Help - How to replace Wheel Studs???
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,484
Likes: 0
From: Nanaimo, BC
Help - How to replace Wheel Studs???
I posted a theread about a month ago about a stripped wheel stud and not. Well, I got my ZR1's yesterday and in the process of taking the stock rims off I have FIVE stripped wheel nuts / studs. Two on both the rears and one on one of the fronts. One of the studs even broke while I was trying to strong arm the stripped nut off, thought I had broken my cheek bone when the wheel wrench flew back at me and hit me in the face.
2 questions:
1. How do i replace the wheel studs? Are there instructions anywhere? I remmeber a few guys saying it was really easy but I have never done it... Do I need any special tools?
2. I bought the car in November and the only time all 4 wheels have been off since I bought the car was the provincial inspection I had done by the dealership when I imported the car. Is this their fault? Did they over-torque the bolts? Should I be going to them to have them repair it for free, or is this something that just happens? And if so, why the he** didn't they say something when they had the car in November or would they have not even noticed because they use ther air guns?
Thanks guys. I appreciate any help or suggestions.
2 questions:
1. How do i replace the wheel studs? Are there instructions anywhere? I remmeber a few guys saying it was really easy but I have never done it... Do I need any special tools?
2. I bought the car in November and the only time all 4 wheels have been off since I bought the car was the provincial inspection I had done by the dealership when I imported the car. Is this their fault? Did they over-torque the bolts? Should I be going to them to have them repair it for free, or is this something that just happens? And if so, why the he** didn't they say something when they had the car in November or would they have not even noticed because they use ther air guns?
Thanks guys. I appreciate any help or suggestions.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,132
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From: domesticmisfits.net c4guru.com
you need a hammer and a brass drift. they should just pound out. only reason i say the drift is if there broken you may need it. new ones slide right in. when you put on the new wheels they should snug up nice. just remember to re-tighten them after about 25-30 miles. good luck dude
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: middle of nowhere Pa
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
first of all it sounds like the guy that put the lugs back on hammered the hell out of them with his impact wrench.it's been done to me many times.to replace the bad studs all you got to do is beat them out with abig hammer.to put the new ones back in just slip the stud into the hole til it stops.take a lug nut turn it around so the flat side is facing the rotor and tighten it til it won't move anymore.good luck hope this helps
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 22,284
Likes: 207
From: Sussex,Wi
2023 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C3 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
Originally Posted by smack123
Nice - thnaks guys, I appreciate the help. Sounds like it should be easy. Also, I'm having a hard time getting the last 2 stripped nuts off. Any suggestions or special techniques?
If you don't have one or the other,or they don't fit in the available space, a Dremel tool can be used to cut a slot in the nut such that you could chisel the nut off, or notch it so you can pursuade it with the chisel or a screw-driver (you'll replace the stud anyway, right?).
(I've recently stopped doing these types of goof-ball remedies, I now have an air chisel
) As far as getting the studs out, just put a nut on the stud about 3 full turns, and hammer the sucker towards the rotor, they're press-fit in, yoa good smack will release them.
As stated above when re-installing using the nut put on backwards, remember to check the lugs after a short period of driving, as the press-fit needs to be re-seated.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,484
Likes: 0
From: Nanaimo, BC
Thanks guys - 5 new wheel studs installed and the wheels are on the car. It was remarkably easy. That's what I love about this forum, I never would have know it was such an easy job if I hadn't asked. You guys just saved me some coin! Sweet - thanks again, and thanks also to Mojo who told me a few weeks back that it was an easy job!
