RIGHT HAND LUG BOLTS/STUDS----A BETTER WAY FOR BILL

["Bill Watson" <wwatson@xxxxxxxxx>]

The theory behind it was that centrifugal force would tighten the bolts as
the car went forward.  (Chrysler did not adopt lug studs and nuts until the
late 1950's in the U.S. and early 1960's in Canada).

It was believed that as the car's wheels rotated, if the the left bolts were
right-hand thread, they would loosen.  Thus Chrysler in 1940 adopted
left-hand threads on the left side of the car.  They were last used in 1970.

I believe Studebaker also used LH studs and bolts up to 1957, but do not
know when they started.

Bill
Vancouver, BC


----- Original Message ----- 
From: Randy Martin
To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Monday, January 26, 2004 6:58 PM
Subject: Re: IML: RIGHT HAND LUG BOLTS/STUDS----A BETTER WAY FOR BILL


From: "Dick Benjamin" <dickb@xxxxxxxxx>
OK, Bill, but be a little wary.  Those left handed lug nuts were there for a
> reason.

 I am curious.. Could you elaborate on what the reason was that Chrysler
used Left-handed lug studs and nuts on the left side?  Does anyone know if
GM or Ford did this during those years?  Thanks!
Randy
----- Original Message ----- 
From: Bill McPheeters
To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Monday, January 26, 2004 5:47 PM
Subject: IML: RIGHT HAND LUG BOLTS/STUDS----A BETTER WAY FOR BILL


Here's what I did Dick.
Everything is in good condition, wheels are straight (no wobbles, lateral
runout) lug bolts & nuts are new on drivers side & when bias ply tires are
rotated each wheel is torqued to 95 lbs., & I watch the entire activity on
all 4 wheels.
I considered the yellow paint inside each wheel cover but two things changed
my mind: 1-most of these guys are on a dead run all the time & pay no
attention to any thing.
2-being the former owner of a Hub Cap, Wheel Cover & OEM factory steel wheel
Store I always remove & install my own wheel covers so they wouldn't see the
writing any way.
I made the change 5 years ago last august & have never found any variation
in the lug nuts on either side of the car using my torque wrench which I
also take to the tire shop for them to use.
We've been on 3 or 4 car club multi day cruises in northern California & all
were mountain runs with no problems, all this since the change over. Our
1956 Imperial is next.
I'm happy with it & will post any future problem.
Bill & Jan McPheeters, Shaver Lake, Ca

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dick Benjamin" <dickb@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, January 26, 2004 3:49 PM
Subject: Re: IML: RIGHT HAND LUG BOLTS/STUDS----A BETTER WAY


> OK, Bill, but be a little wary.  Those left handed lug nuts were there for
a
> reason.  Double check your wheel lugs each time you put air in the tires,
> especially if you are running radial tires - as they put more stress on
the
> wheel.  Yes, I know modern cars don't bother about this anymore, but I
also
> know that I lost a wheel once for exactly this reason - the left side rear
> drum had been changed to right hand lug bolts - and that damn thing worked
> itself loose as I was going down a hill.  I was astonished to look out the
> side window to see my wheel passing me by on the downhill!.
>
> Dick Benjamin
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Bill McPheeters" <janshaverlake@xxxxxxxxxx>
> To: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Monday, January 26, 2004 11:20 AM
> Subject: IML: RIGHT HAND LUG BOLTS/STUDS----A BETTER WAY
>
>
>
> There is another way.
> My tire shop screwed up Left Hand Lug Bolts on my 56 Dodge & the Manager
who
> wrote the order wrote "left hand lugs nuts on drivers side" at my request
> then got busy & failed to tell the worker to remember the left hand
threads
> on the drivers side, ruining one wasn't enough so the worker ruined all
five
> on the front wheel before telling his Boss he couldn't get the nuts off.
> We got that worked out & he offered to pay to have the left hand bolts
> replaced if I knew where to take the drums, which I did.
> I know the owner of the brake repair machine shop in another town & I knew
> he had lug bolts, nuts & a swedging machine..........Bingo, I now have
Right
> hand threads on the drivers side of my 56 Dodge & will soon have the same
on
> the drivers side of the 56 Imperial. Cost for bolts, nuts & swedging was
> $13.00 per drum.
> With the young people working in today's tire shops it seemed to me like
the
> thing to do.
> Bill & Jan McPheeters, Shaver Lake, Ca
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Dick Benjamin" <dickb@xxxxxxxxx>
> To: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Monday, January 26, 2004 9:08 AM
> Subject: IML: Left Handed Lug Wrenches Was:" 62 Imp bumper jack"
>
>
> > The left hand threads were used on the left side of the car, and the end
> of
> > the stud or the head of the bolt will have an "L" stamped into it.
> >
> > If you have such a car, be sure to have the service manager write this
> > information on the work order when you have any work done at a shop
where
> > the mechanics still have color in their hair.  They won't have ever seen
> > such a thing as a left handed lug nut, and they will crank away with
their
> > 200 foot-pound air impact wrench until they have stripped all your drum
> > threads - then tell you you have to buy a new drum.  Been there -= done
> > that!
> >
> >  I also write it in fluorescent yellow lacquer inside the hub caps on my
> > cars with left handed threads!   Still, you have to watch them - the
> habits
> > of a lifetime are hard to break.   If you hear some mechanic ratcheting
> away
> > on your wheel nuts, shout at him to stop!.
> > Dick Benjamin