Help with rounded lug nuts

32sbct · Post by **32sbct** » Sun May 29, 2011 2:39 pm

After sitting for 30 years I have been able to remove all the lug nuts except two and they are a mess. One is completely rounded and the other is worse. It looks like someone took a cold chisel to it and tried to cut it off and they messed up the lug nut and the threads on the stud. They must have tried going the wrong direction and have tightened it right into the wheel thinking they were going left to loosen it. I have special sockets that work on rounded nuts but as luck would have it these are reverse thread so they won't work on these. Any suggestions on how to get these off?

Thanks as always.

hillbilly21 · Post by **hillbilly21** » Sun May 29, 2011 2:44 pm

take a propane torch and heat them up while using a cold chisel..if not

HOT WRENCH...!! but watch out could mess up the brake cyclinder

jasonm · Post by **jasonm** » Sun May 29, 2011 3:23 pm

A 10 dollar Nut splitter,Its a tool that slips over a bolt it has a small hardened blade on one side ,you tighten it up untill it cuts off the nut and does not damage the threads, they come in several sizes.

Jason

oilleaker1 · Post by **oilleaker1** » Sun May 29, 2011 4:48 pm

If the stud isn't turning in the axle or hub, I'd file it until a 6 point socket of the nearest size will fit. Then heat it with a small torch until the nut goes red. Before it cools, use a good air impact. If you heat the nut quickly, just the nut goes red. Has never failed me. A wet rag will cool the stud after the nut is off. Propane is too slow and not hot enough. It heats both the stud and nut. The idea is to expand the nut only. John

kenperkins · Post by **kenperkins** » Sun May 29, 2011 9:19 pm

I did the same thing when I was young (learning must be painful).
Nut spliter works well.

DJ · Post by DJ » Sun May 29, 2011 9:51 pm

Drill out the stud ,drill a small hole deep,then progressively go larger until the nut threads are drilled out. The stud will come out easier too if you have drilled into it. Quick ,easy no heat needed and no damage to wheel.

32sbct · Post by **32sbct** » Mon May 30, 2011 12:03 pm

Success! I tried the nut splitter but I could not get a good bite on the lug because of the way it was made. The suggestion by DJ to drill it out worked like a charm. The threads on the studs were beat anyway so no loss there. Thanks to all all for your suggestions.

DJ · Post by DJ » Mon May 30, 2011 4:50 pm

Glad it worked for you,I've done the same thing more than once.