Posted by John Bitter on September 28, 1997 at 13:23:13:
In Reply to: Now That's A New One! posted by Pete Kamm on September 28, 1997 at 00:14:06:
: Today I bought new wheels for my '64 W200 crew cab to replace the old split rims. I don't think the wheels had been removed in decades so they fought me all the way. The last one, front drivers side was impossible. I spent half an hour finally resorting to a 3 foot cheater bar to loosen the lug nuts. I'm not a small boy by any means, but even after a full turn on each nut, they still could take all of my weight. Who's the wise guy that made LEFT-HAND THREADS on my wheel?!!
: Does anyone know if thats common? I nearly broke or stripped the lugs before I realized it. I thought I'd seen it all!
: Pete in Golden, CO.
My '65 W100 Town Wagon has left & right threads. I just bought the truck & one wheel stud had already been twisted off. Also, someone put a left-threaded drum on the right side - talk about confusing. When I bought new wheels & tires, I had to stand over the shop guys to remind them - both getting the old wheels off & then putting the new ones back on. Doing a major brake rebuild - I had to stand over the guys & still, they nearly twisted another stud off !!!
That's why I'm having ALL right-treaded studs pressed in the drums. I know it's not original, not correct & will probably get me banned from this forum - BUT it's just a whole lot easier for my daily driver. I figure you can always go back have left-threaded studs pressed in if needed.
Also, lots of good discussion about this starting with Scott Gore on Sep 22, 1997 - about 4 "page downs" from this positng.
Cheers, JB