How To Remove Chrome Caps From Lug Nuts

I decided to film this video after I had problems removing the lug nuts from my wheels. The lugs were installed very tightly and the chrome caps were stripped out allowing the lugs to remain tight while the caps spin freely. This is a method I found that works​ with minimal effort.

[@theodredofrohan9727]

Those caps are definition dumb. Thanks this helped me out. just spent an entire afternoon trying to figure out why the lugs on my town and country are just spinning

[@TerenceDIY]

Yep, those caps were a poor design. I am glad my video helped you. Thanks for watching.

[@smokemirrors1531]

i'm amazed at your calm stature.. i'm livid

[@sbentsen2714]

yup, I hate this shit its so dumb

[@yea6509]

Livid isn't strong enough for me... Very amazed wish I could stay that calm. It's just one of the dumbest designs I've seen. People screwed on side of roads everywhere all because some idiot had a cheap out idea to make it look pretty (I'd say cheap ) that somehow made it thru to production. Man give me some old rusted looking dam lug nuts as long as there metal and I can change my dam tire in 10 min instead of 2 dam hours. Fuck I gotta go before it's nam all over again. Peace thanks for the vid bro

[@SamTheGreatIAm]

I agree with smoke and mirrors and with yea... What a dumbass design that makes an already challenging roadside repair impossible 🤯

[@mgd455]

This is what makes the Internet and KZbin such a great tool. Great video Terence. This is not just a Chrysler issue. I have a 2012 Ford Focus with those stupid, decorative, serve-no-purpose chrome caps. Can you imagine being on the side of the road with a flat and having stripped one of these stupid things??? You're screwed !!! I stripped one in my garage trying to change my pads. Now that I know what to do, I will remove all those stupid caps.

[@caramia1203]

I can and it happened to me today. Flat tire got all but 1 lugnut loose. Thank goodness I had AAA since I was 40 miles from home. What pisses me off is that two of my lugnuts were bare from this happening before and the mechanics never pointed it out to me.

[@mgd455]

Word to the wise, your factory lug wrench no longer fits once you remove the decorative cap. Removing the cap reduces the size 1mm. So if you remove all the decorative caps, you better carry a socket and breaker bar in case you have to change a tire. I replaced all my lug nuts, cost me $40 but it was worth it.

[@coreymcgonigal9486]

I’ve been struggling with these Damn caps for years, was about to take my car to a shop, thought I’d check online. Dude- you just saved me $120, now I can change my brakes. Thank you so much, ppl like you make the internet great!!!

[@coreymcgonigal9486]

Also- Toyota Corolla, so it’s not just Chrysler.. I think they do it so you are more inclined to take your car to a dealer. Pitiful engineering.

[@lucaslang5844]

Just used this and it’s a great strategy! Easiest and cheapest way I’ve seen. You probably already have all the tools for this

[@aham4256]

Thanks for sharing this, I was having hell of a time getting these off the do my brakes. Good thing I did not get a flat in the middle of nowhere!

[@j5892000]

Same I quit because I couldnt get them off after 25 mins of back and forth research an try tools that I had on hand. Such a shit show. Piss poor design in my opinion

[@cadenroulston3139]

I was in the exact same situation

[@njstorozuk]

Same with the brakes bro. I just had a melt down

[@davidmrohde]

I live in the middle of nowhere and while taking garbage out I heard a bad crash. Turns out a guy hit something and destroyed his rim and tire. I couldn't get those f-in caps off. 12:30am and I stayed till a cop came by. Car mfgr’s shouldn't make it so damn complicated. Thanks for posting, and, something to watch for when buying a car!

[@bretth7812]

Saved my life! Dodge dart same issue with caps. God tier my friend!

[@TerenceDIY]

That's awesome! Thank you so much for watching.

[@mrichbrown]

Great video. Searched Ram Forums for a good couple hours trying to figure this out. Just ordered some McGard 64008 lug nuts for 2011 Ram to replace these ridiculous capped OEMs. Thanks again.

[@TerenceDIY]

Thank you Matthew and thanks for watching.

[@raftmanmikefitz]

You saved the day. I was all set to put pads and rotors on my 2010 Ram 1500 and could not get those lugs off the passenger side. It took some time but I got these chrome caps off. Thanks again!

[@TerenceDIY]

You're very welcome, Michael. Thanks for watching!

[@hillstfr]

Holy Miley this was a lifesaver. I was at wits end trying to figure out what went wrong. I though the lug was spinning but the I reached behind and didn't feel any movement. This fix got the stubborn lug nut off. The other 19 oem lug nuts are going in the trash and I am ordering 20 one piece ones for the spring tires. This video was a life saver and huge time saver. Now I get to watch football today instead of finding a mechanics to fix this thing.

[@DANNYO53]

Good stuff! You show the real experience of dealing with pain in the a** situations. You riffle through a bunch of the different kind of tools that I would have scattered around my knees to get the job done (while freezing your butt off if looks aren't deceiving)!

[@michaelreutter9821]

Thank you so much, been fighting these things on my car. Between the poor design and the fact that most service centers can't figure out how not to over torque them, they are a total disaster

[@TerenceDIY]

No problem, Michael. I am glad my video helped you as it did others. Thanks for watching!

[@davidmeyer7199]

Great approach for folks without tools stranded on road without the right sockets to take off I usually just take what ever socket that is right size and hammer off but if u don't have the tools this is a great idea thank you for video

[@robschmidt5014]

Great video. Looks like I will be doing this to get my tire off and then buying new lugs..

[@peterbrosbol7982]

I had to do that with my chrysler 300 such bullshit they would put chrome caps on them lugs

[@andyp9747]

Thank you! I hate those caps. Once I get mine off I’m gonna buy new lugs without those stupid caps.

[@TerenceDIY]

You're very welcome, Andy. Thanks for watching!

[@mortengulliksen1218]

Brilliant. I had not seen such a patent before and was cursing out my Ford Kuga. You saved my day. Thank you sir.

[@jeremiasrobinson]

I wish I had watched this video before I was stranded in the mountains today because i couldn't get my wheel off. Now I know though!

[@bradcullen3629]

Bro - just watch your video and was able to get mine off of the tire . Thank you for the video

[@usofliberty]

Thanks for uploading, just happened to my dodge challenger.. happened to my older brother awhile back to. this can ruin a guys whole day and this approach is quick and easy. Good thinking man, thanks again for uploading.

[@jeffforte8473]

After a ton of frustration and thinking I was losing my mind till 4 am last night in the rain, and after 6 hours of searching web as to why my lugs felt loose enough to come off but wouldn't, I finally discovered thru your video what was my problem....Thank You!

[@TerenceDIY]

You're very welcome, Jeff Forte.

[@Rockstars-Gig-Memorabilia]

Thanks so much. You saved me from buying a pair of special pliers which no doubt would not have worked!!

[@TerenceDIY]

You're very welcome. Thank you for watching!

[@judyj5604]

My hero❤❤❤ thank u so much for this I have been to 7 different tire shops & Everybody wanted to torch them and flip me the huge bill. No way will take off myself I hate these lugs

[@TerenceDIY]

You are very welcome, Judy J. I am glad the video helped you.

[@cadenroulston3139]

Thanks og. Saved me a lot of time and angry words

[@TheSchwartz36]

WHEEEw Thank you kind SIr! i have been driving around for months thinking wtf will i do if i get a flat! Literally took me 5 mins to take the dreaded cap off of my 2012 Honda Accord. Luckily it was one piece so i don't need a socket to remove the bolt! Thanks again

[@DanielBillingslea313]

Thank you! I didn't have a drill ready, so I used a knife and a hammer. Worked perfectly!

[@TerenceDIY]

That's awesome! Thank you SO much for watching.

[@even7steven]

This was extremely helpful. I've been looking for a video that doesn't require using a hammer and chisel to get these vanity caps off. Thanks.

[@TerenceDIY]

You're very welcome, John. Thanks for watching!

[@danelatham215]

Amen brother, than you!!! I'm dealing with this right now on a 98 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

[@TerenceDIY]

You're welcome Dane. I hope you get them removed. Thanks for watching!

[@bobsquires4521]

Good job - bud. A set of new chisels are effective too - but they're real sharp so look out. What a pain - just discovered the Toyota Avalon lug nuts are over-tightened - so going through the same bs! Thanks for posting.

[@TheManOnTheRadio]

Thanks sooooo much for this great video. My Camry XLE has similar lug nuts and the chrome skirts always get rounded off because they are between 21mm and 22mm and neither fit. I even bought an expensive set of Irwin bolt extractors but they didn't work because they were too short to get down far enough on the damaged lug. Your method looks like a winner.

[@lovinglife4327]

Underrated video you're a life saver for real thank you 🙏

[@TerenceDIY]

Thank you very much and thanks for watching.

[@yvettemeza3485]

So underrated it should be the consumer video of the year. This really wasted alot of my time and its Dodges fault. I think it should gave been a recall

[@anthonycodair3589]

Bruh thank you so much i thought i was about to pay ridiculous money to get them off

[@TerenceDIY]

You're very welcome. Thank you for watching.

[@joezuz1966]

Very helpful! Just came from the shop & they wanted at least $100 to do that.

[@michaelcumbow6940]

God bless you sir! You saved me money, time, headaches, etc.. And made me look like a hero in front of my wife! Thanks again!

[@KINGSL0THXXIII]

Man I appreciate you sir! Helped me in a pinch!

[@TerenceDIY]

You're very welcome. Thanks for watching!

[@RokkitAk]

Thank you, I was stumped on why it looked like my lug but was blown out, now I know it’s just the chrome cap

[@kylephillipson5262]

Thank you! This helps me with a Nissan Maxima. I didn't have to cut the top like your example. I spun the top with a little larger socket until I was really free spinning then pulled it off with needle nose pliers after drilling in hole.

[@TerenceDIY]

You're very welcome, Kyle. I'm glad you figured it out. Thanks for watching!

[@jimmydasani8922]

Tried this. agonizing an unconventional. Took a holesaw to them instead and made my life significantly easier. Thank u for the video nonetheless

[@Alana-qk8we]

You the man on KZbin regarding this problem ! Right on bro.

[@Bubbajoetbonemal]

Thank you very much for posting this video. It was a Godsend. :) One of my brake pads had started grinding on the rotor, so I had to change my brake pads, but when I went to take the tire off, I got all the lug nuts off except for one and that's when I came across your video. I wasn't able to get the chrome cap off completely but it was just enough to be able to get a socket on it and get a good bite on the lug nut and it broke free. :) I read that there is a major lawsuit against the Ford Motor Company for this very reason. Thanks again.

[@TerenceDIY]

You're very welcome.

[@gregr1154]

my Ford Fusion has the same style lug nuts (as far as i can tell). out of 20, only a few are removable using the normal 19mm socket. at least one is now round. i guess this is going to be a great method to try tonight!

[@williamhartsock1296]

God bless you sir- Dodge chrome covered lugs- so pitiful in design- what a poor design- thank you

[@zeusboy1000]

William Hartsock

[@JohnDoe-gm5qr]

I replaced all of mine with solid ones that are even chrome plated and look good for just a dollar each. Best $20 I ever spent on that car. I never had another problem with lug nuts on that car again. I know those ones with the cap are just horrible.

[@mickjager5974]

Ford has the same crap on theirs. Only one that's been a real problem to me is one that got fouled up to where I can't get a socket on to it to be able to turn it off. Decide to try and cut it off the other day, but had something else come up that stopped me. Googled to see if some had a video showing how and if it could be done. So glad to find out yes! I've already had several fall off on their own! Was thinking of buying non-capped, but may just take all the caps off, then at least they'd all be the same size. As is some are the capped 19mm the uncapped are 18mm. The spare tire lug wrench seems to work on either size. And I wonder if once you have the top peeled back a bit if you could drive a flat blade screwdriver down the lats and pry it off fairly easy. Thanks for the video!

[@t.b.616]

thanks...now I can tell the mechanic what to do so I can drive again. you the best

[@facedeace4684]

I have a Ram1500 with same rims and those silly lug nuts with tin foil wrapper caps. They damage easily, ESPECIALLY if you are not using the correct socket size. What I did, was a hammer, a couple of sockets in imperial and metric size, and a good set of pliers. What you are going to do is hammer form the tin cap back to size. with the first larger socket, hammer it on. Use the pliers to then wiggle and pull the socket off. Go to the next smallest size. Hammer it on. wiggle pull it off. ... and so on, until you have the right size. and the tin is again tight on the nut underneath. Use a lubricant, light grease. Worked great for me to reform the ones I was having trouble with to where I could then get them off normally. Lesson learned, use the right socket size and you will not have this problem! Use the wrong fraction size bigger and you WILL have this problem.

[@thrashingmetal]

light taps or it will get stuck forever

[@jeradlawrence6852]

Nice!!!! Thanks for the help man!

[@anothertimemaybe1209]

I’m a single mom. Thank you for the heads up before my baby and I ended up in a really bad situation.

[@oilpond]

lol🤣🤣🤣

[@dougmcminn920]

Thanks, I knew this could be done. Never saw it though.

[@TerenceDIY]

You're very welcome Doug. Thank you for watching.

[@gailvila180]

Thank you! I thought I was the only one who couldn't figure these stupid things out.

[@185chargers]

Wifes dodge caravan lug doing the same shit. Thank for the video bro.

[@gilerd77]

I hammered a 22mm heavy duty (impact gun strength) socket onto the lugs and got them off that way. Just hammer the socket back off once its loose. I was just out there now fighting this crap on the durango. Looks like firestone overtightened the lugs and now the caps are finally toast. Metal shavings on the studs after removal. I just wish I didn't have to do everything myself without guaranteed damage from other people.

[@gogoajojo1]

I love it; sometimes it takes the WRONG tool(s) to do the really frustrating jobs!

[@TerenceDIY]

Thank you. LOL.

[@mbbedard]

Such a big help! Thanks Terence. I couldnt figure out why they were spinning and nothing was happening.

[@TerenceDIY]

You're very welcome, mbbedard. I'm glad the video was helpful.

[@cheesedog68]

Thank you so much! You're right: there's not really any info online I could find either about this issue. I'm gonna try this on my next day off.

[@TerenceDIY]

Hi, sorry for the delayed response. I have just finished my film school course, but now I'm back! You're very welcome. Happy New Years!

[@invisabledad]

Exactly what I needed to know! Thanks!

[@innovationpropertyatlanta]

Very helpful!! Thank you!

[@rbxgamer1545]

Thanks dude my lugnuts on my car are hard to take off thanks you are the man

[@bethdezember5796]

Thank you so much for this video!

[@TerenceDIY]

You're very welcome Beth. Thank you for watching.

[@SladekillerOfficial]

You my sir are a life saver!

[@TerenceDIY]

Thank you and thanks for watching.

[@CCROSS5882]

you can also hammer on a 7/8 socket. what size is the nut inside the cap?

[@carreteras101]

thanks for posting the video. yeah, these chrome caps on the lug nuts are a bad idea. what's worse is that the socket no longer fits on the cap!

[@nonameisthename138]

Thats EXACTLY what I'm going through now with a buddy of mines car! Thanks a lot!!

[@drewlabowskishow903]

You’re are the man 🎉much love

[@TerenceDIY]

Thank you and thanks for watching.

[@freddubose8539]

Thank u sir. Needed this.

[@TerenceDIY]

You're, very welcome. Thanks for watching!

[@mugz1985]

I use a set of needle nose pliers and just wiggle it back and forth until it pops off. You can then tap the cap back on after you replace the tire.

[@mediomonti]

Thanks friend. This saved me a bunch of trouble.

[@eandersen4662]

Exactly what I needed! Thanks!

[@dustingulseth673]

Thanks for the video!!

[@TerenceDIY]

You're very welcome. Thanks for watching.

[@2handsfull]

My trick is to drill the hole and then try a big wood BOLT. If it stripes out with that I then cut it like you did.

[@lui.510_3]

Thank you it helped a lot

[@Freeuse-ck7kw]

Thanks for your vid bro. It really helps me removing the nut on my car. Really appreciated it

[@Stopherson1]

Thanks for posting this! Saved me a head and money out of my pocket.

[@doublebasserrazzmuss2408]

I have a question. Is it possible to trim off the Cap of the lug nut to use on a longer stud? I have some lugs that barely too shallow with the finished end, thought if I just trimmed off the cap, that would allow the lug to tighten all the way.?

[@TerenceDIY]

Although I don't recommend that, it should work.

[@jeanowens4377]

Thank you so much for your video

[@TerenceDIY]

You're very welcome, Jean. Thank you for watching.

[@davidwhitmore6588]

thanks for posting that operation doc!. you saved my day.

[@mrflamewars]

My favorite method of removing ruined lugnuts has always been the old tried and true method of hammering on a 6 point socket that's a size too small so that the points dig into the nut and allow you to remove it.

[@njstorozuk]

You wild as hell. That works until the socket breaks. I've done that a time or two

[@optimus0161]

Great video thank you very helpful helped with my wife's Dodge Charger.

[@anothertimemaybe1209]

Thank you. I just found out about my truck having a defect.

[@TerenceDIY]

You're very welcome. Happy New Years!

[@petepfannerstill]

Excellent work Terence! Thank you.

[@TerenceDIY]

You're very welcome, Pete. Thanks for watching!

[@bosshogg6629]

Hey bro I have a Dodge charger 08 and it has capped lugs nuts and stripped when I got it I couldn't find anything on KZbin with a straight forward answer about this thanks I hope 🤞 this works for me

[@TerenceDIY]

I hope it works for you to bro. Thanks for watching!

[@yvettemeza3485]

Yes thank you. You know what's without anybody capping on you. Thank you but I have one question. If you don't have a drill how much is it a process to burrow through without a drill. What would on market? I was looking for an extractor but none in stores for my lug nut size. You didn't say your size. I have a 2006 base magnum

[@TerenceDIY]

You could probably use a hammer and a pick because the caps are thin. I believe this 13/16" extractor will also work unless your lugs are 22mm. Click the link below. www.autozone.com/tools-and-equipment/test-scan-and-specialty-tools/stud-remover/p/cta-13-16in-emergency-lug-nut-remover-socket/453074_0_0?spps.s=2599&cmpid=LIA:US:EN:AD:NL:1000000:GEN:8062087320&gclid=Cj0KCQjw5ZSWBhCVARIsALERCvw8ZX_AzTcQ-bOzAsqCydQ6SO0g0TmVRZehf9vJp64EQTEwgZLVHTMaAp0VEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

[@yvettemeza3485]

Hey friend would that be something in stock. An my lugnut size is 21 mm but front are larger. I watched a few videos that were pretty good but are 2005 Dodges and they are 22mm. I did get the stripped one off by doing exactly that which was using a 13/16 over stripped cap it did shape it tight enough to put in my ratchet and break it free The new lugs fir front were 5.49@ 60$ is high for Dodges mistake. Been trying to do brakes in front and hub bears assembly in front as well fir past week.

[@TerenceDIY]

Those lugs are expensive. I went to the junk yard and got 5 nice sets of lugs from off a Dodge Magnum, Charger and a few Challengers. The guy charged me $10 for all of them. Were you able to remove all of the lugs?

[@yvettemeza3485]

@@TerenceDIY I didn't issue with torque wrench. Get here's a question autozobne had a loaner tool but 184ft lb for hub nut spindle that makes the loaner tool a 3/4 drive instead of the 1/2 my question is what kinda difference dies it make when you need to torque a smaller say 13.. that's not 1/2 or even close to 3/4 can you use an adapter like you would if it was t a torque to change rachet end to say a 3/8

[@luvr381]

I used a hole saw, worked great.

[@BigRedMachine94]

Thank you so much! Saved me 100 bucks

[@mralero]

You sir are a life saver thank you for this video worked amazing on my f150

[@hardhitterradio3430]

Thanks man for this video....I'm going thru the same shit at this moment!

[@Dee305sr]

This worked great for my dodge ram. Thanks! 👍

[@mjkirk12]

Similar issue with Chevy Equinox. The chrome caps bulge and split over time - could not get a socket on them.

[@randylahey5005]

You such a big help I didn’t that was a cover thanks

[@123jctc]

Whats the name of the pliers? I heard airplane pliers I looked it up and they dont look like the ones youre using?

[@TerenceDIY]

They are technically called aviation snips. Thank you for watching.

[@j5892000]

I can't do it. Not sure if they just pull straight off or if they are attached to the nut in such away where one must hate a reached and unscrew the whole thing

[@shanesmaineshop]

I had the same issues so i just got new solid lug nuts from amazon for about $12.

[@KingCasaba]

Just had to rescue my neighbor. Hammered a 3/4 deepwell on and told her to get new lug nuts. Those outer casings are fucking criminal in design.

[@HerbMoore3]

I wonder if a self-drilling self-tapping screw would work.. 🤔

[@TerenceDIY]

Maybe?

[@USNitrousTV]

Thank you. Excellent info.

[@georgef920]

Just hammer a smaller socket on resulting in the cap locking on to the socket and the nut, saving you from damaging your wheel and trashing the wheel nut

[@TerenceDIY]

Hi George Fletcher, you can do that however, you risk the damaging the cap as well that way. Trust me I know. Thanks for your comment.

[@darrenmcmackin330]

Cool Thanks man,bout to lose my shit with this wheel

[@juliovidaurri4193]

thank you for the video saved hundreds.

[@flowerchild777]

Aluminum should be easier still, right? Thanks

[@TerenceDIY]

Yes.

[@flowerchild777]

@@TerenceDIY My husband got a "twisty" set and got it off. My brain works differently than his, probably because he's male and I'm female. That's usually how that works. I only hope he replaces them with a whole set that doesn't have those stupid caps on them. Thanks again for sharing your experience.

[@buzzpennywinner6000]

I just went through this on a 2010 Ford Focus. Took me an hour to get them off. What would happen if you had a flat on the side of the road. You would never be able to change a tire without all the right tools. Absolutely stupid idea. But then I guess it is a plugging for AAA and wreckers. Job security and birddog fee management, I guess.

[@TheMcooper17]

did it to to my 08 focus, kept the one as an adaptor a for the nuts that arent aftermarket

[@smokemirrors1531]

Exactly - Ford designers are a bunch of pricks.

[@Kevin-sy9oi]

They have sockets for them. I can't remember right off hand what size it is but its either 18.5mm, 21.5mm or 22.5mm. I believe its the 18.5mm but not 100% sure. About $12 a piece on eBay. The problem is, no one uses the right size from the start. I might be wrong. The rams may be 22.5mm. It's been a while since I worked on vehicles.

[@TerenceDIY]

Hi Kevin, thanks for sharing that info. Happy New Years!

[@DoctorOreos]

Thanks, definitely a great advice.

[@gaarasama1719]

Then what size is the lugnut underneath? My chrome caps popped off and now nothing I have fits on the nut underneath and they strip easy af!