Need ideas for removing a stipped lugnut
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 408
Likes: 0
From: Miami FL
Need ideas for removing a stipped lugnut
That's pretty much about it. I have a 12x1.5mm lug that's closed-ended and it's spinning freely on the stud. I got a flat so I need to remove the tire but I can't due to the slipping (stripped) nut.
Any ideas?
Thanks,
Mike
Any ideas?
Thanks,
Mike
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 408
Likes: 0
From: Miami FL
I don't understand what you mean by drill it out.
It's actually spinning on the stud itself so it's not like I can't put a lug-wrench around it...I can ...it just doesn't spin on the thread.
If I drill a hole into the center of it how would I get it out?
It's actually spinning on the stud itself so it's not like I can't put a lug-wrench around it...I can ...it just doesn't spin on the thread.
If I drill a hole into the center of it how would I get it out?
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 244
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From: Katy
That sounds bad. Is the lug nut tight or loose? At what point did it start spinning? Immediately or half way etc.
I have zero experience with anything like this, but I've replaced the stud a few times. My only guess is that the stud is no longer pulled into the hub (if that makes sense?). If you can tighten the lug, I'd try that.
If the problem is the lug nut, it just needs to get broken better. Like fall off in your hand broken. I'd try calling a discount tire or something and find out how they would break a lug nut (they seem to be able to break my stuff easily). Maybe an air hammer with a small chissel, just hammer the chit out of the end and see if will break the lug apart. Just be careful so you don't gouge the wheel.
I have zero experience with anything like this, but I've replaced the stud a few times. My only guess is that the stud is no longer pulled into the hub (if that makes sense?). If you can tighten the lug, I'd try that.
If the problem is the lug nut, it just needs to get broken better. Like fall off in your hand broken. I'd try calling a discount tire or something and find out how they would break a lug nut (they seem to be able to break my stuff easily). Maybe an air hammer with a small chissel, just hammer the chit out of the end and see if will break the lug apart. Just be careful so you don't gouge the wheel.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,903
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From: I finished a Marathon, did you? Michigan
CI 6-7, 9-10 Veteran
You can try a couple of things.
1. Get some new drill bits and start drilling it out. Meaning use a small bit to drill your first hole, then keep sizing up.
2. If all of the others are off, try pulling the tire from the opposite side to where the lug is. As mentioned earlier, the stud may not be set in proper place. This may either snug the stud in place or might break the stud. (you would have to pull quite hard.)
3. Put the other 4 back on and take it to a tire place/ mechanic and see what they can do.
I actually had a locking lug nut fall apart while putting it on and some was still left on the stud. I had to drill the stud out. That is something I do not want to ever do again! Be careful not to damage your rim!
I hope this helps, Good luck
1. Get some new drill bits and start drilling it out. Meaning use a small bit to drill your first hole, then keep sizing up.
2. If all of the others are off, try pulling the tire from the opposite side to where the lug is. As mentioned earlier, the stud may not be set in proper place. This may either snug the stud in place or might break the stud. (you would have to pull quite hard.)
3. Put the other 4 back on and take it to a tire place/ mechanic and see what they can do.
I actually had a locking lug nut fall apart while putting it on and some was still left on the stud. I had to drill the stud out. That is something I do not want to ever do again! Be careful not to damage your rim!
I hope this helps, Good luck
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,498
Likes: 4
From: Brentwood TN
Originally Posted by gt-hunter
That's pretty much about it. I have a 12x1.5mm lug that's closed-ended and it's spinning freely on the stud. I got a flat so I need to remove the tire but I can't due to the slipping (stripped) nut.
Any ideas?
Thanks,
Mike
Any ideas?
Thanks,
Mike
Charlie
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Originally Posted by gt-hunter
That's pretty much about it. I have a 12x1.5mm lug that's closed-ended and it's spinning freely on the stud. I got a flat so I need to remove the tire but I can't due to the slipping (stripped) nut.
Any ideas?
Thanks,
Mike
Any ideas?
Thanks,
Mike
THE COMMENT about drilling the stud is a good one. Drill a small hole through the lug nut and through the stud. keep increasing the size of the drill bit untill theres not much left of the stud. Once you have most of the inside of the stud drilled out (HOLLOW), then just use the cross wrench or socket that your using to remove the lug nuts and snap off the stud.
Bill C
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Instructor
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 233
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From: Knoxville TN
Originally Posted by nco663
If you have access to a dremel tool, cut the nut at 180 degrees apart with a small cutting bit. Replace the stud so feel free to cut in to it.
Good Luck
Good Luck
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,364
Likes: 1
From: Rugby North Dakota
Originally Posted by CARRJET
If you can get a screwdriver in behind the nut, put some outwrd force on it and try backing it off with the force still on the nut
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,461
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From: Las Vegas Nevada
St. Jude Donor '08
Originally Posted by 94legaleagle
or try pulling on the rim so that the rim puts pressure on the bad nut - then when pulling on the rim and putting pressure on the nut, see if you can get the nut threads to "catch" and turn the nut off
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 810
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From: Coulmbia New Jersey
I just ran into this the other day but with a open lug nut. All I did since the threads were bad was air chiseled the stud out of the hub since the threads were not holding tight. Then replaced the studs
I would use a dremil and open the end of the lug nut and try a air chisel to push the stud off the nut.
I would use a dremil and open the end of the lug nut and try a air chisel to push the stud off the nut.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 7,370
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From: Slave to the evil empire
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Donor '04
I drilled one out that was freely spinning, I can'r rember what size drill bit I used but it was big enough to completely remove the stud and all I had left was the lug nut, I only spent about 10 minutes with the drill also.
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: King George VA
Originally Posted by FFR-Z06
I drilled one out that was freely spinning, I can'r rember what size drill bit I used but it was big enough to completely remove the stud and all I had left was the lug nut, I only spent about 10 minutes with the drill also.
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Instructor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 199
Likes: 1
had the same problem with my prostreet 66 pickup need to grind a flat on the top of the lug center punch the center and start with a small drill bit . drill only as deep as the nut depth. progress to larger bits till you get to the treads in the lug. you should then be able to get it of with a lug wrench ps if stud trys to turn while drilling just hold the nut with an open end wrench. take your time and drill straight good luck
Team Owner
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 26,345
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From: SoCal
Originally Posted by Subdriver
I had a similar problem and with the help of a fellow forum member, this is how we (he) fixed mine as well. I put a whole new wheel bearing assembly with all new studs on after my stuck stud was drilled out. Actually put new wheel bearing assemblies on all four corners.
The Dealer was able to cut it off without damage to the wheel....
.....but they damaged my pocket book by charging for a whole new wheel hub
DH
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 408
Likes: 0
From: Miami FL
Thanks for all the good info guys....
Still working on it without success.
I've tried to drill the actual stud itself since I can't get the lug to catch any threads on the stud.
However, drilling right into the top of the stud chipped a titanium coated metal drill bit I was using
What the hell is that stud made out of?
Anyway...I'm going to try to chisel the lug out today and see if it will break off. Hopefully I won't damage the wheel
Still working on it without success.
I've tried to drill the actual stud itself since I can't get the lug to catch any threads on the stud.
However, drilling right into the top of the stud chipped a titanium coated metal drill bit I was using
What the hell is that stud made out of?
Anyway...I'm going to try to chisel the lug out today and see if it will break off. Hopefully I won't damage the wheel
Pro
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 731
Likes: 9
From: Ivins, Utah
Originally Posted by gt-hunter
Thanks for all the good info guys....
I've tried to drill the actual stud itself since I can't get the lug to catch any threads on the stud.
However, drilling right into the top of the stud chipped a titanium coated metal drill bit I was using
What the hell is that stud made out of?
Anyway...I'm going to try to chisel the lug out today and see if it will break off. Hopefully I won't damage the wheel
I've tried to drill the actual stud itself since I can't get the lug to catch any threads on the stud.
However, drilling right into the top of the stud chipped a titanium coated metal drill bit I was using
What the hell is that stud made out of?
Anyway...I'm going to try to chisel the lug out today and see if it will break off. Hopefully I won't damage the wheel
The stud shouldn't be too hard, they don't make them too hard for fear of them breaking, they would rather have them flex rather than break, so, shouldn't be too hard.
You will want to replace the stud anyways, after you get the wheel off, so drill away, just get a bunch of drills in various sizes, start small and work big. If it's a 12mm stud you won't need a drill larger than 27/64", smaller if your not centered.
Consider not drilling all the way thru the stud. If you did not, then you could use a punch, in the bottom of the drilled hole, to drive the stud out the back, which would be the same thing as pulling the nut straight off, your drilled hole would have to be close to the 27/64" though.
I still like the idea of removing all the other nuts, with the wheel off the ground, and then pulling the wheel to one side while turning the loose nut, trying to catch some threads.
Good luck.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 408
Likes: 0
From: Miami FL
Thanks for all the advice guys....
The solution turned out to be drilling through the top of the stud until the lug popped off (right on the drill bit anyway)...
I had to actually buy a $15.00 drill bit to actually be able to drill into the stud (man that thing was hard)....but it finally came off.
One thing that I'm wondering is...can the studs be replaced individually or do I have to replace the whole hub?
Trying to punch out the stud will be this weekend's project.
Thanks,
The solution turned out to be drilling through the top of the stud until the lug popped off (right on the drill bit anyway)...
I had to actually buy a $15.00 drill bit to actually be able to drill into the stud (man that thing was hard)....but it finally came off.
One thing that I'm wondering is...can the studs be replaced individually or do I have to replace the whole hub?
Trying to punch out the stud will be this weekend's project.
Thanks,