Striped Lug nut
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 305
Likes: 0
From: Mo
Striped Lug nut
I was removing my tires and wheels when one of the lug nuts on the front striped and is now frewheeling on the stud. Took to a couple of places that do repair that I've used in the past amd both refused to attempt the lug nut removal. They both said my wheels( there stock )were to expensive to replace if the screwed and ruined one. I'm trying to grind the damn nut off but its a slow process. Any sugestions would be much appreciated. :cry :cuss
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
Likes: 233
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
Re: Striped Lug nut (oldtimer)
Take off the other four lugnuts.
Have a buddy pull on the wheel as hard as he can while you try to spin the stripped one off with the wrench....just hope it catches a thread.
If that doesn't work, then the grinder is all that is left.
Larry
code5coupe
:seeya
Have a buddy pull on the wheel as hard as he can while you try to spin the stripped one off with the wrench....just hope it catches a thread.
If that doesn't work, then the grinder is all that is left.
Larry
code5coupe
:seeya
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,970
Likes: 21
From: Denville NJ
Re: Striped Lug nut (oldtimer)
If its loose enough, uou might be able to push the stud in towards the hub exposing the head behind the hub bearing assembly. You might just be able to get a large vise grip on the lug bolt head and wedge a steel rod in the vise grip to prevent it from turning and remove the nut. Good Luck!
[Modified by CG77VETTE, 8:28 PM 3/2/2004]
[Modified by CG77VETTE, 8:28 PM 3/2/2004]
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
From: Naples FL
Re: Striped Lug nut (madmike)
Hahah I went through this exact issue yesterday on my 88 that I just bought Monday. The garage wouldn't attempt because of possible wheel damage. So I did the damage for them. Hammered, chiseled and drilled for around 5 hours. I put marks on the aluminum (not a show car so that doesn't bother me much) But after all that effort it STILL isn't breaking free. What once looked like a nut now looks an amoeba. :) It's close to letting loose. One or two more drilled holes should do it. It was (and is) a nightmare.
[Modified by Duf, 4:14 PM 3/3/2004]
[Modified by Duf, 4:14 PM 3/3/2004]
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
From: Naples FL
Re: Striped Lug nut (89Corvette6spdFX3)
The most difficult part is being to apply enough pressure to drill it out, down on your knees, as well as making sure it doesn't hop off the stud or nut while drilling (which happened to me often) :nonod:
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 899
Likes: 0
From: Copperas Cove TX
Re: Striped Lug nut (Duf)
You are going to have to replace the lug anyway, so take a sharp cold chisel and split the nut. Take your time be careful, but it works. If it's a cap type nut center punch the cape, drill a pilot hole, then take a 1/2" bit and drill a hole in the cap where you can split it with a cold chisel. It works, done it many times. Yes it's lots of trouble, but how much trouble have you had so far???????
HAVE A GREAT DAY!!! :flag
HAVE A GREAT DAY!!! :flag
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 305
Likes: 0
From: Mo
Re: Striped Lug nut (oldtimer)
I got the nut off this morning by putting vise grips thru a hole in the nut I had grinded and twistin abck and forth and the nut finally came off after 4 hours work. Now the damaged stud wont come out. I put some penetrating oil on it and will go whack on the stud again in a few hours. Thanks to all for your inputs it was really appreciated. :) :)
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 899
Likes: 0
From: Copperas Cove TX
Re: Striped Lug nut (oldtimer)
The best way to get the stud out, is to press it out and press the new one back in. That's the way they werte designed to be done. If you try to set them by tightening you will probably have the same problem you have now, a stripped lug stud. Chances are very good that you will never get the stud fully seated.
HAVE A GREAT DAY!!!
:flag
HAVE A GREAT DAY!!!
:flag
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Halifax Nova Scotia
Re: Striped Lug nut (oldtimer)
Snap On makes a tool especially for this. It's for removing stripped nuts. I broke my lug nut key and had to use one from the dealership. The mechanics were busy and gave my the impact gun and the attachement and within 5 minutes I had all four key nuts removed and new ones installed. No marks on the wheels. Well worth looking for!
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 154
Likes: 1
From: Azle TX
Re: Striped Lug nut (oldtimer)
To get the old stud out try spraying the stud front and rear with PB Blaster. Let sit for a few hours. Take a LARGE hammer and tap on the stud. Don't get too carried away. Several sharp raps should get it free. You can get new studs and nuts from any auto parts store. Clean the hole in the hub where the stud goes thru and apply antiseize to the splined part of the new stud. Start it thru the hole and put 2 or 3 fender washers on the stud and tighten the nut to pull the stud through and seated. I can't tell you how many times I've done this this year. It seems like when one of the studs strips they all start stripping. Buy extra nuts/studs just in case.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 265
Likes: 1
From: Irwindale Ca
Re: Striped Lug nut (Duf)
Anyone know where they sell drill bit sharpeners. If your bits are sharp they will cut through that stud like butter. The problem is keeping them sharp. I grind the bits but its a hit and miss on the angle. I usually will add oil while cutting. :seeya
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
From: Naples FL
Re: Striped Lug nut (LoneStarSoldier)
ARGHH!!! Things went from bad to worse. I got a new drill bit and did some more drilling on the frozen nut that I beat on for hours the day before. It looks like it is ready to let loose. Then disaster strikes. As I am turning off one of the other lugs on the wheel the stud presses out the back of the hub and starts spinning freely!!! NO! I was able to drill a hole in the top of the lug nut but there is no way I can stop the stud from spinning to get the nut off. I am theorizing that this one came loose as a result of all the banging I did trying to get the other one off. :( I see references to a "cold chisel" Where do I get one and how does it differ from a regular chisel? As of now my game plan is to try to split this lug, I don't see any other option.
:mad
:mad
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
From: Naples FL
Re: Striped Lug nut (rocco16)
Ok I got the spun stud out. Here is what I did. I used a cold chisel to make the hole in the top of the lug nut cap I drilled the other night bigger. Then I used my 3/8" carbide drill bit to drill a good chunk of the stud out. (used a bolt wedged into wheel socket to keep bolt from spinning) Then I took a huge center punch like tool and hammered it with my 4lb mini-sledge. It eventually popped out the back.
Whew, what a job. At least if it happens again I will be better prepared. Is there any problem pressing a new wheel stud into a hole where one turned out? Will the new one seat itself securely?
:hurray: :hurray:
Whew, what a job. At least if it happens again I will be better prepared. Is there any problem pressing a new wheel stud into a hole where one turned out? Will the new one seat itself securely?
:hurray: :hurray:
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 305
Likes: 0
From: Mo
Re: Striped Lug nut (Duf)
I put some synthetic grease on the new stud and hole and then put the new nut on new stud and the new stud seated with no problem. Good Luck ,when it rains it pours some days. All I wanted to do is inspect my brake pads and ended up spending a 1 1/2 days dealing with the striped nut problem. I did remove all the other nuts and applied anti sieze compund . Hope it helps alleviate this problem in the future. :thumbs:
Cruising
Joined: Jul 2024
Posts: 14
Likes: 1
I just had this issue, and what finally worked was to put pressure behind the spinning nut using a medium size flat blade screwdriver and then use a power drill / driver using the max torque setting and fastest speed in reverse. I have a Bauer 20V Lithium power Drill / Driver. All the time keep pressure on the nut with the screwdriver. Finally, the nut came forward. I was then able to screw in the bolt I purchased and screwed it into the nut and pulling and wiggling a little it came off. Hope this helps someone.
