Free-spinning wheel stud?

nelliott500

nelliott500

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Not 100% of the problem yet. Went to remove my rear-passenger tire today to do the brakes and one of the lugs was really tight. I turned it with the socket quite a few times and it would get loose and tight over and over again. Then I realized I couldn't tighten it now either. It's only loose a little bit, but if you wiggle it, it seems like the whole stud is moving around. The stud isn't broken either. I took the other lugs off and still couldn't get the wheel off. I tried pulling on the wheel to keep pressure on the lug while loosening it and it didn't make a difference.

Any ideas? I'm assuming the stud needs to be replaced, but how the :q:q:q:q do I do that if I can't get the wheel off?

Figured I would get some opinions before I go to my mechanic on Tuesday to have them check it out.
 
I would take a look at the back of the hub and see whats going on...

may have to grind a flat onto the head of the stud and hold it with something while turning your socket.
 
Nope. No impact.

Another forum I'm on mentioned drilling into the lug nut and breaking it apart with a chisel or something similar.
 
I had this same issue look up my posts. I ended up disassembling the rear hub and brake assembly from the inside out. It sucked
 
Get big tools, big cuss words, lots of time. Make sure it's well supported in the air, because you'll be using a sledge like you never would've imagined. If you have a proper torch, that'll work, but don't melt the rest of the hub while you're at it.

Or take it to a shop.

Good luck!
 
oddball said:
Get big tools, big cuss words, lots of time. Make sure it's well supported in the air, because you'll be using a sledge like you never would've imagined. If you have a proper torch, that'll work, but don't melt the rest of the hub while you're at it.

Or take it to a shop.

Good luck!
Click to expand...


LOL the way I did it sucked to say the least. I had it happen twice once i took it to the shop and the second time I did it myself. Gotta love the wheels studs on this car.
 
when i was swapping winter tires of my other LS for the first time last month, i broke a 3/8 rachet, 1/2 drive rachet, impact wouldn't budge, and did this to my 4 point....

two guys, with a 4' cheater bar and soaked in wd 40 for a day

wb1.jpg


wb2.jpg


this was after i straighten it back out.... I couldn't believe they didn't break off (or strip)
 
I'm hoping an impact will pop it off. I'm going to my mechanic tomorrow morning. We'll see what happens. I don't mind replacing the stud. That's the easy part.
 
nelliott500 said:
I'm hoping an impact will pop it off. I'm going to my mechanic tomorrow morning. We'll see what happens. I don't mind replacing the stud. That's the easy part.
Click to expand...

Impact wouldn't do it for me. I hope that it will for you.
 
Once you get the stud replaced, I'd suggest snugging the lugs with an impact, and then torque to spec.
 
I have had this happen twice on the right rear. Job is very difficult unless you have the right tools. I suggest a mechanic. So many less headaches doing it this way. Should be about $80.00.
 
Almost sounds like it could be the stock tin cap spinning, not the lug itself. If it's the stock lug nuts, you can cut off the tin cap and use a smaller lug wrench on the real lug. My stock tin capped lug nuts would spin and not come off, and not tighten either as you described. I replaced all those stock lug nuts because of that. If you have aftermarket wheels and lug nuts then it might be the stud as you stated.
 
LDM said:
Almost sounds like it could be the stock tin cap spinning, not the lug itself. If it's the stock lug nuts, you can cut off the tin cap and use a smaller lug wrench on the real lug. My stock tin capped lug nuts would spin and not come off, and not tighten either as you described. I replaced all those stock lug nuts because of that. If you have aftermarket wheels and lug nuts then it might be the stud as you stated.
Click to expand...

I've heard of that, but haven't experienced it so far. I have, however, experienced the issue of one of the rear studs spinning with the nut.
 
LDM said:
Almost sounds like it could be the stock tin cap spinning, not the lug itself. If it's the stock lug nuts, you can cut off the tin cap and use a smaller lug wrench on the real lug. My stock tin capped lug nuts would spin and not come off, and not tighten either as you described. I replaced all those stock lug nuts because of that. If you have aftermarket wheels and lug nuts then it might be the stud as you stated.
Click to expand...

very true... def need to make sure its not the cover..if you have the others off, u should be able to separate the rim enough to see if the threads are moving... unless its still to tight...
 
PB Blaster is best for pre-removal of any bolt/stud/nut etc. IMO. 15-20 min soak, overnite for chassis work, exhaust work. Someone posted Sebring lug nuts fit these, any particular year?


2000 LS, Base, V6, 83k miles (wife's toy)
 
All done. Mechanic didn't charge me. They were able to snap the stud off with two guys + air ratchet. I had to go to the dealership for the stud and lug nut because Advance Auto didn't have the lug in stock and they don't list any parts for studs. Pricey stud and nut. It was just shy of $20. The new stud went in with a bit of work. I had a hell of a time getting the rotor off.
 
You do not need to remove the rotor to install new wheel studs. I have done it twice.
 
I know that now, but I was having a bitch of a time with it and thought I needed to pull the rotor for it. :lol:
 
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