Should all the "pinched" factory locknuts be replaced?

[robroy]

Hi! Since I'm putting the whole front end of #50 together from scratch, should I replace all the factory "pinched" locknuts with new, all metal, grade eight locknuts?

I'm asking because I've read that locknuts aren't really supposed to be re-used. And it would be very easy for me to replace them since I have it all apart. And the new ones are pretty!

Or are the factory locknuts still perfect and it's just a waste of hardware to replace them?

Thanks!
-Robroy

[fireguywtc]

I vote always to replace when you can. I think it's always the best bet, even is something is good. Just good insurance.

[fordman]

which nuts are the pinched ones on the front end? the only ones i can think of are the ones for the king pin retainer bolts.

[robroy]

which nuts are the pinched ones on the front end? the only ones i can think of are the ones for the king pin retainer bolts.

I think those nuts actually weren't pinched on the replacement kingpin kit I got! Maybe I need to install locknuts there.

Here are three places there are pinch nuts on my truck. There's also a pinch nut on one side of the upper spring retainer that's not shown here, since my truck uses a different style than the F100 style.



Thanks Fordman!
-Robroy

[robroy]

I vote always to replace when you can. I think it's always the best bet, even is something is good. Just good insurance.

Yeah this sounds good to me. And it's nice that they new ones come looking so nice, so I don't have to bother trying to refinish or paint old ones.

My one reservation is that I'm not convinced that the metallurgy of the replacements is as good as what Ford used in 1972. This is especially a concern for bolts made overseas.

Do you think there's nothing to be concerned about here, and that in order for them to say "grade eight," that they MUST pass certain quality standards?

Thanks very much Bill!
-Robroy

[Rusty67]

Well, I'd say it depends. Technically you are supposed to replace crimped lock nuts every time. In my experience, as long as the nut is still crimping and holds well, it doesn't need to be replaced. As for the quality of modern nuts and bolts, I havn't been impressed. The metric grade 10.9 bolts are all really good quality. The SAE grade 8 stuff doesn't really impress me. I've seen some SAE grade 10 modern bolts and they are definately good quality, but very hard to find. A lot of the Chinese made garbage grade 8 stuff is super brittle and don't hold up well.

I think as long as the crimp is still functioning well you can just reuse them. I've replaced about 1/2 the ones I used on my 67. The other 1/2 were still quite good. If you want to know, just try and tighten them down with a ratchet, if its easy like a regular nut, replace them. Generally as long as there is a reasonable amount of crimp pressure left in them and you toqure the thing to spec, you should be absolutely fine.

[robroy]

Thanks Rusty67!

[fireguywtc]

one other thing to consider is that almost all new hardware is covered in zinc to prevent rust, so they will stay good looking

[fordman]

i think those nuts that you speakof have no real reason to be a pinch nut. but you are suppose to replace pinch nuts everytime you take one off. and the zinc coating would be a great way to get rid of some old rusty nuts. i almost forgot the ones on the retainer botl have a lock washer on them. i wasnt sure if they were pinch nuts i was just thinking that they might be.

[Merlin68F100]

[quote="robroy] My one reservation is that I'm not convinced that the metallurgy of the replacements is as good as what Ford used in 1972. This is especially a concern for bolts made overseas.
[/quote]

If the part has been stressed as in everyday use for 30+ years, I would go with a new part even if made off shore. They still have to meet standards to get the SAE grade rating.
Now if you had a sorce for NOS stuff maybe I would go with the NOS nuts.

[robroy]

Hi Bill, Fordman, and Merlin68F100,

one other thing to consider is that almost all new hardware is covered in zinc to prevent rust, so they will stay good looking

Yes, that's a very significant point since beautification is a big part of my project! And it's fun to order trinkets and get them in the mail.

i think those nuts that you speakof have no real reason to be a pinch nut. but you are suppose to replace pinch nuts everytime you take one off. and the zinc coating would be a great way to get rid of some old rusty nuts. i almost forgot the ones on the retainer botl have a lock washer on them. i wasnt sure if they were pinch nuts i was just thinking that they might be.

I see what you mean. I'm thinking that when in doubt, I'll just replace 'em with whatever the factory used, and the factory seemed to use lots of pinch nuts on my truck. Thanks for the confirmation though on needing to replace pinch nuts each time they're taken off. Hopefully I won't need to re-assemble very many parts of the truck before the project's complete! That could get painful!

If the part has been stressed as in everyday use for 30+ years, I would go with a new part even if made off shore. They still have to meet standards to get the SAE grade rating. Now if you had a sorce for NOS stuff maybe I would go with the NOS nuts.

That's a good point. I can imagine that locknuts could kind of wear out, but I don't really know if the big ol' bolts really wear out or not. But perhaps they do, since strong forces are put on them year in and year out. And besides all that, I like every comment that makes me feel more justified in putting more shiny new hardware on the truck!

Thanks again!
-Robroy