Can't get lug nuts off

[spacepirate]

Hey guys,

I can't get 3 off my front lug nuts off because they are stripped. I've tried the gorilla grip socket but can't get it deep enough on the lug to get a grip. I just sprayed some WD-40 on them and gonna let them soak but I'm open to any help or tips!

[DTM Racing]

Is the nut spinning on the lug or is the lug spinning in the hub?

[spacepirate]

The outside of the nut is rounded off but I just purchased a nut removal kit from Pep Boys. Going to try it in the morning and hope that it does the trick.

[craig510]

Sometimes you can pound a smaller socket into the nut. We use to use this to remove "locking" lug nuts that were missing the key.

[spacepirate]

Yeah I tried that and will again but with more love if the special tool doesn't work.

[Vince@Meanstreets]

That sucks, tuner nuts? These aren't on your new wheels are they?


Vince

[mitch_04]

I had a similar problem recently. I took a big bolt, welded the front of it onto the back of the lugnut, then put my socket on the bolt. The heat from welding also helps removal.

[RBuhr69]

If you are careful and have enough room or long enough chisel or old screwdriver you can make notches to get the socket or lug not removal tool something to grab on to. Also depending on the wheel if you can get some heat on the stud itself directly, then try to loosen it....Just some thoughts, good luck!

[NOT A TA]

Make a notch in the face of it with a chisel and use air hammer to spin it. I do it fairly often on rounded nuts or when owners loose the key socket for locking nuts like the round McgGard ones.

[pokey64]

I lost the key for the locking lug nuts on my 72 C10. Found a pipe with similar diameter as the nuts and tack welded it on. Spun it loose with a pipe wrench. :superhack::gitrdun:

[Vince@Meanstreets]

these wheels? http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php4?t=44051

[spacepirate]

Yep!! I bought the Works wheels from your guy and I can't get the last 2 nuts off the rim front drivers side. I seriously need help.

I hammered a socket onto one and got it off but that doesn't work with these last two.

Tried the special tools and they don't work.It's too shallow for them to grab the lug.

[Che70velle]

Yikes! It looks like you've already marked the wheel up. If it were me, I'd drill the studs, at this point. It will take some work, but you can drill the studs out with a good, high speed corded drill, and a quality bit. It looks like the end of the studs are concaved, so centering the studs should be fairly easy.

[Vince@Meanstreets]

Ouch, I would try to see if you could hammer on a 12 point socket on there. Trying to drill the stud will be a pain and trying to cut the nut will only put more hurting on that wheel. Are you using an impact gun? High speed spinning is the key.

Also put undamaged nuts back on the other studs and torque them to down. It will take pressure off of the messed up ones.

[Sieg]

What type of studs?

Is it at all possible to remove the brake caliper and remove the hub assembly?

[spacepirate]

I've got a buddy coming over tomorrow to see if we can put our heads together. I'll keep everyone posted. Nightmare!

[Vince@Meanstreets]

What type of studs?

Is it at all possible to remove the brake caliper and remove the hub assembly?

That was one of the things I was thinking of but looking at the pictures of his wheels it would be tough getting the center cap off. Plus the calipers are pretty close.

[Sieg]

That was one of the things I was thinking of but looking at the pictures of his wheels it would be tough getting the center cap off. Plus the calipers are pretty close.

Don't understand getting the difficulty in removing the cap?

I must say I'm pretty impressed with the effectivenes of the wheel locks though. :D

[spacepirate]

If only they actually were wheel locks! HA!

[Sieg]

If only they actually were wheel locks! HA!

Oops! Well they certainly are now!

[cluxford]

can you get in the back of the disc and grind / cut the end of the stud away

[MarkM66]

can you get in the back of the disc and grind / cut the end of the stud away

Or remove the axle and drill out the stud from the back.

[Che70velle]

Again, I'd drill them from the front. You only have to go the depth of the nuts, and your golden. Use a high quality bit. Unless these are ARP studs, this should go quickly.

[Viperlover]

I've had to drill out a stud before with closed ended lugs. Had to dimple the lug to get it to center and also had to use cutting fluid and not go too fast. I believe if you go too fast you will harden the stud/dull the drill bit. The cutting fluid was absolutely necessary in my case.

[OBeer-WAN-Kenobi]

I had a similar problem recently. I took a big bolt, welded the front of it onto the back of the lugnut, then put my socket on the bolt. The heat from welding also helps removal.

This ^

Or use another nut and plug weld it to the lug nut. If you don't have a welder and the car can still move, put the other nuts back on and drive it to a shop. They should be able to weld another nut on or get them off for a few bucks.


ETA: Whoops, I somehow missed a page. It looks like they are through-nuts, not acorns; if so, looking at your pictures and seeing how they are recessed in drilling them out seems like the best option. Just use a smaller pilot drill and then come back with another one that's about the same size as the diameter of the stud.

[spacepirate]

Thanks for the advice guys. I think you're right about drilling out the studs.