I keep stumbling across people cross-threading things in many of the old threads I'm sifting through, and I'm wondering if anyone else was ever taught the simple method I was taught about how to avoid this.

This works for nuts or bolts, and it's the easiest thing in the world to do. You'd normally go "righty-tighty, lefty loosy", or clockwise to tighten, counter-clockwise to loosen. Simply reverse it when starting a nut or bolt - meaning turn it COUNTER-clockwise, until you hear and/or feel it "click". This will be your indication that the nut or bolt is now seated on the threads properly, and you can then spin the nut or bolt on by hand clockwise for a few turns as a little additional insurance that you've not cross threaded anything.

Hopefully you find / remember this info before it's too late

 

Great tip on counter rotation on bolt until nut seats with click.

I first heard the righty-tighty lefty-loosey phrase maybe 45 years ago - it was illuminating to a 15 year old wannabe mechanic and has served me well to this day.

Avoiding cross thread is also helped by always working clean, have good lighting, not rushing the task, and building experience and a good sense of "touch" around your car so when something is not right you sense it immedietely.

 

Also, resist any temptation to lubricate threads on bolts that have torque specs (unless specifically called for). Clean / wire brush bolt threads.