Cannot get one lug nut off of alum mags. Any ideas before I strip the hex top shape of nut??
A few suggestions.
If the lug nut is open end, spray penetrating oil onto the end of the wheel stud.
It may or may not make much of a difference, but don't loosen all the rest of the lug nuts before getting this tight one loose. (Tighten them back up if you've loosened them.)
And this should be obvious, but don't be using some crappy ill-fitting tire iron trying to loosen the lug nuts. Use a deep socket (correct size, of course), preferably 1/2" drive with a long breaker bar.
[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 02-23-2018).]
Not sure if you gotten that lug nut off yet but..............
I have driven (with a hammer) a deep well socket onto a lug nut to get it off before.
I have also used nut breakers, available at most auto parts stores.
Have used "Freeze Off" (I think that was the name), a product that you spray onto the lug bringing it to a very cold temp and causing it to contract and breaking the lock corrosion has on it.
I've also welded another nut onto the old nut and then twisted the heck out of a breaker bar to get one off. You may not want to do this with aluminum wheels.
There are probably several more methods.
Rams
[This message has been edited by blackrams (edited 02-23-2018).]
to further what tshark said, heat it with a torch for a bit, then spray it with water immediately after taking the torch away until it stops steaming, the dramatic temperature change can often time break free any rust
Mentioned earlier but you can't beat a deep snug fitting socket and a long breaker bar, backed up with a 3 foot section of steel pipe just in case. The satisfaction of hearing that "SNAP" is exillerating. Even if you break the stud in the process you'll still have a grin on your face days later.
On the other hand make sure your turning in the correct direction. You never know if a previous owner slipped in 1 left-hand threaded stud just for kicks or a clever deterrent to prevent wheel theft.
ps: GM and others use to have RH studs on one side of the car and LH on the other.
Spoon
------------------ "Kilgore Trout once wrote a short story which was a dialogue between two pieces of yeast. They were discussing the possible purposes of life as they ate sugar and suffocated in their own excrement. Because of their limited intelligence, they never came close to guessing that they were making champagne." - Kurt Vonnegut
On the other hand make sure your turning in the correct direction. You never know if a previous owner slipped in 1 left-hand threaded stud just for kicks or a clever deterrent to prevent wheel theft.
Damn, that would be sneaky!
quote
Originally posted by Spoon:
GM and others use to have RH studs on one side of the car and LH on the other.
GM? I dunno about that. None of the many Chevs I ever owned had reverse-threaded wheel studs. Going way back, I don't think my parents' 1955 Chev even had 'em. I believe Chrysler did though.
[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 02-25-2018).]
Hopefully you've been able to remove it by now. If not, and you have tried everything that folks have suggested, it may be time to use an impact gun. Even an el cheapo electric impact gun from Harbor Freight should do the trick. Also, if it is on there that tight, then there is a very strong possibility that it is cross threaded and you'll end up replacing the stud and the nut.
GM? I dunno about that. None of the many Chevs I ever owned had reverse-threaded wheel studs. Going way back, I don't think my parents' 1955 Chev even had 'em. I believe Chrysler did though.
------------------ "Kilgore Trout once wrote a short story which was a dialogue between two pieces of yeast. They were discussing the possible purposes of life as they ate sugar and suffocated in their own excrement. Because of their limited intelligence, they never came close to guessing that they were making champagne." - Kurt Vonnegut
I've run into this problem so many times ( due to overzealous "auto techs" that crank every lug nut to 150 Ft/Lbs) that I took a spare 1/2" socket wrench and jammed it into a 4 foot piece of steel pipe. A giant breaker bar, if you will.
Now ALL the lugs come off.
A couple of times the stud came off with the lug nut but if you do the oil spray thing, then loosen just a bit, re-tighten, loosen, re-tighten a few times it usually comes off OK.
[This message has been edited by RayOtton (edited 02-26-2018).]
I forgot to mention ... put a long handled four way lug nut wrench on it and a car jack stand on the outside of the lug wrench to keep it level. Then stand on the end of the right side of the lug wrench and jump up and down on it.
This may sound odd buy give it a try. I worked in an auto shop and was taught this.
Try tightening it up a little before trying to loosen it.
A few times my wife has handed me a soda bottle she couldn't open, me thinking I was being funny crank it down even tighter but when I give it back, she's able to open it.
