lugnut removal

[OrangeBlooded]

any advice? i've got a stripped lugnut and the 4 bar chevy wrench is stripped as well. i've tried a rag with the 4 bar wrench to no avail and considered hammering a slightly smaller socket on the nut, but decided against it b/c I don't have the tools to get the leverage to twist it off (at leat not yet). I know I can buy a $50 part at Autozone that will take it right off, but it's not worth $50 to me at this point.

any tips or advice would be helpful.

*I don't have air power and towing to a garage is not an option at this point.

 

[_e.]

The slightly smaller socket approach is the best, IMO. Just hammer that ***** on and torque it off. I just went through a similar hell with lost wheel lock keys. The Autozones sell a tool made for just this, for around $15, but you need an impact wrench (and compressor to drive it). Then you need a vise and grinder to remove the nut from the socket.

If you can safely drive to a reputable tire shop, they do this stuff all the time, and will probably charge around $20/wheel.

 

[jmatt]

Can you get vise grips onto the nut? There may not be room, but if you can, that might work.

Just crank it down to grab into the metal of the nut.

 

[NCAAFBALLROX]

My first thought was to try & weld a small piece of metal on the bad nut; one that would allow you to get some leverage on it.

I am figuring you don't have access to a welding kit...

 

[washparkhorn]

Don't use a shotgun:

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[accuratehorn]

They can be impossible to remove. Soak it overnight with a good penetrating oil, then try pounding a good thick slightly smaller socket on there and use a long breaker bar with a cheater pipe. Stand on the pipe and jump up and down on it until one of your nuts breaks loose.
Then call a professional to fix it.
You might break the lug stud off before the stuck nut breaks loose, or it might come loose.
You can try hitting it with a large chisel in the direction of removal, but this is a desperation move, and may not work. Wear eye protection if trying this one.
They get rusted on, cross threaded, or hammered on at tire shops with high powered air guns, and may not come off without breaking something, seriously.

 

[TXSNOS]

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[Alum03]

i would try a pipe wrench if you have one.

 

[AUinAustin]

Make sure you use a penetrating oil designed for this . WD 40 is a lubicrant. My understanding is that it doesn't get thru the rust that well.

 

[Dogbert]

Go buy new tires and they will get it off.

 

[OrangeBlooded]

excellent advice by all. will take it in and start round 2 this weekend.

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[spidey69]

use the right size socket ( a cheap one) and some jb weld. Give it a day to cure, then remove the nut and socket.

 

[_e.]

^
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Now that is a really good idea. Wish I had thought of that.

 

[accuratehorn]

That is a good idea, but sometimes the stud will break off instead of the nut breaking loose, no matter what you do.
But then you can get the wheel off and replace the stud, so you have made progress, at least.

 

[OrangeBlooded]

the lugnuts are deep in the wheel if that makes sense. it's pretty difficult to use a socket wrench unless i get a long *** extension. but i think by doing so, i give up some of the torque i need. damn this thing to hell. whoever sent the article about the guy and the shotgun, i can see why he did it....

 

[flaco]

Yes, using a long extension will limit the torque available because it will twist. I like the JB weld idea.

 

[Seamus McBundy]

Removing Tire With Shotgun

"It kind of makes you wonder which one was really the stubborn nut." Allsome!!

 

[Summerof79]

go buy a breaker bar for the leverage you will need. 25 inch breaker bar is like $10 at harbor Freight. I keep mine in the wife's car with the same size socket at the lugs, in case she ever got in a bind she could break the lugs loose, which is really the hardert part of changing a tire. HOPEFULLY she will never need it but it's there.

Penetrating oil, a little banging and more penetrating oil, potentially a little torch and then the breaker bar. Still you might end up breaking the bolt, but sounds like the tire is flat with the car stuck at the house?

 

[Seamus McBundy]

Depending on how bad the tire is, you may want to just get an air pump, inflate it and drive down to the local service station. Beats braking your back, tools, and causing more damage to your vehicle (imo).

Air Pump

 

[OrangeBlooded]

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[NCAAFBALLROX]

I've already donated my freebie AAA tow to JT, so I'm out... sounds like you need a tow to a repair shop that can get you properly fixed up.

3 Days worth of hassle now vs. getting it done & over with... insert white flag emoticon here.

 

[OrangeBlooded]

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[washparkhorn]

That's the spirit.

How soldiers do it - drive forward with the breaker bar attached to the stuck lug.The Link

 

[Steel Shank]

It's been four days. Where do we stand on our project? Inquiring minds want to know.

 

[Seamus McBundy]

Are you sure you're turning it the right way??

 

[OrangeBlooded]

after a little half ***, mid-week dibble dabble (b/t CWS innings) messing with it, the project resumes (with a vengence) saturday morning. i plan to wake up, decide on an approach (with plans B, C and D) and go full bore at it. i've actually got a few neighbors coming over for their own amusement/festivity. if my spirits are up, i may document the process with details here (with pics). we'll see how it goes....

 

[Prolate Spheroid]

Do it.

Acetylene torches.

12 foot breaker barks.

Super slick "penetrating" juice.

Driving with the breaker bars attached.

Chisels. Hammer. BLOOD!

Good luck.

 

[NCAAFBALLROX]

Is there a dog attached to that "breaker bark"?

 

[Math Mudrat]

Well?

 

[Steel Shank]

I thought recruiting season was intense. Naive am I.