getting parts ready to replace the rotors on my 05 F150. The nut on the hub says do not reuse. Replacing the nut will add 35.00 or so to my job. I wonder why the nut can't be reused. If I remember correctly from my Navy aircraft engine school. A nylock nut can be used twice. I could never figure how many times the nut was removed and installed. My Ford nut has never been off since I bought the truck new. Maybe just use red Loctite and be on my way. Any thoughts? Stan

Russ from MN · Oct 3, 2018

That's what I would do! In the paper mill we didn't reuse nylock nuts that were exposed to a lot of heat, but then the nylon would sometimes crumble when you removed the nut, so it was obvious not to reuse.

Raptor44 · Oct 3, 2018

Loctite and then prean it for extra measure and peace of mind.

IA Roy · Oct 3, 2018

Because I broke my foot, I am on a scooter where I put my knee on a pad to not put any weight on that foot. Yesterday I noticed that the joint that allows the steering t handle to fold for transport has a nylock nut that had worked itself loose. That made the T handle sloppy loose. That might have contributed to my falling in church last sunday. After my son tightened the nut as far as it go and would still function, I noticed the stud wasn't long enough to engage the nylon portion of the nut It worked loose. I guess it didn't matter if it was a one time or more if the nylon cannot engage the threads, you just as well use a simple hex nut and deal with it.

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BigDanT · Oct 3, 2018

Are you talking about the axel nut? Why do you have to remove that nut? Rotors will come off without taking it off won?t they? Just have to remove the calipers?

JCinKY · Oct 3, 2018

04 F150 4x4 XLT here.

Hubs have been off for a leveleing kit, off again to remove said leveling kit, off again to replace hubs. This is on both RH and LH side.

Used the same (original) nut each time. Still on there now. No problem since I first removed them in about 2013. YMMV.

Hobo,NC · Oct 3, 2018

A big fat axle nut I have no problem reusing it... I replaced the hub on a 06 mustang today the old nut got lock tite and nailed back in place... It is an unusual nut...

A staked nut is a different story sometimes you can swap sides use the right axle nut on the left axle the stake will not tighten up in the same place it did on the side it came off of re-stake it and move on...

If its a thin nut that's staked REPLACE IT...

OregonAaron · Oct 3, 2018

I have reused axle nuts many times. Swap sides (left to right, right to left) and re-stake it. However the fact that they can loosen and should be replaced is true. The last time I re-used them I had one come loose after a year or so and it was staked well. I figure it's more about metal fatigue than anything.

leroy in ne · Oct 3, 2018

2wd or 4wd? I have a 2006 4x2. Wheel bearing bad on right front. Priced hub which is complete with wheel bearings made in the hub and also a rotor hub assembly. No way am I going to press out bolts and re assemble rotor on new hub for $10.00 or so as it would of required me to go to the farm 6 miles away for the press plus the time. on this one the nut requires torqueing to a specific value with a new nut. What I researched is if you don't properly torque it you risk early bearing failure as this sets the preload on a matched duplex bearing (2 bearings butted together in opposite directions in the hub), too loose and the bearings pound and chatter, too tight and bearings are distorted and heat to early failure. Your choice but I would do more research before making a choice.

Gambles · Oct 3, 2018

Replaced the alternator on my daughter's 2003 V6 AWD Escape a couple of weeks ago. The quickest and easiest way of doing it is to pull the right axle. I was always taught in school to never reuse that nut...but I know it's more from a liability point than anything. Anyway, thought I'd follow the rules, so I started calling around. Local auto parts stores don't have them on hand, most didn't even have them in their books. Autozone DID say they could get it for $83. (Seriously? I even asked several times if they thought they had the right nut and they showed me that they did) Ford dealer didn't stock them and said they never replace them. RockAuto showed it, but that was a minimum two days away.
I reused it and put just a little RTV on the outside of the threads just for a little extra caution. If I took it off again, I'll replace it for sure.

Sprint 6 · Oct 4, 2018

It is likely 2wd. 2wd Fords use a wheel bearing integrated into the rotor, so the large center nut has to come off to remove the rotor.

ss55 · Oct 4, 2018

If the truck is a daily driver that needs to be dependable, I'd replace the nuts. If it's a once a week beater that only gets 1,000 miles a year I might risk it and check them from time to time.

MJMJ · Oct 4, 2018

It's just a liability issue. If a brake caliper happened to stick and heated to rotor until it was glowing, would it heat the nut enough to compromise the plastic lock? Maybe, maybe not. But considering the consequences if that nut backed itself off, they have to tell you to not reuse it. It's up to the owner to decide if they want to head that warning or not, they're the ones that know the history.

oldtanker · Oct 4, 2018

Exactly. If you follow the instructions and the nut fails resulting in an accident they bear most in not all of the liability. Reuse that nut and that movers over onto you.

Rick

IowaJohn · Oct 4, 2018

Sounds a little like what I've got to do with my beater pu. Left rear wheel brake cylinder is leaking, I'm just putting in a rebuild and leaving everything else alone. It's a 1500 mile a year vehicle that only goes to town for gas.

Ozlander · Oct 4, 2018

(quoted from post at 11:01:49 10/04/18)
Exactly. If you follow the instructions and the nut fails resulting in an accident they bear most in not all of the liability. Reuse that nut and that movers over onto you.
Rick

How's anybody going to know if you replaced the nut or not.

Do not resuse nut

37chief

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Russ from MN

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Raptor44

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IA Roy

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BigDanT

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JCinKY

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Hobo,NC

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OregonAaron

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leroy in ne

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Gambles

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Sprint 6

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ss55

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MJMJ

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oldtanker

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IowaJohn

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Ozlander

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