When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Use angle grinder to cut parallel chunks out of the remains
Do that with an angle grinder (cheap at Harbor Freight) and be careful to choose locations of cuts that doesn't damage the wheel or the stud; note that there are four cuts in all, 90 degrees from one another. Stay back from the stud at a distance greater than 1/8" and make the cuts parallel (important). You could try to make the two cut on the second side result in a fit for a standard wrench size or just use a crescent wrench (tight on the adjustment) and did I say parallel???
The circular graphic in the center is the assumed outer limits of the stud.
Heat the results with a propane torch for a moment or two before attempting removal being careful not to get direct heat on the wheel; low flame helps. If at first you don't succeed (you don't want to strip the metal, ie too much torque), heat it some more.
After looking at the pics again, it appears that the broken nut partially unscrewed before breaking, otherwise that section would have been recessed. It appears to be up quite a bit from its tightened position in a couple of pics.
In any case, being close to the outer wheel surface is helpful, if it's recessed it's going to be a bitch to remove.
If there's just a thin disc of metal remaining, you could jack up the car, remove the other nuts, and wrestle the wheel back and forth to help free it up.
Thanks to everyone that shared their thoughts and ideas. I reached put via email with pictures to broken tap and still waiting for their response,
for visual reference this is what the lug nut looks like whole. This is a stock photo so the one i used; bottom half is a bit longer. When I get a chance ill take an actual shot of what Im using
Last edited by NiteriderFRC; Jan 21, 2026 at 01:20 PM.
Reason: Photo added
Judging from the photos of the stock lug nut and what's left of the lug nut in your hand, it appears that it's just the threaded section beneath the lug nut flange that's left on the stud. You may be able to remove the remaining lug nuts and pop the wheel off. The section of that nut that holds the wheel on is already in your hand. Good luck.
Cheers.
Judging from the photos of the stock lug nut and what's left of the lug nut in your hand, it appears that it's just the threaded section beneath the lug nut flange that's left on the stud. You may be able to remove the remaining lug nuts and pop the wheel off. The section of that nut that holds the wheel on is already in your hand. Good luck.
Cheers.
great observation! it does look like whats still left on the stud is flanged or tapered and pressed against the surface of the wheel (hope that made sense) only one way to find out I guess. 🥴
SoCal shop recommendations – split lug nut snapped during torque
