tips on removing a stripped lug nut
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 435
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From: How did I get here? AZ
tips on removing a stripped lug nut
anyone out there had luck removing a stripped lug nut? I was putting my new wheels on, replaced three of them. then got to the drivers rear, and stripped one of the lug nuts. so now i have 3 gs's and one stock 85 wheel. :cuss
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: I'm the walkin dude I can see all of the world...
St. Jude Donor '03
Re: tips on removing a stripped lug nut (want2drivemy85)
Wow how do you strip a lug nut? Get one size down either metric or regular and beat it on with a hammer. Might work.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,833
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From: Orange County California
Re: tips on removing a stripped lug nut (want2drivemy85)
This happens all the time. Its why I keep a at least one extra lug nut and screw handy. I would just break the mother. Get your tire iron and crank it to the btich breaks off. Then replace. Easy. But I dont know if thats the proper way to do it. :bb
Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
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From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
Cental/South NJ Events Coordinator
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Re: tips on removing a stripped lug nut (Flame Red)
I tried to find the link but I could not :( but I seem to remember that snap-on sells a tool specifically to get these off.
I don't recommend the snapping off, you could have possible damage when it snaps(wrnech hitting the wheel etc), but it will work also. Done it many times, just not on purpose.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 83,383
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From: Boston, MA
Re: tips on removing a stripped lug nut (Mr Mojo)
Take a cheap 12 point 13/16" socket in 3/8" drive and hammer it on. Once you get the lug off hammer a 1/4" extension through the 3/8" hole to get it out of the socket.
*edit*
If you have a 1/2" socket that would be even better.
[Modified by scorp508, 5:48 PM 4/26/2004]
*edit*
If you have a 1/2" socket that would be even better.
[Modified by scorp508, 5:48 PM 4/26/2004]
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,518
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Re: tips on removing a stripped lug nut (scorp508)
The safest way in my opinion is to drill out the center of the lug. Use small bit after center punching it. keep increasing size of bit until lug twists off. I know this sounds like heart surgery to remove a pimple but it works. Damage the wheel hammering and twisting and you will surely :U Takes about 1/2 hr to drill out and 1/2 hr to replace lug. Wheels are not strong when hit from side only strong up and down. Like a coke can. you can almost stand on it but pinch it closed with 2 fingers. I refuse to admit how I learned this stuff. :bb
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,833
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From: Orange County California
Re: tips on removing a stripped lug nut (Pete K)
Oh common man. Those things twist right off. I cant imagine hurting the wheel by cranking the bolt till it snaps. Just give a quick crank with the tire iron and the bolt should break right off. Either that or it will unscrew loose. In which case, nothing gets broken. But REPLACE the bolt before putting the wheel back on.
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Drifting
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,337
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From: Brighton, MI
Re: tips on removing a stripped lug nut (McShagger)
Are we all talking about the same thing here? Seems some are referring to stripped threads, while others are maybe talking about a rounded off lug casing to the point where the socket doesn't fit anymore. For stripped threads where the lug is seized on the stud, I use McShagger's method. Use a long breaker bar and twist the stud right off. No wheel or tool damage. If you use a breaker bar, it will go nice and smooth and not just instantly snap. Once you get the wheel off, then replace the stud. If you are talking about a rounded off lug, then maybe pounding a smaller socket on will work. I've never had to do that yet.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 435
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From: How did I get here? AZ
Re: tips on removing a stripped lug nut (93Quasar)
sorry if i wast more clear on the situation. its the lug NUT itself that is stripped, i actually bent my 4-way wrench trying to get the mother off. this is the first chance ive had to get back to it, been working way too many hours lately. i will try again tonight and see what its gonna take to get this thing off. i tried hammering on a smaller socket, and it just made it worse.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
Re: tips on removing a stripped lug nut (want2drivemy85)
i posted in another thread about this, but i do have another suggestion
"Big Bertha" - a 1" drive impact wrench...she's got enough torque to twist your car in two...never had a problem taking ANYTHING off with her...especially good for stubborn hubs and such... :reddevil
"Big Bertha" - a 1" drive impact wrench...she's got enough torque to twist your car in two...never had a problem taking ANYTHING off with her...especially good for stubborn hubs and such... :reddevil
Racer
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 353
Likes: 0
From: Hattiesburg MS
Re: tips on removing a stripped lug nut (want2drivemy85)
I believe I saw one of those tools at Sears for removing rounded nuts, its kinda like a socket but digs in on the nut, the more force you put on it the more it digs into the nut.
Check out your local Sears!
Jeff
Check out your local Sears!
Jeff
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 435
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From: How did I get here? AZ
Re: tips on removing a stripped lug nut (jeff69)
Ok, got the damn thing off! this is what i did. went to auto zone and picked up a set of Irwin Bolt Grips.(ala jeff69) they look like a socket, but are designed to remove stripped bolt heads or nuts..then i took a torch and heated up the lug, reallly good and shot it with some wd40. i put the bolt grip on with a ball peen hammer (hehe, my favorite tool) took a breaker bar and a length of pipe about 3ft long and applied steady pressure until it broke free. that was it. Thanks to all here who provided good advice and plenty of ideas, i appreciate it!! project 85 is under way again, woohoo :thumbs:
[Modified by want2drivemy85, 9:52 PM 4/30/2004]
[Modified by want2drivemy85, 9:52 PM 4/30/2004]
