lug nut problem

[mustangkid05]

took my car to get aligned at the sears auto, and i tried to take my wheel off, and the one lug nut will not come off with a tire iron....its not to tight its just stripped......any ideas, cause if i get a flat im screwed

 

[DTNODYA]

Impact ...

 

[san~man]

Peeps have gotten an old, junk socket and pounded it on with a hammer, then removed the nut.

 

[screamin gt]

Peeps have gotten an old, junk socket and pounded it on with a hammer, then removed the nut.

 

[BobHyatt]

If you mean the threads are stripped, it is a tougher problem. If the flat faces on the nut are simply rounded down, driving a socket on will do the trick. Otherwise you are going to have to try something more difficult. First thought, if you have enough room, is a cold chisel and hammer, and try to split the nut off on both sides. Many wheels have the lug nuts down in deep wells, and this won't work there. You might end up trying to remove the entire wheel assembly (if it is a rear, you need to get the axle out if you can get enough room to get the c-clip out. It is not going to be easy. But if you can get the axle out for the rear, or the spindle off for the front, you might be able to chisel the stud flange off the back and then knock it out from the back.

Next choice is a drill. center punch the center of the stud, and then start drilling to drill the stud (and a little of the nut) out and the nut will then fall out. Knock the rest of that stud out and replace it.

Drilling is the easiest idea, but it isn't exactly easy...

 

[mustangkid05]

its the front passenger side, when i go to put the tire iron on, it grabs it a little, but it just spins does not come off

 

[CobraRed_96_GT]

yup, go one size under from domestic to metric and pound it on w/ a brass hammer or any hammer. Then plug into the socket and take it off, you'll need a new lug and a new socket - lol.

 

[n0v8or]

mustangkid05,

What you described could be interpreted 3 different ways, so some may be offering suggestions that don't apply.
(1) If the lug wrench is turning, but the lug nut is not, then the "hammer on a smaller socket" method is worth a try.
(2) If the lug nut is spinning, but the stud is not, then either the lug nut or stud threads (or both) are stripped.
(3) If the lug nut and stud are both turning, then the spline at the hub end of the stud is stripped.

In the case of (2) and (3), before resorting to drastic remedies (like drilling away the stud), remove the other 4 lug nuts and then ask a friend to tip the wheel and tire toward you to put pressure on the pesky lug nut and stud, while you turn it with your wrench. This might allow a fresh thread or two to engage.

Spray WD-40 or PB-blaster liberally before you start, then wait a hour-or-so for the stuff to penetrate.

 

[DTNODYA]

My bad, I thought you mean that the threads were stripped. Yeah, since the nut is stripped, like others said, beat a smaller sized socket on with a hammer and that will work. Also, as mentioned, let it soak in some WD or DeepCreep for a little while so that it comes off really easy.

 

[mustangkid05]

ok, thanks for all the replys....where do i get a new lug, i probably will have to go with all 4?

 

[n0v8or]

Replacement chrome plated lug nuts, similar to the factory ones, are sold at most parts stores (like Autozone, Pep Boys, etc) in packages of 4 or 5. There will be a chart or application booklet near the display so you can choose the correct size. Replacement studs are not expensive; I would go to a Ford dealer for just 1. If I needed 4 or more, I would order them from Randy at Modular Depot.

 

[GettinThere]

Spray WD-40 or PB-blaster liberally before you start, then wait a hour-or-so for the stuff to penetrate.

Also tighten the other 4 lugs, that might make it a little easier to remove that troublesome 5th lug.