So I was at the dealer last week to get wheels rotated and they told me they couldn't do it because one of the lug nuts was stripped on the rear passenger wheel. I argued with them that the only time the wheels were off was when it was in the dealership and they agreed to fix the stud as it was documented the times I had the car in for wheel balance issues, here's the catch they told me if the wheel is damaged in the process of freeing the lug nut I'd be liable to pay for a replacement rim. Honestly the biggest crock of **** I have ever heard, ok so besides that anybody have any tips or methods to removing a spinning lug nut? I know it's not the stud that's spinning, I figure I get the lug off myself and I'll bring the car back for them to fix, thanks guys

 

The lug must also be spinning or the nut would come off.
One word of advice about dealerships....stay the heck away from them if at all possible.
They're mostly nicey-nice until your warranty period runs out and the stealership begins.

 

Call your local Less Schwab or Discount tire place and see what it would take to get it fixed. If you have a tire problem always best to go to a tire outfit to get it fixed.

 

Thanks guys, dealerahips been pretty fair with me up until this point. I will bring it to local tire shop for help, next question is it safe to grab the lug nut and try and pull it up with pliers. It seems like it's right on the outter edge of the stud, if not I won't mess with it

 

Safe? sure, whats the worst that will happen? I would try oversized socket and see if I can angle the impact to force the socket off by applying side pressure on the nut. You can also try to split the nut with a cold chisel, not sure how well it would work. Apply electric black tape to your tools to prevent damage to the rim. There are special sockets that remove stripped nuts, again not sure it would apply in your case.

Can you please better describe whats going on?
Is the socket spinning trying to remove lugnut?
How can the lugnut be spinning and not come off?

 

i am going to try all of these, to clarify I as I turn to loosen it just turns continuously, I could sit there and spin it all day and nothing. If I actually get it off I'll be able to clarify more in detail what's going on with the stud

 

well, one of 3 things has happened.
1. stud is spinning it either came out of hub or actually stripped the hub
2. stud lost threads
3. lug nut lost threads

good luck with your attempts.

I have once shattered the top of the "secret" lug nut that my Honda came with.
Just trying to take the lug off with regular L shaped wrench that comes with the car. I completely panicked. Then I read in Honda Owners manual, which states that any accessory installed by Dealer when you buy the car is covered by original warranty. Dealer took the remnants off the lug off, but damaged the rim in process. Ended up giving me a new rim and a new set of "secret" lug nuts. First thing I did when I came home was remove those darn things.

So with that, I tend to think that if the dealer wont cover it under new car warranty, I would try splitting it with cold chisel. Either way it sounds like you will need a new stud and a new lug nut. Take your time and go slow.

 

Thanks maxud, the helps much appreciated...I'm going to tackle this first thing in the morning

 

I would let the dealership handle it, and make sure they pay for all repairs.
There are only three things that could cause a lug nut to spin freely, and not come off.

1. The lug nut is is a pos and the threads are sleeved instead of machined. Very unlikely. Would most likely come off easily.
2. The splines at the base of the stud have stripped. Going to have to cut the lug nut off. High chance of damaging the wheel. Most likely an air chisel.
3. The splines or meat of the hub around the stud has sheared. Will have to cut off like above, but then have to replace the hub.

Good luck.

 

im going to call tomorrow and speak to a manager and see if they'll cover the whole job in case the wheel is damaged in the process or at the least split the bill.

 

A little update: I got the lug off, and here's how...nothing special, I loosened the other lugs, jacked it up, took the lugs off, gave the slightest pull towards me and it simply fell off. Now I'm going to bring it to the dealer because they said they'd replace the stud for free, u can see at the end up the stud where it's stripped, the stud is firmly in place it was just the putter edge catching the lug nut...anyways thanks for help guys, I think I got this under control from here

Just one last question, I'm getting this fixed but might not be for a couple of days, is this safe to drive for a few before it's fixed?

 

Properly torque the other nuts and it shouldn't be an issue for a couple of days.

 

I did thanks bud

 

You won't have any problems with 4 lug nuts till you get it fixed.

 

Like others have said, 4 lug nuts will hold till it's fixed!!

 

Ya I figured, it's been like that since last week when I found out and god knows how long it's been like that before hand. The lug nut was on but barely so in essence it's the same as not being on. I appreciate the help guys

 

Like a loose tooth ready to fall out.

 

The manager at the dealership might have one of those if they try and play stupid tomorrow

 

Also tell them to NEVER again use an impact gun to install your lug nuts !!!

 

Update: finally had a day off yesterday to bring my car to the dealership, fixed the hub stud for free and also threw in a tire rotation for free

 

Caulk one up for the owners here. The dealership would have had to legally cover the loss if especially if it was documented. I know that from being a mechanic myself. Dealership insurance is there for such an instant. The service adviser probably hated the fact that he would have had to file the paper work. Mechanics get paid by the book anyway so I'm sure they wouldn't have cared. The Mechanic would have probably gotten written up for quality checks or something. You need to strong arm the dealership by knowing your rights as a consumer you tell them how it is by using their own agreement against them. If you know line for line what you signed you will know that the liability lay on the dealership for services performed.

 

It's too bad that they are not so forgiving in every situation