My GLE Maxima 2000 is giving me a hard time with wheel studs breaking off when removing wheels, especially the front wheels. I am very careful to torque the lug nuts at 85 lbft; however, even after I have replaced 5 studs with Nissan new parts, this is still happening. This is a difficult procedure which involves pressing the studs into the wheel hub and then getting the front end aligned, etc. Does anyone have any solutions? (I have also encountered this same problem with my 1992 Maxima SE, front wheels.)

 

Maybe try a little anti-seize compound on the threads or maybe your torque wrench isn't accurate.

 

Yup, had the same problem immediately after I got my Max. Dealer wanted $6 per stud. I found out that 2k1 and 99 studs are identical and got bunch of those for $2 apeace from AutoZone. Had them on for over a year now. Replaced my rotors and pads few weeks back, and the studs are still holding up ok.

 

Yes, you are right. I have already used the anti-seize and the problem still happened. My torque wrench is accurate, I am a mechanic with 25 years experience and use this torque wrench daily. Do you have any other suggestions?

 

What length are the replacement studs?

 

Did you use the wrong thread lug nuts? this happend to my bros 240-broke 2 studs trying to take em off.

Also why do you remove your wheels so often?

did the stealership have a "reason" why this keeps happening?

 

Try torquing your lug nuts to 75 ft/lbs. That's what I have mine at. The recommended torque is 72 to 85 I believe. Also check the thread pitch. They should be 1.25 MM.

Are the studs that are breaking off rusted at all??? That's weird they are breaking off so much. I have had some problems with mine, but not so much since I started torquing them all to 75 ft/lbs.

Good luck.

 

All signs point to torque wrench.

 

I'm honestly lost here - you have enough experience to use proper thread studs and "feel" the force while torguing nuts. I never had this problem and I remove my wheels twice a year to change tire set (summer/winter). Just an idea - if the same studs keep breaking then I'd suspect wrong thread on new ones if others - I have no idea . I tried to torgue mine all the way to 120 and had no problems afterwards.

 

I too have a few mechanic years under my belt. Ditch the Torque wrench and get any lugwrench. Tighten them with the wheels in the air, then put them on the ground and do the final tightening (using the same wrench). They dont have to be exactly 85 lb ft. Most of what matters is that they are above 70 (which anyone but an 90 yr old lady can make with a regular lugwrench) and that they are all relatively close in tightness. Overstrees and faulty thread pitch seem to be your issue here. Try this and see what happens.