Replace nut when replacing front hubs?

[tojan19]

How many folks are actually replacing the nut as recommended when you change out the front hubs?
I didn't do it when I replaced a hub on my 95. I'm planning to do one on my 06 this week. None of the local parts store (advanced, napa) have then so I would have to order online. Don't see the need unless it's galled up when it comes off.

 

[edwx]

I haven't replaced my hubs on my '06 yet either, but I've done so much research on it, practically have the procedure memorized. Probably wouldn't use a new hub nut either. I read a ton of posts from people who have done it and the bolts that hold the hub on are more of a problem. Some of them get pretty galled up.

 

[Town]

I have not replaced the hub on an Explorer, but I have replaced both front hubs on a Taurus. The axle nut looks the same. It is a very large nut with captive washer and a built in locking feature. Once removed the nut loses the locking feature so the old nut screws on easily while a new nut is much tighter.

I used new nuts from Ford. If you use the old nuts then you may want to consider a thread locking compound. The torque is 184 lbs ft for the Explorer.

Most of the procedures (except the Ford Manual) that I have read say that re-using the nut is OK.

Good luck.

 

[waskly]

the factory nut is a tapered nut, its reusable.

 

[Explorer_PL]

I have over 141 k miles on my 06. Replaced the front hubs 4 times by now, (2 times because I used some cheapos + 2 times Motorcraft)and I used the same axle nuts and wheel nuts. Probably not the best practice, and should have gotten all new ones, but no problems whatsoever so far. I will need new wheel lug nuts as I lost number of the protective chrome caps from them, looks bad on 18" wheels.