How can I fix a stripped stud / lug nut ?

[Troll]

I was screwing around today in the garage and noticed one of my lug nuts was hand-tight. Upon futher inspection, the lug is stripped onto the stud and it seems like the stud is spinning. There's really no way to get behind the wheel in my garage, so it looks like I'm going to have to break the lug nut. How can I do this with hand tools and not damage my wheel?

Once I get the whole wheel off, I know how to put a new stud in, but how the hell can I get this lug off there? I already took all the other lugs off and put pressure on the wheel with my foot on the opposite side and the lug/stud still just spins.

[badstanglx]

if u have a little air saw work nice cut the nut into half

[SVTGT]

front or rear wheel?

[scott5]

ok. I had the same problem but there were two of them. It was on my back wheel and i had to jack the car up. JB weld the stud so it would not move and waited for it to dry then it was tight enough not to spin and the lug nut came right off.

[Troll]

this is on the front. that metal dust-cover thingy is in the way on the back side. I heard dealers have a tool called a "nut-cracker" or something. Can I borrow one of these from Auto Zone or Advance Auto?

Is it somewhat safe to drive on 4/5 tightened lugs?

I'm getting a helluva vibration at 125MPH.

[Martin0660]

I doubt you are going to get a nut cracker into a wheel, unless its mostly flat. You can pick them up lots of places pretty cheap, but I doubt its much help.

Can you get a bar / screwdriver behind the nut to pull out while you try to spin it off with an impact? Might sieze to the stud, but them yu can break it off. Your probable going to have to replace the stud anyway, so.........

Bob Myers

[Troll]

I stuck a screwdriver behind it today, but I don't have an impact wrench. Just me and the 'ole 3/8 drive.

I did manage to get some vice grips on the lug and beat on them with a hammer in the opposite direction to no avail.

Anybody know where I can get some C4?

[SVTGT]

front wheels easy. i had this issue once. i ended up taking the wheel off with the spindle and brake and bent the dust sheild outta the way and torched the back of the lug off. just gotta take your time. then replace the lug with a nice new one

[Troll]

Well, I took the car to King's in Mt. Pleasant after work. Mater... I'm sorry if that dude with the pork chop sideburns is your old man or uncle or what, but he always gives me some serious attitude. He basically told me to go away when I told him my issue. However, he inspired me to do MY OWN WORK. After a few hours with increasing sizes of drill bits and minimal damage to my wheel, I managed to break the nut loose. Got the new stud in in 30 seconds and wheel back on.

Two questions:
1. Mr. Auto Maker, why do you put one flat side on the back of the stud just to tease us? Since a stud might strip, why not put a hex head or at least TWO flat sides on the back so you can get a hold of it?????????

2. Tim, why aren't you the front wheel changer for a Sprint Cup team? You got some awesome air gun skills. j/k man... I had to take a shot.

[Troll]

Ford can lick my balls... rant on rant on rant on

Today, a locking lug nut and/or the little stupid tool stripped trying to get one of the rear wheels off. WTF???

I put a regular ratchet on it and pushed on it with my foot and hit the ratchet with a rubber mallet until I STRIPPED IT ALL THE WAY OFF.

I stared at it for a while and MF-d it for a while. Then, I found some old Chinese sockets and I beat a 3/4" socket right onto the round locking lug. It actually worked. I turned it off with a 1/2" drive torque wrench.

Onto the store to buy four new regular lugs. I might get some red ricer ones and have one red lug on each wheel. FTMFW !!!

rant off rant off rant off
thanks !!!

[mineralrob]

lol yea those locking lugs can be a pain. I dont use them anymore but i used to pray before i had to take those off. On an old car i had to have a stud drilled out and the wheel got screwed in the process.

Ford can lick my balls... rant on rant on rant on

Today, a locking lug nut and/or the little stupid tool stripped trying to get one of the rear wheels off. WTF???

I put a regular ratchet on it and pushed on it with my foot and hit the ratchet with a rubber mallet until I STRIPPED IT ALL THE WAY OFF.

I stared at it for a while and MF-d it for a while. Then, I found some old Chinese sockets and I beat a 3/4" socket right onto the round locking lug. It actually worked. I turned it off with a 1/2" drive torque wrench.

Onto the store to buy four new regular lugs. I might get some red ricer ones and have one red lug on each wheel. FTMFW !!!

rant off rant off rant off
thanks !!!

[J-rod]

i always change the locking ones asap, when i buy a new car. i actually have 4 packs of stang lug nuts in the box for this actually

[Troll]

I would rather have my frigging wheels stolen than deal with this again.

[Viper_ed]

I turned it off with a 1/2" drive torque wrench.

Nice way to ruin a Torque Wrench! You do know that's why they make Breaker Bars right?

[Troll]

relax Eddie. It was and old one with the generic dial-o-meter springy stick deal.