Wheel stud...a big deal?

tackepj · January 9, 2007

My gorilla mechanic put my lug nuts back on SUPER tight last time, and when I went to rotate my tires, I found one of the front lugs cross-threaded. I can't budge the sucker off of the stud.

I guess I'll need to replace it. Is it a big deal to replace a wheel stud? Should I let a mechanic do it? (I don't have an impact wrench)

95Sierra2500 · January 9, 2007

1. shame on you for not owning an impact wrench.

2. They're not too difficult to do if you can get the stud out. This is where alot of people would run into a problem though, because the 95's have hub assemblies that I would personally remove and put in a vice. Then I'd heat the area around the stud and drive it out with a hammer. Then insert into the hole and with the old acorn-style lug nut, set up two washers and the lug nut BACKWARDS (flat side toward the hub) use the impact wrench to pull the stud in all the way.

3. shame on you for not owning an impact wrench. Harbor Freight has sales on them all the time.

Steves95Sierra · January 9, 2007

Is it a big deal to replace a wheel stud? Should I let a mechanic do it? (I don't have an impact wrench)

Hi tackepj...

Replacing the stud itself is pretty straight forward.., fairly easy.

Antoni's wheel stud replacement (whoever Antoni is - but sure do appreciate the fact he has this page out there to save me from typing ).

Tough part is going to be getting that cross-threaded lug nut off...

Steve. . ..

Ooops... 95Sierra2500 beat me to it. Sorry for the fodder...

tackepj · January 9, 2007

1. shame on you for not owning an impact wrench.
2. They're not too difficult to do if you can get the stud out. This is where alot of people would run into a problem though, because the 95's have hub assemblies that I would personally remove and put in a vice. Then I'd heat the area around the stud and drive it out with a hammer. Then insert into the hole and with the old acorn-style lug nut, set up two washers and the lug nut BACKWARDS (flat side toward the hub) use the impact wrench to pull the stud in all the way.

3. shame on you for not owning an impact wrench. Harbor Freight has sales on them all the time.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yeah, time to spring for one, I suppose. Just wired the garage for 220 so I can get a decent compressor, then the impact tools...but a welder has caught my eye and I gotta draw the line somewhere. It's definitely in the plans, though.

Thanks for the tips. I'll try again with the cheater bar, otherwise it's outta my hands.

pm26 · February 2, 2007

The best way to remove and install a stud is with a shop press. Of course, the hub must be removed do this.

98 Z71 SLT · February 8, 2007

Boy...you guys are making tons of work for yourselves.

No need to.

Break the stud with the lugnut off.

Jack up the vehicle.

Take the affected wheel off.

You might have to remove a caliper, rotor or drum. Set aside.

Pound the bad stud out with a hammer. Works 100% of the time. Usually a good "tap" and it pops right out.

Get the new stud centered and started. Then tighten as best as possible.

Re-assemble truck.

dietz4ibanez · February 23, 2007

Youll find it easy to do especially if your lugs are tightened by air impact and then the one time you have to take thmem off by hand 1 or more breaks on you! That just means that someone was having nascar flashbacks with the impact and tightened your lugs too tight. Its wierd that this post came up cause the other day I put new pads on the front of my truck. I did the driver side no problem and then I get to the passenger side pull have the center cap and 3 of my studs with lugs were loose in there broke off. From this experience I learned that before you go to the parts store to get your replacement lugs, spray the busted ones down with penetrating oil they will brake freely alot easier! And it doesnt hurt to check your lugs about every oil change because I dont even know how long those studs had been broken I didnt feel a thing!!!!