I have reverse lugs on the driver's side of my 63 Dart. I took my car in to get a front end alignment, and found out it needed upper arm bushings. Which was no surprise to me. I was told by the company that they had stripped two of the reverse lugs, before realizing they were reversed. I had reminded the guy at the counter, but apparentally, he didn't pass that on to the mechanic. They frantically tried to find reverse lugs, but to no avail. I hear now that they are changing out all the lugs to normal lugs. My question here is - why the heck is the driver's side reversed in the first place? Does it really make a difference? What harm will it cause, if any, when they swap them to normal? Thanks. In a nutshell, should I worry about them putting in normal lugs?

No, you shouldn't worry. The theory behind LH-thread lugs on the LH side of the car is that the wheel rotation will tend to tighten the lug nuts, rather than loosen them. By 1971, Chrysler noticed that other companies' left wheels weren't falling off, and changed to RH-thread at all four corners. LH-thread lugs and lug nuts are still available in several widely-distributed lines that I know of, but TH-thread lugs and nuts will mean this problem can't happen again.

I would, however, cast a very suspicious eye on the rest of the shop's work. They don't follow directions, and they don't stop and think.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

I assume you're talking about the left-hand thread on the wheel lugs.

They were used on the left-hand side of the car for a theoretical safety advantage, which has since been dismissed in cars. Something about lugnuts tending to loosen themselves in normal driving.
Going to right hand threads on the lugs will let you use easier-to-find lugs and lugnuts. It also will give you NEW lugs and lugnuts.

If you're worried about the nuts coming loose, periodically loosen and retorque them. I just torque them to spec when I put the wheels on, and leave them alone.

What were they doing with the lugnuts during an alignment, anyway?

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"When you find a big kettle of crazy, it's best not to stir it." - Pointy-haired Boss

1964 Valiant V200, 225/Pushbutton 904
BBD, CAI, HEI, LBP, AC, AM/FM/USB, EIEIO

True, but actually finding them in stock, in a smaller city or town, with the car waiting, can be a pain. DAMHIK

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"When you find a big kettle of crazy, it's best not to stir it." - Pointy-haired Boss

1964 Valiant V200, 225/Pushbutton 904
BBD, CAI, HEI, LBP, AC, AM/FM/USB, EIEIO

Thanks for the responses. My worries are over about them changing out the lugs. I like them as normal lugs better. But someday will have to change out the back lugs, so I don't have ANY like that. And they had to replace the upper arm bushings (one side didn't have any), both tie rod ends, and repack or replace the bearings. I am assuming the wheel was taken off for that work, not the alignment. The alignment is just what I went in for, but knowing that the bushings needed to be replaced. Just had to hear it from them, what they could see. Bought the car a few years back, knowing it wasn't in perfect condition. Brings my total for car up to close to $5000. And the only thing I see left to do is new shocks, and a paint job. But just as a daily driver - not a show car. Interior is all new. Getting a super six, and new leaf springs by end of summer. Will be in a parade at the end of this month. Just replaced the steel fuel line, as suggested by this site. Much, much better..... And easy to do. Thanks again for easing my mind on the lugs.

Erm...no. They will need to change out the front and rear lugs and nuts. Leaving you with a 3RH/1LH setup is a halfàssed cleanup job of the mess they made. There are two (and only two) options for a satisfactory repair: Either they find and install the original-type LH-thread lugs to replace the ones they damaged, or they change both left wheels to RH-thread. And they do it at no cost to you.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Tell them if they ever want you to come back or send family/friends, they'll fix it up right. I wouldn't mind paying for the new lugs if they eat the labor, shouldn't be more than $5....

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1980 Aspen 225 super six

Boy, I surely would!

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

You figure after they messed up the first one they wouldn't of tried a second. Man they musta used some insane torque to bust a wheel stud all together.

I went in tonight to pick the car up. I noticed it on the rack with the alignment equipment. The mechanic came in, not knowing I was there to pickup Dobie. He was frustrated as all get out, saying he was sick of working on that car. The alignment was off 2 inches. And it would take him another hour and a half to get the alignment done. As once he put the new bushings and tie rod ends on it, it threw everything out of whack, and he has to start from scratch. I don't mind him having the extra day. I asked for the other lugs, and we will see what happens. If they don't do it, I never go back. But I was happy to hear it was giving him some grief. Thanks again for the input. Oh yeah, the counter guy told me the mechanic was really grieving about the push button tranny. He had to play with it, to learn how to shift it. It's a rare thing in town I guess..... But if think this is bad, hang onto your socks. Just across the street at another tire shop, I bought rims and tires on 3/22/2006. Maybe, just maybe tomorrow I will finally get the locking lug nuts, and reversed lug nuts, of which may not be needed after all. Go cheap, and that's what you get. Luckily, I have a buddy helping me with the leaf springs. And that's another horror story with JCW. I finally went with Espo, like I should have in the first place. Well, you all know we need patience with a classic. I'm getting there....

The children some of these places hire just slap on an impact wrench and turn their attention back to the girl in the lot until something happens.

You need to find a new shop. Now, if not sooner.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

I would be concerned, they ruined the hub and drum, by just driving out the old studs, without cutting the swedging, on the studs.

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Charrlie_S
65 Valiant 100 2dr post 170 turbo
66 Valiant Signet 170 nitrous
64 Valiant Signet
64 Valiant 4dr 170
64 Valiant 4dr 225

This whole discussion makes me remember just why I started doing all of my own work to my car unless it is absolutely necessary that I bring it to a shop, and even then, I watch them like a hawk. It's just scary some of the people they'll have working on your car. Scary.

I wonder if the real reason they used reverse-threaded lug nuts was not out of an expectation that they'd get looser, but out of "backward compatability?" Prior to multiple lugs, many wheels used a single knock-off center lug that you still see on some wire wheels. And those must be reverse threaded on the driver's side. Maybe the reason Chrysler used reverse-threaded driver's side lugnuts was so that mechanics used to knock-off wheels would be able to just turn the lug nuts the way they had unscrewed knock-off nuts.

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"Mad Scientist" Matt Cramer
'66 Dart - turbocharged 225
My blog - Mad Scientist Matt's Lair