Stripped!!!!
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,625
Likes: 4
From: Director of Bands
St. Jude Donor '08
Stripped!!!!
OK... My corvette has these plastic lug covers that screw on over the lugs, and I figured out why they are there. They apparently keep the water and grime off the lugs and studs so that they actually come off w/o PB Blaster. 
The problem is, my 92 Grand Am (POS... bigtime) doesn't have those and has a mix of different size lug nuts. I have shot them with PB blaster and was using a 25" breaker bar. I finally got all but three to bust loose. I rounded the last three pretty well, and now cannot get them off. I searched the archives and tried putting a 12 point metric socket over the stripped lugs, but they wouldn't take. Any ideas? I can't fit a nut buster in there, and I dont have a grinder or a torch. Isn't there some sort of socket especially made for extracting stripped nuts? I know that this is for a different car, but I figure someone's gotta know.
Moral of the story: put the platic lug cover thingies back on the lugs. Always.
TIA!!!
The problem is, my 92 Grand Am (POS... bigtime) doesn't have those and has a mix of different size lug nuts. I have shot them with PB blaster and was using a 25" breaker bar. I finally got all but three to bust loose. I rounded the last three pretty well, and now cannot get them off. I searched the archives and tried putting a 12 point metric socket over the stripped lugs, but they wouldn't take. Any ideas? I can't fit a nut buster in there, and I dont have a grinder or a torch. Isn't there some sort of socket especially made for extracting stripped nuts? I know that this is for a different car, but I figure someone's gotta know. Moral of the story: put the platic lug cover thingies back on the lugs. Always.
TIA!!!
Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
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From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
My buddy uses a Snap On impact socket. Works everytime and I've rounded off quite a few.
As a last resort, pound on a slightly smaller socket and tighten it till the stud breaks off then replace the stud.(or you can try loosening first I guess).
As a last resort, pound on a slightly smaller socket and tighten it till the stud breaks off then replace the stud.(or you can try loosening first I guess).
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Stop by a Discount Tire or Les Schwab tire store. They have special sockets they use for rounded-off lugnuts.
I use a light coat of anti-sieze compound on the wheels studs. Even though I use the plastic caps, I take the wheels off and add a light coat of anti-seize.
If you have to replace a number of lugs, just get a set of acorn-style lugs to replace the factory ones. They're closed up at the outside part and you shouldn't have any further problems. And make sure you torque the lugs to factory specs.
I use a light coat of anti-sieze compound on the wheels studs. Even though I use the plastic caps, I take the wheels off and add a light coat of anti-seize.
If you have to replace a number of lugs, just get a set of acorn-style lugs to replace the factory ones. They're closed up at the outside part and you shouldn't have any further problems. And make sure you torque the lugs to factory specs.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: middle of nowhere Pa
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Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
first always use a 6 point socket when taking lug nuts off.lessens the risk of rounding.try pounding on a one size smaller 6 point socket first if that dosen't work put the torch to it
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
Originally Posted by eschoendorff
OK... My corvette has these plastic lug covers that screw on over the lugs, and I figured out why they are there. They apparently keep the water and grime off the lugs and studs so that they actually come off w/o PB Blaster.
Moral of the story: put the platic lug cover thingies back on the lugs.
Moral of the story: put the platic lug cover thingies back on the lugs.
-JRC-
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From: Kingman AZ
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I just hope you're not stripping out in your driveway or the school parking lot! :o You could get in big trouble! 
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,625
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From: Director of Bands
St. Jude Donor '08
Weellll... I was in my driveway, but no one seemed to care. 
All I know is that I gotta get these things off my car, but I'm am really putting it off 'cause it's nice outside and I would rather take the Vette for a run.
All I know is that I gotta get these things off my car, but I'm am really putting it off 'cause it's nice outside and I would rather take the Vette for a run.
