Removing Front Hub Nut on a 1995 Escort

I have a 1995 Ford Escort 1.9L 4dr Automatic
I am having difficulty removing the hub retaining nuts on either side of the front of the car. I have tried everything even air wrench to get it off. My other question what is the direction of the threads on the retaining nuts? I have tried to rotating counter clockwise with no success.
Please any help would be greatly helpful.

They are removed counter clockwise, Ihave found on the Fords that sometimes the nut must be heated, and also found that sometimes you can't get the axel out of the spindle, I have had to remove the splindle with the axel on two occasions, this of course is the worst case, try giving the nut a little heat (EX Propane), this should help!

Good Luck

Mr.Rob

Lic Mech Auto/Truck/Trailer Ect...

do teo things... first try to get a bigger air ratchet... an auto parts store might rent out a 3/4 or 1 inch drive ratchet.... use something with a decent amount of torque. Some guns just don't have what it takes. Otherwise, get a breaker bar, preferrably a Craftsman so you can get a replacement if you break it, and get a big ass piece of pipe and slip it over the end. Last time I had to get that hub nut off the latter option was my choice... a breaker bar coupled with a huge cheater bar... then I just hopped on it a couple times =o) And then I ahd the problem as mentioned above... the darn thing wouldn't come out of the hub... be prepared to go to battle with that axle.

If possible, drive the car down to the nearest mechanic shop and have them spin it off for you. You need a good strong impact gun on a full size air compressor because some axle nuts will need 100% power to spin off.
Then just ask them to spray up the threads and snug it down just tight enough to drive it back home so you can easily remove it later with a breaker bar.

Most will not charge you for this, if they do it shouldn't be much at all, perhaps $10.


If this is not possible, spray the threads with PB Blaster and good luck with a breaker bar :)

Ya Good Replys All!

The "Take the car to the local mechanic" one work's for me!

I know if someone came to me asking for help and advice to do a repair themselves, and it was just undoing a nut or two to help the job along, I'd do it for free! Heck Take a case of cold beer Friday around 3-4 maybe he well help ya do the JOB!


Good Luck!

Mr.Rob

Lic Mech Auto/Truck/Trailer Ect....