Reusing spindle nut-2WD Rotors
05-23-2014, 12:06 PM
#41
Who said they last so long??? I've read of people who have the front wheel bearing go out in as little as 2000 mi. after replacing the rotor assy. Several that have gone out in 5-20k mi. At least 2 owners on Ford truck forums that have replaced one after another with no explanation as to why it happens. They are a pretty lousy design I'd say. If the guy that designed those things still works for Ford, (other than as a janitor), shame on Ford!
Quality (non chinese) sealed bearings should last >100K miles. In my experience, a Chinese bearing will last approx 1/5 the factory bearing. Because of this, I do not use any part that has a chinese bearing in it.
Premature bearing failure will occur when tightened with an impact gun and/or over tightened.
It's not difficult to get to 295ft lbs of torque. Divide 295 by your body weight times 12 and that is the distance from the center of the socket you should stand on the breaker bar extension. Keep bar as close to horizontal as possible. Example 295/195 = 1.51 x 12 = 18.15"
FYI - Even though a 2004 - 2008 2wd front rotor may be "made in china" it may have a name brand bearing installed. i.e. Motorcraft BRR143 rotor.
Important - measure rotor runout with dial indicator. If not < .001" pad deposit will not be uniform, irregular build up will occur and cause brake shudder prematurely.
Lastly - not sure why Ford specs the nut "Do Not Re-use" It is not spec'd as torque to yield (TTY) i.e torque to 295ft lbs plus 30 degrees. Under stress the nylok nylon is going to melt and not hold. It'is retained with a castle retainer and cotter pin. It's treated with red loctite. Reapply red loctite? Maybe a Ford engineer could chime in.
Blessings
The following users liked this post:
treetop (05-24-2014)
12-01-2015, 07:37 PM
#42
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm not advocating anyone do this, this is your decision. Just relating my experience.
Okay, I replaced the front rotors on my '05 2WD, and reused the spindle nuts. I have almost 500 miles on the job and see no problem. I used several drops of blue locktite on the spindle threads and tightened the nut with a long handle breaker bar as I didn't have access to a 300# torq wrench. ( I'm going to hear about this ! )
I didn't see any difference in this job and any FWD vehicle and axle nuts. The nut tightens down on the inner race so, no preload involved. Please tell me if you don't agree with this. When I installed the cotter pin in the castle, it had play back and forth. I monitored this for several hundred miles and it's still loose. If the spindle nut starts to back off it would take up this play and the castle would be tight.
Again, I'm not advocating anyone do this, just relating my experience.
So far I'm satisfied.
I've included a few pictures.
Okay, I replaced the front rotors on my '05 2WD, and reused the spindle nuts. I have almost 500 miles on the job and see no problem. I used several drops of blue locktite on the spindle threads and tightened the nut with a long handle breaker bar as I didn't have access to a 300# torq wrench. ( I'm going to hear about this ! )
I didn't see any difference in this job and any FWD vehicle and axle nuts. The nut tightens down on the inner race so, no preload involved. Please tell me if you don't agree with this. When I installed the cotter pin in the castle, it had play back and forth. I monitored this for several hundred miles and it's still loose. If the spindle nut starts to back off it would take up this play and the castle would be tight.
Again, I'm not advocating anyone do this, just relating my experience.
So far I'm satisfied.
I've included a few pictures.
12-01-2015, 08:22 PM
#43
Triton54HD
I've reused mine twice so far. added some loctite and all was good. over 100k on the original spindle nut and no issues. I myself was not spending (at the time) $20 a nut. to me thats insane.
The following users liked this post:
Musclford (06-23-2023)
12-01-2015, 09:29 PM
#44
Senior Member
02-21-2021, 11:23 PM
#45
Code 7 i need your expertise!!
I'm sure if you take it to your local brake shop they will probably re-use. Personally its the only nut that I have ever seen that says do not re-use in big letters. Given the amount of torgue that these things are specd at I would imagine that in addition to losing its locking properties, this nut's threads probably get stretched enough with that amount of torque that it is weakend significantly over a new one. And like other's have said, small expense compared to the overall brake job so why risk a safety item over $20bucks.
02-22-2021, 09:11 AM
#46
Senior Member
Code7 hasn’t been active for over 7 years... if you have an issue, feel free to start a new thread if a search doesn’t produce any results instead of reviving a 10 year old thread.
03-03-2021, 07:51 AM
#47
2007 STX special edition
Hello everyone,
Ref: '05 F-150 SC XLT 4.6
Does anyone know why the spindle nuts on 2WD front rotors can't be reused? If it's just the nylon locking ring you can always use locktite. Besides, there's a "castle nut" w/cotter pin on it also.
Anyone reused their's? I'm getting ready to replace my rotors and would like to reuse the old nuts. Also I understand the torque should be 295#?
Thanks,
Paul
Ref: '05 F-150 SC XLT 4.6
Does anyone know why the spindle nuts on 2WD front rotors can't be reused? If it's just the nylon locking ring you can always use locktite. Besides, there's a "castle nut" w/cotter pin on it also.
Anyone reused their's? I'm getting ready to replace my rotors and would like to reuse the old nuts. Also I understand the torque should be 295#?
Thanks,
Paul
04-27-2023, 05:19 PM
#48
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2023
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hardway
I changed my bearings and rotor on the side of the road like an idiot. My friend told me I had to buy the whole spindle to replace the spindle nut. Well two days later and a stack of tickets and replacement of the whole front end. Take my advice don't reuse the spindle nuts there good until stressed then the whole hub comes off and into traffic. Ps had brake line pinched off so no cage or caliper on driver side was just trying to make it to town without a tow truck
06-23-2023, 02:36 PM
#49
Musclford
no way a nut should come off with a castle nut and cotter pin properly inserted?
Can you elaborate how that happened?
Can you elaborate how that happened?
06-25-2023, 09:07 AM
#50
05 5.4l 3v s.crew lariat
There is a centric mod to change the assembly on the front to heavier bearings . Only time you do the one time nut is when you put the mod on . This lets you use 4wd rotors -no more rotors with a bearing in them . My mod lasted over 130k , im now at 257k , I changed the mod assembly once .
In the past i had to change front rotors 20- 60k or less .
In the past i had to change front rotors 20- 60k or less .