MaxBoost925

iTrader: (33)

So I installed spacers with longer wheel studs on my car - Install went successful as far as I know.

The thing is the spacer company sent me a defective 15mm front spacer (It measured 10mm and it did not sit flush against the hub. I installed it anyways.

I decided to take off my wheels and lower my car even more today BUT upon removing the front lug nuts, the nuts just kept turning and would not come off. I took a closer look - The studs were spinning! (4 of them).

I jacked up the front of the car and took a look behind the brakes - all of the studs were flush in the hub but were STILL spinning.


My dilemma is that I cannot take off the front wheel due to spinning studs and I can't figure out why its spinning. - I know for a fact that the metal of the studs is much softer than the metal of the hub (which is cast iron i believe).


Maybe the studs are stripped from within the hub? I hope the hub isn't stripped because thats expensive (knock on wood).


Help needed!

MaxBoost925

iTrader: (33)

Maybe I can use alligator shaped vices and clamp them down from behind the wheel and then try to remove the lug nuts.

Orgullo

iTrader: (47)

That's what I would try first. Good luck.

kaneda_77

iTrader: (5)

i had that same issue on one of my studs recently... unfortunately it will probly not work. you're going to have to drill though the lug nuts and studs to break them off. but if you can get at it that way, i would do it.

good luck

MaxBoost925

iTrader: (33)

dang thats serious!

kbjy11

so you were able to actually torque the lugs down? when you first started to loosen the lugs, was it tight to start?

sounds like the studs are too small for the hub

did you have to hammer the studs in? or did they go in with your hands?

MaxBoost925

iTrader: (33)

I was able to torque them down. When I started to loosen them, it was TIGHT, I felt like if I turned it more I would snap the stud in half.

I have to make sure they're 14mm knurl.

MaxBoost925

iTrader: (33)

^^^I had to hammer them in a little bit.

Now that I think about it - the defective spacer might have caused my studs to bend since it didn't sit flush on the hub, but that wouldn't have much to do with this stripped issue.

spdfreak

Besides for the fact that you shouldn't have put them on in the first place if they weren't the correct thickness, I would imagine that you would be able to cut off the heads of the studs from the back of the hub with a grinder, or another idea that just came to mind, (not sure if this is the correct procedure) but I would imagine that you might be able to tack weld the heads of the studs to the hub and use a breaker bar to loosen them (not an impact gun, as it might break the weld, because remember, theres not much weld there). After you loosen the lugs (if it works) you can grind off the tack welds and send them back at the company who makes them.

I would first try clamping them down.

Good luck. Maybe some pictures will help me analize the hub and studs.

MaxBoost925

iTrader: (33)

Good idea!

The company is actually offering me free replacements.


I know I shouldn't have installed that defect.

Prophecy99

iTrader: (1)

good luck, studs to me are a PITA

spdfreak

If my idea does work, please take pictures.

Hopefully my engineering degree will pay off for someone.

VIP Maxima

well if your studs turn INSIDE the hub, thats a no no. prolly the teeth inside the hub are worn out OR the stud shoulders are too thin. was it VERY easy to pull the new studs into the hub or rather hard? i dont understand how u were able to view the studs rotate if the wheel was still on. this is a serious problem, your lugs can easily spin off the studs on the freeway. either way you need proper studs or new hub.

MaxBoost925

iTrader: (33)

The vice grip trick doesn't work.

Perhaps I have to tack weld it from the back. That will suck when I have to break the welds.

absoundlab

use a torch and cut them off

MaxBoost925

iTrader: (33)

haha see that's the thing, the brakes are in the way since the wheels are still on - makes things a little more complicated.

I'm kinda scared to torch because:
1) might damage another part.
2) wheels are still on with the tires.

absoundlab

true true can you take some pictures and post them up

MaxBoost925

iTrader: (33)

I sure can, but you can't tell they're spinning - they look just like they're normal. Unless I make a video clip of it but I'm sure you get the idea already.

absoundlab

ya i understand what you are saying

so the longer studs are spinning in the spacers? they didnt grip in there and since they are spinning the lugnuts are also spinning and there is no easy way to get them off

drilling them might be the only way

MaxBoost925

iTrader: (33)

*sigh* I dread that.

MaxBoost925

iTrader: (33)

Does anyone know how hard it is to break tack weld beads? I might consider tack welding the studs in the back.

absoundlab

ya if you can get in there behind the wheel and tack weld it that might work. and to break it you'll need to grind it to get it off.

13sFTMFW

if the studs are spinning already how is drilling them gunna help anything...

spinning drill bit + spinning stud = no solution???????

MaxBoost925

iTrader: (33)

I think what he means is to drill out the lug nuts and then break them.

MaxBoost925

iTrader: (33)

My local Mech tells me he will vice grip it from the back and drill and break the lug nuts. My hub could potentially be damaged.

Well. New lugnuts time!

nlmaxima

iTrader: (10)

If you tack weld the stud from the back side you can usually remove the tack weld with a long cold cut(chisel) and a hammer. I would recommend using a impact gun since it isn't a steady strain on the weld instead in is a lot of small hits.

MaxBoost925

iTrader: (33)

My mech said it would immediately ruin the hub, it will never be the same again. I'd rather give up lug nuts than my hub.

absoundlab

how is he going to use a vise grip in there?

MaxBoost925

iTrader: (33)

I fit one in there. A small one.

nlmaxima

iTrader: (10)

A small tack of welding from a mig won't hurt anything. The thing is a SMALL tack, don't try for deep penetration just a small surface tack. Use a impact gun for best results, many hits per second is better than a strain from a ratchet. If you try drilling and the drill slips you will go into your wheel.

absoundlab

what does the vise grip hold on to?

spdfreak

Another idea: Reverse tap a screw from the back, and use it to hold onto with a wrench while someone else uses a breaker bar from the lug side.

Just my $.02

MaxBoost925

iTrader: (33)

The hat of the stud from behind the hub.

MaxBoost925

iTrader: (33)

That description didn't click with me, elaborate a little bit?

spdfreak

First off this thread was started at least a week agoand you are still riding on the wheel = potential bad day.

My idea. From behind the hub, drill and tap the back of the stud with a reverse threaded tap. Then screw a reverse threaded bolt into the newly made hole and hold it (or secure it) and use a breaker bar on the lug side.

This is just my idea, and i'm not sure if it's correct, safe, or practical...Judge the sitsuation, and do what has to be done. I TAKE NO RESPONSABILITY FOR ANY OF MY IDEAS.

The Law

iTrader: (39)

Acutally he doesn't drive that car at the moment. He has another car to drive around.

MaxBoost925

iTrader: (33)

werd