68 Wheel Studs / Hub Assembly

[Bullitt68]

   I am new to this so any help would be greatly appreciated.  Some of the wheel studs on my '68 are loose and one actually turns when you tighten the lugnut.  Do I just need to replace the wheel studs or the hub also.  I cannot tell if the hole in the hub is also "splined" like the studs or if I am just seeing the "marks" left from the splined studs??  One of the holes in the hub is smooth for sure.  Most of them have been tack-welded from the back side and I really would like to replace the entire wheel hub assembly, but cannot find replacements.  Year One only has the wheel studs.   Thanks

[Mike DC]

Are you aware of the RH/LH threads issue on pre-1970 Mopars?

Everything 1969 and earlier had left-hand threads on the driver's side of the car from the factory.  (The passenger side always had the normal-direction lugs.)  Sometimes people have retrofitted the standard lugs over the years, depends on the car. 

[Plumcrazy]

1970 was the last year for left hand threads on the drivers side of the car.

[bull]

First off I can't really tell from your description if you're talking about the front or rear but I'll assume it's the rear. I don't believe the holes are splined, I believe they started out smooth and were grooved out by the knurling on the studs when installed. What I would do (and what I did) was go down to my local tire shop and buy some new wheel studs. You probably know how to install them but if not ~ knock the old one out with a hammer and slide the new one in and try to get it snug by hand in the hole. Place a washer or two over the stud, start your nut (a generic, open nut not a closed acorn lug nut) start rattling it down with a 1/2" impact and a deep impact socket if you have one. If you only have a shallow socket you'll have to keep adding washers as you go. Eventually the stud will seat itself, some of them take forever.

As you said though it's quite possible that the hole is worn out and if a new stud won't seat tightly (I'd still try that first) you might have to find a used flange. I don't recall off the top of my head whether the flange is permanently attached to the axle and it may be easier to buy an axle anyway. I don't know if you can buy them new.

[Bullitt68]

I was actually talking about the front.  I tried what you said, but the stud just spins in the hole in the hub.  I think I may need to replace the hub assembly on the fronts.  Having a tough time finding them too.

First off I can't really tell from your description if you're talking about the front or rear but I'll assume it's the rear. I don't believe the holes are splined, I believe they started out smooth and were grooved out by the knurling on the studs when installed. What I would do (and what I did) was go down to my local tire shop and buy some new wheel studs. You probably know how to install them but if not ~ knock the old one out with a hammer and slide the new one in and try to get it snug by hand in the hole. Place a washer or two over the stud, start your nut (a generic, open nut not a closed acorn lug nut) start rattling it down with a 1/2" impact and a deep impact socket if you have one. If you only have a shallow socket you'll have to keep adding washers as you go. Eventually the stud will seat itself, some of them take forever.

As you said though it's quite possible that the hole is worn out and if a new stud won't seat tightly (I'd still try that first) you might have to find a used flange. I don't recall off the top of my head whether the flange is permanently attached to the axle and it may be easier to buy an axle anyway. I don't know if you can buy them new.