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98 4.0 4x4 spindle nut source?

chefduane

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I am trying to locate 2 x front spindle nuts with retainers for a 98 4.0 4x4. Rock Auto doesn't have them nor does O'Reilly. AutoZone sells them in kits for $35.00 (yikes!) and I'm sure the dealer will be more than that! Amazon only lists them for a 2WD. Anyone know where to get these buggers?
Thanks!
 



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I ordered 2x spindle nuts for my 2000 5.0 awd 2 days ago on amazon for $6 each
 






I ordered 2x spindle nuts for my 2000 5.0 awd 2 days ago on amazon for $6 each

Thanks for the info but I'm looking for a 98 4.0 4x4. Amazon does not list them for 4x4. Only 2wd. Are they the same on various years and differing drivetrains? 1AAuto has a great deal on hubs but they don't carry them either. I know its not recommended to re-use spindle nuts but I may have to.
 






Just an FYI chef, i've taken mine off 3 times and as you know how hard they are to find, let alone at a reasonable price, I have reused the originals each time. The first time I took them off, I discovered that they were a dealer only part. We have several ford dealers here in the greater phoenix area and not a single one had them in stock!! Yeah, I was a bit panicked because I had to take the X on a trip up north in a day or two. I posted here and received several replies to not worry and reuse the old ones and "just make sure you torque them down". I have new wheel bearings to be delivered either tomorrow or tuesday, that's the only reason why I wanted to replace them.

I'd call a ford dealership parts dept and ask them if they're the same for 2wd & 4x4? Also see if they can give you the thread specs, like M20x1.5 or 3/4-16?? At least then you will be able to do some specific searches online. I know that both Dorman & Raybestos make them for my X.

Just a thought- When you were on Amazon, did you filter results by specific vehicle? That option has always come in very handy for me. You don't have to go through page after page of items that don't fit your vehicle.

Good Luck & wish I could have helped more!
 






For my 2001 AWD I used Raybestos 816-4253 from Amazon.
DORMAN 615-220 is also fitting (O'Reilly).
Deformed Thread M20-1.50 Hex 30mm
Amazon listings for auto parts have a stupid setup, it's hard to find what you need:
I usually click on a random item like "spindle nut". It will say it doesn't fit may vehicle, but then I have the option to click to see what it fits!
Sometimes I go on rockauto and cross-reference what I need from there.


As for reuse - see the pic below. The tread is deformed at the end, and installing it on will bring it back to "round", exerting pressure on axle treads. When removed, it will remain "round", it will not come back to the original deformed state by itself. So, at the second use, even if torqued the same, it will not grip the treads in the same way.
Sure, it might "work". Backing up just a little bit it won't let the wheel fly. But it will unload the brand-new bearing inside the hub and the hub will fail soon after that.
Usually people end un replacing hub after hub and blaming the hub manufacturer for that - all this for not using a new $5 nut.

71D2XRYZK9L._SL1000_.jpg
 






I would agree that when a manufacturer states that a part is a "one-time use only", that you replace it when removed. However, when said part is not stocked at any local auto parts store or dealership, and you have to use the vehicle, you usually end up taking chances. Risking yours, let alone anyone else's safety, is never a good thing, but we all know that it happens often. I've always done all that I could to minimize any risk when i've found myself in such a situation.

In the case of these spindle nuts, in the 15+ years i've owned this X, I have had to remove them to do unplanned repairs that didn't allow me the time to order the replacements before repairs were made. I always double checked the torque every 500 miles, up to the next oil change. Luckily, i've never had one that's ever loosened, not in the slightest, on it's own! So in my case, after repeatedly confirming that they were secure, any thoughts of danger were minimized. Since i'm not willing to push my luck, knowing that with each removal, the chance of them not holding greatly increases, I am replacing them the next time they are removed. It's great that they have become somewhat more available (local ford dealerships still do not carry them in stock. Only o'reilly's can get them in a day or less for $27.99 EA) and affordable (Raybestos on amazon $5.94 EA)!!
 






Wow, thanks for all the info guys. I think I have found a site that stocks them (mach5auto.com) for $12.95 each. That is the lowest I have found available. I'm going to do some more checking tonight. I've got a local O'reilly's also.
Sonic, I had the Raybestos PN 8164253 but was not sure that it was the correct one. But your info makes me feel better about maybe ordering one. Also, I had Dorman 615072 (not 615220) as a possibility but again, was unsure of it being correct. If the 615220 it fits on your '01 AWD then I am reasonably confident it will fit on my '98 4x.
L2Rock, yes, I do the vehicle specific searches on Amazon. I hate filtering through all that crap also.

In my situation I am not replacing hubs because of a failing hub. I am doing it because at 194k I'm doing a little preventative maintenance, and, well.. just because I really would like to do a hub job! I've done upper balls with UCA, lower ball joints, brakes/rotors/calipers/pads and shocks on all four. New radiator, upper/lower mani intake gaskets, various fluid changes and other stuff. I just had the trans rebuilt 2 mos ago. Stereo head unit, amp/sub/new speakers, front/rear KC driving lights, etc. MAF, IAC, PCV, EGR... I just like to work on the truck, I guess. If I bought a new one I'd have nothing to do in my spare time!! Heh. My point is that I have to the time to track down the exact nut before I start tearing things apart. And I'll torque them correctly.

1AAuto has their inhouse hubs on sale for $120.45 for R & L. 2 year unlimited mileage warranty. Not bad. Rock Auto has Timken hubs for $101 each less 5% discount. That's $192 for both. I'm debating between the two.

And lest anyone state the obvious... Yes, I do spend way too much time and money on truck that has 194k miles on it. But I had the timing chains done some years ago and the front is fine and the rear is nice and quiet. I run Mobil-1 exclusively and just did the rear diff with Valvoline full syn. She's never been hit or bumped. Always garaged. I'd like to try to get 250k maybe 300k out of her. We'll see.

Thanks again for all the info.

EDIT: Rock Auto Timken hubs are $94.79. Also, Ford OEM P/N on the Nut is N808985-S100. Found them for $12.95/ea at fordpartsgiant.com. Shipping is about $15.00 to Dallas tho!
 












Well I ended up ordering them from a Ford dealer in So Cal (ironically right near where I grew up out there) - Gaudin Ford. Got the original nut set for $15/set free shipping. At least now I know I'm getting the correct one. I did receive an email back from a guy named Marty at Dorman. He stated that they do not carry the Spindle Nut for a 98 SOHC 4x. Strange. Does that mean that not all Gen 2 spindle nuts are the same?
Regardless, I'm ok with what I am getting. Now I just need to decide on which hubs to get, Timken or 'good enough.'
 






I know, I saw that on Dorman site, it's weird.
But on Raybestos they show the same part number for both our years and they where only $2.32 each (don't know what was shipping).
 






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