New challenge: removing a stripped stud and lug nut

Shocks, springs, sway bars, coliovers, bushings, brakes, wheels, tires - This is the place to discuss G-Series suspension modifications!
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audtatious
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So, you are happily going about a tire or rim change and you are tightening a lug nut to find that it never tightens. Then you discover you can't remove it either. It just spins and spins. If it's the lug nut or the wheel stud being stripped then you may be in for a long and expensive day. BUT, there is hope!

A few weeks ago while working on a fellow NICOnauts car we ran across a similar issue in that two lugs did this on wheels using extended aftermarket studs. As they had not really been torqued down there was some play on the rims and after cutting the top of the lug net and prying around following a good soaking with Liquid Wrench we were able to get those off and the studs replaced. We then ran into the exact same issue with the other side involving two more studs (turned into 4). No wiggle room here. Can't tighten the wheel and cant drive it to a mechanic with only 3 studs working (and being very afraid to tighten those too)...So, what to do?

Being creative we grabbed a socket as a guide, a 1/2" bit and drilled the bishes out!!!!

Here's a how-to on what is needed: Wheel stud drilling

Here's the first one removed:

Image

FUN TIMES!!!
(NOT)


joe603
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Saw the video of a NICO member drilling out the wheel key bolt...scary how fast it was. Glad you didn't have to replace stud!

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audtatious
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We did have to replace the stud, they were all stripping out. Eventually all 10 extended studs were replaced after 6 of them stripped out.

I'd like to know what kind of bit the other person used as it took more time than I expected with the ones we had.

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AZhitman
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More importantly, what brand were the extended studs?

Lesson to all: A little anti-seize on your lug studs (the threads only) is cheap insurance.

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audtatious
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Not sure the brand. I'll refer to the original owner to answer that question

The studs were fine with initial hand tightening but would start spinning once some pressure was put on them. Originally the car had 20mm spacers that were stuck on there pretty good and seemed to ensure the studs were seated. Once that spacer was removed and we put the wheels on then the studs would not stay seated and would start spinning out.

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AZhitman
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Sounds like the hub was shagged.

Once a stud turns in the hole, the knurled holes are damaged, and won't take a stud properly any longer. You might get one to seat, but it won't be long before the problem resurfaces.

Fezzik
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It was H&R extended lugs. We had to cut one off in my garage. He put bigger teeth on the studs.

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audtatious
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They should hold fine until the next tire rotation at least :)


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