Stripped Lug Nut....Help

rtstrack · #1 (**permalink**) 03-23-2008, 05:24 PM

I can't seem to catch a break with my new cobra, for gods sake it isn't even registered yet. I have a flat (simple fix), but when i got to the last lug nut I found out that the bolt seems to be stripped. The nut is fine, I can get plenty of grip on it, but the bolt seems to be stripped and keeps turning and turning. I did some quick research and seems like the only thing that can be done is to cut it, crack it, or drill it off and replace both the nut and the bolt. Before I break out the grinder are there any other alternatives????? Thanks

Ryan

MaSnaka · #2 (**permalink**) 03-23-2008, 05:34 PM

Doesn't the lug just get punched out the way it comes through? I had a Toyota Celica that I twisted several lugs on before I learned that they don't get tighted as tight as I could get them. Seemed the fix was simple to punch them out and insert the new one. It was a long time ago. John

rtstrack · #3 (**permalink**) 03-23-2008, 05:39 PM

So you mean I should get behind the tire and try to punch the bolt out the front of the tire?

Cobra #42 · #4 (**permalink**) 03-23-2008, 05:47 PM

RT We deal with that problem a lot with our fleet of cars. Sometimes you may have to remove the hub or brake rotor that is holding the lugs. You didn't mention what type of hubs you are using or what type of Cobra so I can only guess. Remember always torque to correct specs. The main thing is it's not a big deal, you will have to replace with same exact lug. Go online & try www.daymotorsports.com they have a nice selection. db

MaSnaka · #5 (**permalink**) 03-23-2008, 05:56 PM

I am assuming your tire is off and your looking at your disc with 5 studs staring at you. Without seeing it it's hard to say for sure what you need to do. As I remember the lug had a sort of head and was knurled at the head side of the shank before the threads started. You punched it back through towards the axle. Look at the backside of the disc and hopefully it will make sense. Remember I am referring to a Toyota.

Good luck, John

rtstrack · #6 (**permalink**) 03-23-2008, 06:01 PM

John

No the tire is still on the car. I can't get the nut off of the stud (hence holding the tire on the car), because I believe the stud (where ever its attached) is stripped. I think I'll try jacking up the car further, blocking it up, and then get behind the tire and see if I can detach the rotor or punch the stud through.

Scott S · #7 (**permalink**) 03-23-2008, 06:17 PM

If you have the 4 nuts off try putting the wheel and tire in a slight bind towards the nut you need to remove. Sometimes the increased friction on the backside or the stud will help.

You will need to replace the stud that is giving you trouble, be sure to center punch around the hole after you insert a new one. Doing the same for the others wouldn't hurt also.

scott S

Cobra #42 · #8 (**permalink**) 03-23-2008, 06:18 PM

RT Sorry I didn't read close enough, I thought you had the wheel off. Next fix, try using an air gun with socket on lug nut in reverse, while applying pressure to the wheel or tire, pulling away from the car. Usually you can spin the lug of in reverse. Thx, db

Jerry Clayton · #9 (**permalink**) 03-23-2008, 06:19 PM

Ryan

It would help to know a bit more info--

What kind of car
Front or rear
Type of suspension/axle
type of brakes

To get the wheel off-- put a couple of the good nuts back on to hold the wheel steady
Drill thru the middle of the nut deep as the surface of the wheel, using larger drills until you have drilled aprox 1/2 inch and the stud will break off so you can remove the tire/wheel. Now then you can knock out the stud stub and replace---you may need to knock out another one to use as a sample

Jerry

Anthony · #10 (**permalink**) 03-23-2008, 08:27 PM

Does the nut spin on the stud (bolt), or is the nut/stud assembly turning together with the stud turning in the axle flange?

Ibr8k4vetts · #11 (**permalink**) 03-23-2008, 08:46 PM

You could try tightening the two studs on ether side of the striped stud and then try the striped one

fsstnotch · #12 (**permalink**) 03-23-2008, 08:53 PM

Vise grips or grinder.

Anthony · #13 (**permalink**) 03-23-2008, 09:08 PM

I'm thinking a hammer and a chisel, to split the nut. You may ruin the wheel.

Ronbo · #14 (**permalink**) 03-23-2008, 10:34 PM

Try to take the whole hub off. You'll need to unbolt everything off the caliper and rotate it off the mount.

You may be able to get to the back of the stud from under the car, either drill it out with a 1/2" drill bit or grind the head off. (Depends on the shape of your knuckle)

You can also unbolt the knuckle itself from the A-arms to get the assembly off the car. (support the lower A-arm with a floor jack)

If your lucky the stud backed out but it's likely the splines are not grabbing at the base of the stud, either enlarged hub stud hole or bad stud. Just for grins try running the lug down with a impact wrench and see if it grabs/seats then loosen.

Once you get it all apart I'd change all the studs out, If ones bad there might be others and this is not something you want to ever do again.

This could also be from a tire shop not pre-threading the lugs and they cross-threaded it with a impact wrench. (seen this more than once)

Full Throttle Al · #15 (**permalink**) 03-24-2008, 07:53 AM

Weld a bolt to the end of the stud that is sticking out, then use a wrench on that bolt to hold the stud still and use another wrench to back off the lug nut. Once the wheel is off, easy to replace the stud in the hub but it does need to be pressed in place.

Jay Little · #16 (**permalink**) 03-24-2008, 08:10 AM

I have used the method that Jerry recommends several times. I have never damaged a wheel, and the only cost was a stud and lug nut. Just take your time.

JBo · #17 (**permalink**) 03-24-2008, 08:11 AM

Split the nut, place the stud and nut post splitting