Hi,

I have searched previous threads on this topic but have been unable to find a definitive answer to settle my nerves.

I have discovered that both of my sierra front drive flanges are right hand threaded as oppossed to the N/S having a left hand thread. I will be using new nylocks after replacing the bearings but is it safer to source a left hand threaded flange for the N/S?

Any advice greatly appreciated

oohh, dont like the sound of that - i though the idea was self tightning nuts (so to speak)
let the experts come forth...

early sierras did have a normal thread on either side. They changed it part way through production. Presumably they wouldn't have bothered if there was no improvement.

That said, the tightening force on these nuts is hugh. I doubt that they'd come loose by accident.

I guess you'd check your car over regularly? In which case there probably wont be any problem. They changed because people who drove sierras probably only had them checked at thee service/mot which could be 12000 or so miles apart!

Adam

If Ford originally had std threads on both sides i would presume this was tested and found to be Ok. Due to a possible concern they would have changed it over later. I would guess the potential concern only affected a small number of vehicles under certain circumstances. Ford would need to develop a car that could be driven by the masses with minimum maintenance in this area and be 100% fool proof. Se7en type vehicles generally see far less use the Sierras, allbeit are driven at the limits. One option would be to tighten up to the specific torques and put a paint mark on the hub nuts. Over time you can periodically check to see if there is any movement (slackening) and correct as required. If the movement proves to be problematic then you can decide if it is best to change to LH on one side.

Lets see if you get a reply from someone with more experience of this. Another idea is to see if you can fit a second nut to act as a secondary locknut (called redundancy countermeasure in automotive speak). Again with a paint mark you can easily inspect this (this is why HGV's and PSV's have bright green plastic jobbies fitted to wheel nuts - so you can see ata glance if they have slackened off).

I hope this helps. Experts feel free to dive in.

On a 2wd the flange dosen't transmit any torque, there will be a rotation inertia couple from the stub axle if you lock a wheel but thats all -- if you strip just tighten it properly, new nut and a drop of loctite on the threads and a dab on the splines.

The front wheels don't drive on an Indy with a blade engine.

Thanks to all for your advice- shall stick with the two R/hand threads i've got.

Peteff - My terminology is dodgy, should have said front hub flange as apposed to drive - would be a mighty tricky build to get the front wheels to drive

I think I have two lefthand threads on the hub nuts on the front of my car.... I'm not 100% certain because I put them on so long ago!

Because they are undriven wheels, I am happy enough

Cheers
Andy

Even on a 4wd the front hub nuts are both conventional threads. This is also the case on any front wheel drive car i've ever had the pleasure of taking the front hub nuts off (pug 106, 205; alfa 164, gtv; rover 800, and probably more).

So I wouldn't worry either. Just make sure the nuts are torqued correctly and locked or staked.

Liam