I was taking off one of my wheels today and all the lugs came off fine except for one. That one started to unscrew just fine, but then the lug got really hard to turn. At this point I figured I would just have to break the stud and then replace it (no biggie I did a search and found plenty of information about breaking and then replacing it), however as I applied more force, I noticed that the lug was stuck to the stud and the two were spinning together.

From what I can tell by moving it back and forth, the back (inside) side of the stud has come out of the hub. So, I don't think I can break the stud off now and I have no idea how to get the stud out so I can get my wheel off. I'm thinking I may have to cut the lug nut off of the stud, luckily I have steel rims so I can get next to it. Is there a better way to do this, or should I just take this to a tire place?

 

tire place man, fix it in no time

 

They might torch it off the hub assembly from behind or something if you bring it to the local brake shop.

If you have a Dremel, a few cutting discs and good access to the "head" of the stud bolt (on the inside/backside of the hub assembly), you may be able to cut the head off and tap the "headless" stud out through the hub assembly and out through the wheel with the lug nut attached. (You'll need a punch and a hammer to tap the stud out from behind).

I'd prefer to try that angle first, before allowing a hot cutting torch too close to either my wheel or hub assembly. Either could be damaged if the operator isn't careful.

(Example: if the grease inside the bearing [inside the hub assembly] gets cooked by the torch, you could be looking at a bearing failure down the road. . .)

Good luck!

 

i messed up da hole for my stock wheels.. damn cheap lugz. have you tried hitting the stud from the other side? try sticking the bar on the nut and jump on it, it might just break w enuf force.

 

I'm a little worried that if I start jumping on it I'm going to damage either the wheel itself, or the actual hole the stud fits into in the hub (this is my bigger concern). I think that I have enough clearance to use the dremel from the outside, or maybe a hack saw. If I can just get this damn gorilla lug off of the stud then I can pull the wheel off and deal with replacing the stud.

 

I had a similar issue...car was raised on jackstands and nut would not come off...only spun with bolt ...lowered it, still nothing.

Took it to mechanic and just had it off ina sec with impact wrench.