2x4 C1

Hi Everyone,

There is a long back story on this situation, but here is the issue. We just came into the possession of an NCRS quality 1966 427. After checking all the vitals oil ... etc and having great weather we decided to drive it back to our residence. Not having driven bias ply tires for a
long time I mistook the issue that what I thought that was tracking with them was actually loose lug nuts on the driver rear side. We pulled over in a rest stop to check and when backing up the wheel came loose. Four lugnuts had sheared off and one was hanging on by a thread. We were extremely fortunate that after doing 70 on the highway no one was injured and the car, aside from the mangled wheel and sheared lugnuts was fine. Here's the problem I don't have any manuals yet for this car and have searched everywhere for the answer and can't believe what I am thinking has to happen for the repair.
I'm working on getting the broken studs out but they don't want to come out, they will eventually. But, the one lug that stayed intact drove out easily, however the dust shield blocks it from being able to be removed, so even if I drive out the broken studs I can't get them back in. Do I have to pull the hub to re-install these wheel studs ? I can't believe that would be the case am I missing something ?

Any Help would be appreciated !

Thanks

Glenn

Bluestripe67

I just looked in my '67 manual. Section 4, page 7 addresses wheel bearings and adjusting them requires that the spindle does need to come out which ties into stud replacement I believe. Maybe some one else has a technique with less work. Dennis

66jack

Why not check the bearings and while its off replace the studs...

As for the rear studs...i believe the trailing arms have to be disassembled to replace the studs...ie...the "dust shied" prevents them from coming out/in..

DansYellow66

Sorry for your problem but glad damage wasn't any worse than it is.

It's a good lesson for everyone to tighten lug nuts with a torque wrench. Your wheel studs and rotors will treat you right for doing so.

GTOguy

Since the car is 'new to you' (at least it seems that way) now would be a good time to have it transported home, where you can remove the stub axle to do the job correctly, and also do a thorough safety inspection on the rest of the car. The whole car needs checking. I've been where you are with 'new to me' cars, and have found (and fixed) stuff that easily could have resulted in death, just like your situation. Loose steering components, loose/missing brake components, engines assembled incorrectly, no cotter keys installed, etc. You AND your car deserve to be safe and secure.

66RBS

2X4 C1

" however the dust shield blocks it from being able to be removed, so even if I drive out the broken studs I can't get them back in. "

Do a search on wheel studs and you will find some good info. My mechanic enlarged one of the rectangular vent windows in the backing plate to get a broken wheel stud out and replaced. Others have drilled a hole in the backing plate.

As your car is "NCRS quality" you may not want to do this and as other have suggested now might be the time to remove the spindle and check the wheel bearings too.

Randy

JohnZ

Get it flat-bedded home where you (or your shop) can work on it; that rear trailing arm has to come off so you can disassemble the spindle/bearing stack and replace the lug studs.

2x4 C1

Thanks to all for your responses, I finally got the broken studs out. I wasn't to keen on the idea of incessantly beating on them as all four had broken within about 3/8 of an inch above the hub. So after penetrating oil, heat, and a punch failed to work I cored out each of them and hit them again with penetrating oil and heat. The center punch would now be driving directly against the back of the stud and with a few whacks out they came. After reading Randy's post and realizing that the dust shield had gotten dinged up when the wheel went loose I figured that was my best option, so I drilled open one of the vents and popped a stud in and rotated the wheel to each position and got them all replaced. I'll have to get that dust shield replaced if we are going to pursue an NCRS ranking. Everything is going back together now, just trying to get those springs back on the emergency brakes, that could be a while !
I'll definitely take GTOguy's advice and get this all gone over, just couldn't stand the thought of having to have it flat bedded out of the garage, it was a miracle the guy that flat bedded it home was able to get it dropped in there.
Thanks again for everyone's thought's and input !

Glenn

warrenmj

Ok, now that you have it safely home, let's see some pictures of your new car

2x4 C1

Ok ok lol
Once I get 4 tires on the ground I'll post some pics.
I'm kind of curious to see what gets pointed out that is not original as this is my first week with a '66 and we had a bad first date !

66jack

You'll have more "bad dates"...believe me!!!

warrenmj

You don't need to worry about originality here. My '66 L79 has a NOM motor, 5 speed Tremec transmission, Steeroids rack and pinion steering, composite rear spring, Quickfuel carburetor, aftermarket stereo and speakers. You'll find many members of this forum aren't concerned with originality.