3 Ways to Remove a Stripped Lug Nut

A tire shop had rotated my tires and installed them back on my SUV with an impact wrench. The impact wrench torqued on the lug nuts overly tight. When I used my tire iron to remove the lug nut, it completely stripped the lug. The chrome finish on the lug nut was also removed, causing the lug nut to rust.
What can a car owner do to remove the stripped lug nut? I will so you 3 methods to remove the lug nut. The 3 methods are listed below:
Method #1: Use a cold chisel
- First punch downward with the chisel to create a groove to "catch" the lug nut
- Then turn the chisel sideways about 45 degrees and punch counter-clockwise.
Cons - Chisel can slip and damage rims
Method #2: Use a common 12-point socket wrench
- Use a slightly smaller socket then your lug nut
- Hammer the 12-point socket onto the lug nut until it's firmly seated
- Use a socket wrench to turn the 12-point socket
Cons - The 12-point socket wrench will likely be destroyed after hammering onto the stripped lug nut.
Method #3: Use a bolt extractor
- Hammer the bolt extractor socket onto the lug nut until it's firmly seated
- Use a socket wrench to turn the bolt extractor socket
Cons - one time cost to purchase socket
I highly recommend method #3 using the bolt extractor. It's a lot less likely to damage your rims and you can use the extractor many times over if you have other stripped lug nuts. It's not a very expensive investment.

[@TxLoneStar817]

On the side of the road thx bro you’re a real hero 🦸‍♂️ I mean don’t get me wrong Im still stuck with no luck but thanks for keeping me busy while I wait on the tow truck! Fml

[@HelissaXD]

LMFAO 😂😂😂😂

[@HelissaXD]

I'm not laughing because you're stuck on the side of the road, just the way you said it that was the funniest ever!

[@rezagrans1296]

@@HelissaXD merrŕY me (wooooò----t) 😚😍😍😍 wisil🐕🐶 heeeeH

[@rohandsmith]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@soylentramen7795]

I'm laughing cos this video is so legit funny I *had* to read the comments

[@guzman4572]

The second way with the socket worked perfectly for me. Thankfully I had like 6 of that size so ruining one wasn't a problem. I banged it on with a heavy hammer 3 whacks it was on. The lug came off so easy. 12 point socket for the win. To get it off I used vice grips on the socket and just pulled straight out. Thanks for the video very helpful.

[@laserus3333]

Thanks! I've been trying to replace my front brakes and after replacing the brake pads on one wheel I couldn't get the other wheel off! What a pain in the ass lol. Thanks bro!

[@goreobsessed2308]

Same

[@Neenerella333]

Tried the special tool, which you cannot buy just one of btw. Ratchet with long pipe breaker. No dice. Yes there's thread release fluid on it. Tool bit into the nut and still wouldn't turn. Trying brakes too. Letting the fluid sit all night. One. Damn. Nut is holding back the whole thing.

[@yoyoumakenosence]

Dude your the best..did the second way..perfect! Thanks for the warning about destroying socket..i went with cheap one..worked great..thank you so much brother

[@2pintsofcremedementh]

Thanks for the advice, method 2 worked a treat!

[@marcussample2814]

Stuck on the side of the road today. Lug nut stripped could not get it off. Smh. Had my tool✔️ bag ratchet✔️ set and this video✔️. Snatched it right off through the old bit right in the woods. Now I'm home. thanks lol👍🏿

[@sefatsakhauta2849]

Second method worked and saved me from a stress of the day. Big ups

[@qchen3766]

Tried the third method, it worked out! So glad I found your instruction video, thanks a lot!!

[@kevinalvarez6851]

Literally trying method #2 right now thanks for the help.

[@aaron-dv5mu]

How'd it go

[@goodnightvids]

Bro you really saved my day I was really thinking about doing your method 2 but I was skeptical until I saw your video and man it worked amazing make sure to use a breaker bar tho thanks

[@jameskelly2027]

Thank you! I found what I need to get my stripped lugnut off!

[@pickett47]

Well done! I appreciate the video! Method 2 worked great! Kept my socket too!

[@michaelvirginia7749]

Thank you so much. The second method worked perfectly for me. And it only costed me $7.89.

[@terrencecalnimptewa7283]

Thank you" thank you" so much!!!" Got my mother out of her worries of long waiting for someone to take care of her stripped lug nuts. Very helpful diagnostics - truly appreciate it!!!

[@nathankroptavich3750]

Method #2 worked like a charm. Thank you for the helpful tip!

[@frzzzdtm]

mercedes amg f1 should watch this

[@marcuspotter7082]

Great video where can I find a good nut extractor I went through 2 amazon bought extractors both split into before I even bared down on them with my full weight thanks Marcus

[@bradleywalgren3537]

Nothing 3lse worked besides what yiu showed me here, thank yiu so much!!

[@elvergalarga69]

For anyone who has these type of lug nuts, they are just a cap on top of the real lug nut and are hollow on the inside. If you take a flat head screwdriver and hammer it in the center, you can make a hole and wiggle it around a bit. Take some needle nose pliers and peel back the cap, then you’ll see the real lug nut and can pull it off no problem since that part isn’t stripped.

[@Christopherj1225]

Thank you. That technique helped me out greatly.

[@kappykrunch4624]

Thank you so much. You just saved me such a huge pain in my ass.

[@jerrysetlerr770]

How does it still fit the 3/4 socket still after ?

[@jasonrichter181]

Dude me and my family been having hard times and I got another flat them stripped a nut seeing your comment helped me and I got it off to the real nut thanks so much brother

[@krismerritt7792]

@@jasonrichter181 I'm about to try it .

[@stooges1951]

Thank you for your knowledge and sharing this.

[@niranpatelca]

Thanks for the suggestions, didn’t think of options 1 and 2

[@Ty-ry6qq]

Valuable info! I used the 12 point socket idea for 13$ and managed to salvage the socket in the end. The lug looks like hell though… Thanks for the video.

[@baymar84]

Thank you very much. I'm going to try your technique today

[@jaylewis9876]

3rd method worked great! Hit the hammer 100 times.

[@plusultra9576]

HEY GUYS!! one thing that also worked for me yesterday is copper! in construction when a tapcon (aka concrete screw) is too small for its hole we strip a wire and use the copper strands to put in the hole and it basically fills the voids.SAME PRINCIPLE HERE!! find a wire u dont really need, strip it, put the bare copper strands inside your wrench, then put the wrench on the nut and SLOWLY torque it. may take some tries but it works!!

[@khufuspeaks3154]

You are a life saver!

[@markmiranda1710]

A regular 6 point socket will work for this rounded bolt which WAS caused by overtorquing with impact gun which it just the shell no biggie happens a lot just hammer it on to the rounded bolt and I wiggle the socket around the bolt to get it back to normal size and it's good again Ps 12 year experience tire tech

[@charleshines6155]

One easy way to avoid it is to get rid of those things before they can cause a problem. A local tire shop not far from my house has good solid ones with a chrome plating that look good. They are also just a dollar each. That was the best 20 dollars I ever spent on that car. You also have the piece of mind knowing those awful things will never bother you again. My next car was a 2002 Neon and it had those on it too. I got rid of those two piece lug nuts first chance I had for the same things I got on the last car for a dollar each.

[@aaronpatalune4363]

Thanks. I have three dodge caravans in the family and each one has had at least one bad lug nut over the years. Mine have the chrome bubble out so i can’t get the socket on it. Are they rusting from the inside out? I always use method #2 but i don’t need a smaller size socket since the nut is already bigger. $2 or $3 for a new lug nut at the auto parts store and take bets on which one will be bad next time i take the wheel off .

[@russell9206]

Did you have to change out bolt? Your video was helpful. Thanks

[@OvunixClashRoyale]

Thank you so much 12 point worked and i still can use the socket!

[@paudal5586]

Thanks that fix my problem.

[@waleedabdelbari878]

The worst lug nuts are those Chrysler and Dodge wheel nuts. Really poorly built with soft heads

[@samson7033]

Waleed Abdel Bari i agree! I’m viewing this video cause of my 98 dodge lol

[@vernonslone8627]

The problem with Dodge is they have stainless steel capped nuts...I replaced mine with solid ones...Got them online...

[@dracox9476]

Seriously! I’m here because of this Chrysler 200 smh

[@juniortorres126]

I swear

[@carlomango407]

Also ford

[@Keep_Crying_Son]

Thanks bro 🤙 My aristo has a stripped lug so this helps me aslo 👍

[@MarcoEvens]

When using the second method you should use a breaker bar as well instead of a ratchet so you don’t pop the gears inside the ratchet.

[@MikeTheMGTOWMonk]

that's exactly what I was thinking

[@quentinhenderson5297]

Actual facts, a tow trucker broke mine by trying that

[@sabrinaaichele6702]

Thank you so much. Helped me out immensely. 😁

[@Ruben901]

Immensely. Very powerful word 🤣

[@itz_lexiii_]

On my car, ibwas removing thr rims for painting and i was greeted by a lugnut that was VERY tight And due to the shitty fitment with the tire iron, it stripped. This helped me so much and i cannot thank you more. it looked ridiculous with 3 rims painted exept for one

[@Caram3l_Bombsh3ll]

Thank you for sharing

[@Jshowny]

If I use the 2nd method, how many times can I use it? I have 3 stripped nuts that I need to get it.

[@Migspamp]

Thanks for the info

[@Majicman187]

Thanks a ton brotha! 🤘

[@elcidjoseph3522]

Thank you for the info i will now try them on my car

[@gsdls]

Great video. Option 2 worked.

[@ericcastillo6674]

Not a bad video, to not brake your ratchet you should try a breaker bar. The way you used it is a great way to snap the gears inside and with Stanley buying craftsman you could end up with out a tool.

[@somthincre8ive]

Happen to me today

[@19baitmaster51]

My 40 yr old Craftsman 1/2" ratchet wasn't working too good. Popped the c clip on it, put some grease in, good as new.

[@metalgamingwarrior2714]

Thx, great intel.

[@jerrymccullough3182]

Where did you get the socket

[@davidroux1509]

Thank you!

[@cwalker71]

What happens when the extractor socket completely rounds off the nuts? I have a Jeep Liberty with plastic coated rims so I cannot even use any heat. I have tried drilling out the studs to try and break them off and nothing has worked.

[@19baitmaster51]

My old 'Cuda had left hand threads on one side of the car. First time I pulled a tire, broke a stud off with a 4 way turning the wrong way.

[@samgillespie299]

Excellent video thanka

[@mikenorm9791]

You are amazing fam thanks for the knowledge🙏🏾

[@simonj5662]

Tried 2nd method & it worked fine

[@SasiKumar-nl1ud]

I can't find 23mm extractor.. will 22mm or 24mm help to remove???

[@bradsheppard6407]

what size bolt extractor do i get

[@5555boneman]

Thanks for uploading. I saw the extractor tool on Amazon and will try it out. Cheers!

[@LA-DAMA]

I used the heavy duty Extractor with a pipe extension and it worked. That lugnot was so stuck and rusted already ...sheesh.

[@benjames24tube]

Thanks first option worked for me

[@QuietStormAngel]

I accidentally jammed a lugnut …. It hit the ground as I tried to lower the vehicle …. I raised the vehicle back up and tried to remove the nut ( it was already loose before it hit the ground and got jammed) …….as I tried to loosen it all the way it got tighter at the very end and wouldn’t come off …… do you know how I can remove it ??

[@khucgo6193]

Where do you buy them

[@rickmauney8423]

mine was stripped to a round nut...the lugs are 7/8 " so I just hammered a 6/8 (3/4) " socket onto the stipped bug and used a breaker bar to remove it...also sprayed some PB nut lossener on it....worked great

[@outlawmuzic9172]

I used the second way for 2 lugs because I'm to cheap to buy the extractor socket also I used a regular 6 point socket and unfortunately a cheap socket probably won't work because it's to brittle

[@k.and.i]

Can the bolt be reused

[@carlarthur4442]

Thanks 😊 I've just spent 1& a half hours replacing all my wheel nuts on my volvo I've binned the locking nuts cause they where a cow to get off and I've bolloxed my rachet up bent two bars and have one nut that won't budge thanks to the garage that put my tyres on . Can't tell you how pissed off I feel . Had a puncture last week and had to call a tyre fitter out to get the wheel off and put a new tyre on but at least he put them on so I could get them off . It's a nightmare if it happens when your out on the road . Your stuck big style .

[@waltszpunar9721]

2013 Dodge Grand Caravan - same issue. The Stainless leave pealed of off the nut.

[@IamDarthMuller]

same issue

[@stoneyj1a1]

Can you get a new lug nut that is harder to strip?

[@kristenstillstanding7084]

Where are you located? I have a lug nut striped can't no shop take it off not even the shop I bought the tire from

[@VooDooChild504CTTV2]

Thanks

[@kristenstillstanding7084]

Will you please help me get the lug nut off my tire the tire is bad its wobbling so bad

[@queensapphire7717]

I tried every way to remove 2 stripped lugs from my Jeep JK, currently at my mechanic with the rim getting cut off. You would think 1. lug is welded to the goddamn stud. 2. The gag is on me and reverse threaded studs were put in place ;) I bent a tire iron, snapped a 1/2” 3 foot solid steel breaker bar, and tried every type of stud remover, soaked down for a week in penetrator oil, heated, everything.

[@tranformerschevy6637]

Can you use that extraction tool over and over again? I have 5 lug nuts just like yours.

[@jonspeidel]

TranformersChevy yes you can. Impact sockets are harder than stainless steel so it shouldn't damage

[@susangoodman4925]

I have 3!

[@TheYoungjames22]

Once extracted, screw it back on just enough to where its on but can still be unscrewed by hand. Then tap it with a hammer to free the lugnut from the extracter.

[@HeartSoulLeake]

If the lug has really fused to the wheel because of rust, none of those processes will work. In that case, the thread stripping technique will need to be done. That could damage the stem, but that's the price that you would have to accept.

[@bartmanxoxo]

Thanks for the tips !

[@captainbimble]

When using a bolt extractor do you have to use one that is slightly larger than the bolt you're trying to remove? I have 3 nuts which are rounded on my car. You usually need a 19mm socket to remove them but that simply spins now as the nut as so bad.

[@MackMaine21489]

What piece did you stick into the extractor?

[@Xachremos]

jamaine freeman the set should come with a small pole that you hammer through the socket wrench hole.

[@rubiconklbrutorowman7577]

Extractor, I mean "wheel-extractor-lug-nut bolt" did magic without going into an auto shop or car dealer for that no likely or dealer, even tow?" that can cost us at least $40 or more bucks! Ths 4 sharing with us. Never even considered using chisel, but I might have brough "12-point" socket" that might do before resorting to Tire lug nut "extractor!" USA

[@mariopaz639]

What size bolt extractor? You covered it up with your fingers

[@nextmoonyt]

The one shown in the video was 21mm

[@jasonleak27]

Mine cracked now what do I do

[@russell9206]

Where to buy the 3ed option, bolt extractor. I've gone to auto zone, napa, o'riley, nobody has it. No at home depot.

[@perrypayne7100]

Try Harbor Freight or Northern Tools

[@usaf20071989]

I have a Dodge Dart with the lug bolts that use a decorative cover. That cover is your problem here. Mine are swollen on my front driver side rim. You supposedly can use needle nose pliers and wiggle that cover off of the actual lug bolt. Try that next time and it may save you some time.

[@cornell833]

Awesome vedio 👍

[@micknight8158]

Lug nut nut nut nut lol. Go video, bro. Subscribed!

[@aaronbarnes2620]

I was able to get mine off with the 12 point socket. I didn't have to hammer it over the lug nor did it ruin the socket. I used my impact wrench with the 12 point socket and it came right off.

[@michaelsledge3904]

Trying method #2 now. Hope it works ! Been at this for 3 hrs now 🥶💀

[@FernandoGonzalez-gn5bt]

Did it work?

[@michaelsledge3904]

@@FernandoGonzalez-gn5bt yes it did !!!

[@bro5573]

Thanks bro.. 2nd method is not working.. I use 1st method.. And it is workinh to extract rounded bolt

[@LuisGamboa-EIDOS]

But with an aluminium bolt how can you remove without destroy it with a steel tool???

[@chrishickman7059]

If its stripped you already ruined it

[@JCcanU]

#4 Worst case having it cut off with a torch , after all 3 fail .

[@frmula1fan51]

Exact same problem.

[@apretendopretendo7435]

Method one works best it's also useful to hit the lug from the front top bottom and sides try to free it from the stud if you can. All else fails drill it out you will have to replace stud if you do this

[@sleeperjeepsleeperjeep6006]

That extraction tool looks pretty snazy...im gonna get me one of them thangs thanks friend

[@brucecorman7304]

I had this issue also. Same car. I inserted a piece of plumber’s tape within a 6 point socket, hammering it onto the lug nut until it bottoms out, and removed the lug nut successfully. This was after I spent over $22 for a special socket that failed to remove the lug nut. Plumber’s tape is very inexpensive.

[@jesseaguon2151]

Thanks. My new socket served me well 😂

[@montuotojo]

Used method 2, thanks man!

[@jackcarterog001]

Nooooooooooooo! Had a stripped lug nut. Bought a breaker bar and an extractor set. Using a hammer, I pounded the bolt extractor over the stripped lug nut. I inserted the breaker bar and tried to remove the nut. No good. Inserted a pipe onto the handle of the breaker bar and pushed down. THE BREAKER BAR BROKE OFF INSIDE OF THE EXTRACTOR!!!!!!! I'm just going to take it to the shop now. No sense in me doing any more damage :(

[@briana.2877]

I like that bolt extractor. Thanks!

[@xtremeniga]

Can they not make these bolt harder and more durable?

[@jackcarterog001]

They can, but it's good for business to make them easily strippable

[@thefightguy8516]

Genius

[@Enoiye]

The hammering method was 10/10 😅. Was stuck on the side of the road

[@GlitchEmpireBrett]

I’m not saying your vid is wrong but does not work for me I tried every thing to bolt extractor to smaller sockets won’t come off keeps breaking my breaker bars or breaking my sockets I am trying to drill it out

[@wyeung0827]

Is not strip. your nut cap got swollen that common on those style Toyota wheel nut.

[@austinpatterson7062]

Super easy to get the lug out of the 12 points, you don't lose anything.

[@MadCarTK]

A bolt extractor, it's so simple. I hope it works on mine, I replaced 3 of 4 of the tires on my Jeep thanks to a stripped lug nut. I was so mad... It was the last nut of the last tire and it completely stopped my work.