Spinning Wheel Stud & Seized Lug? What Would You Do?

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The Bit was cutting great, that's why I didn't make a pilot hole
@WrenchingWithKenny @traditionovertrend2704 @snafuperformance2136 #wesselmotorworks #wesselmotorworks #wrenchingwithkenny

[@anthonywilliams6764]

With the greatest respect to your skills Kenny, I would have used a smaller pilot drill to the depth of the wheel nut, and then progressively opened out the hole until the nut threads were drilled out. In my opinion, either High SpeedSteel Drills, or best of all are old fashioned high carbon steel drills cut better than titanium at this sort of job. I would not have lubricated the job either, let the drill do it's work, and keep the speed lower to prevent overheating. Your programmes are excellent and I look forward to watching each new upload. Thanks and best wishes.

[@rizla6220]

Hi, has above i would tackle this problem the same way :) I have had to remove a Discovery 3 wheel nut that was round off, wheel stud was seated ok, how i went about it was my workshop has a plasma cutter, on a low setting just kept a cut on the side of the nut, with presser like you did, and it came off, with no damage to wheel or stud. love your vids :)

[@londen3547]

Sure, drilling a pilot hole first the job would have went faster, the problem is getting that pilot hole straight. Personally I would have taken the same route as Kenny.

[@waltp3373]

I was thinking the same thing. I always drill a pilot hole before going with a 1/2" bit. The drill bit wouldn't get hot as fast or dull as fast. I would also use a heavier oil than WD40.

[@donames6941]

Yes a pilot hole first and reshart that bit dont toss it and theres a way to sharping it so it cut faster

[@6atlantis]

Why wouldn’t you use a cutting oil in this case? I am honestly curious as I’m a DIY guy, but in the last year I have started taking on larger projects and drilling through thicker metals.

[@ronfox8905]

Ive learned to put a prybar between wheel and hub, apply outward pressure, and let air impact do the work. Snaps the stud right off

[@vetteguy6902]

Exactly what I was thinking. Seems tension on the stud would have allowed the lug to loosen.

[@brianmac1]

I've had to do this numerous times. When I get to the stage where I've gone as far as I dare with the drill, I usually find I can simply knock the stud out from what remains of the nut with a punch and a few good hits.

[@Gerginthehat]

I worked at a store shop and ran into this stuff all the time. I have experience as a machinist helper, and I fabricated a set of sockets with a bronze sleeve to keep the nut from moving while drilling the stud.

[@timblanchard7126]

That's along the lines of what I was thinking. The sleeve could maybe be held in place with putty if you didn't want something permanent.

[@jamesbingham4538]

Many thanks to the bone headed engineer who thought those chrome caps would work. Had a similar problem on my Jeep Liberty. All of those worthless caps are in the scrap metal bin!

[@mikeross8486]

Kenny..... I'm 74 and a darn good mechanic 🎉, and I can learn from any of your videos. Simply, because there is ALWAYS another and maybe an easier way to do anything!!

[@gillgetter3004]

Amen

[@jonperley7304]

Yes at 70 retired mechanic I always learn every day!!!😊😊

[@vilemerchant]

You did well to keep your cool, I would have been ranting and raving all day.

[@ewconway]

The lug nuts with aluminum caps in my opinion are a hazard because they warp/bend and you sometimes cannot get the lug nut off with a traditional socket wrench. If you have a flat tire on the road, you are SOL. I replaced all these lug nuts with solid steel lug nuts.

[@WrenchingWithKenny]

You're absolutely right! Nothing is worse than swollen nuts 😉

[@ewconway]

@@WrenchingWithKenny lol 😂

[@garyr7027]

Yeah those caps suck once they crack and expand from rust and other reasons. I've had sockets jam on before, didn't think I'd get em' off.

[@RM-vr9pd]

Hi i had that problem before and i solved just sliding a saw blade between the rim and rotor golding it with a players and using the impact to turn the lug nut and the blade cut the stud in couple minutes. May be the idea help to next time ur videos are very clear and helpfull thanks

[@joehyundaitech7961]

lisle makes the bearing tool to insert the new stud

[@dandaman4985]

A parking lot mechanic way to removing spun wheelnuts: you get someone or something to push hard on the inside of the wheel, thereby attempting to hold the wheelstud in place, at the same time wrenching or impacting on the nut to unscrew it.

[@stevemeade6072]

Good job. Patience is your friend. Now I will know how to approach this if I ever need to. Thank you for your very informative videos!

[@doncodman913]

I was told by the machine shop to use cobalt grade drill bits as they are tougher than standard HSS drill bits . My ford focus was a nightmare using HSS drill bits. rgds Don

[@ThisIS_Insane]

Kenny's new book: How to finesse a broken stud to save your day!! Well done! You keep doing you, Good Sir!! 💯💯👏👏👏

[@johnhubbard8357]

In a situation like this I would have used the 1/2" bit to make a dimple in the center of the stud and then use a small bit - say 3/16" to drill a pilot hole. The 1/2" bit will drill a lot easier then. With a 1/2" bit in a drill press you can get some real leverage behind it that you can't with a hand held drill.

[@WrenchingWithKenny]

I find that if the drill is cutting good , I just keep it going . But if the drill is having an issue , I will indeed drill a pilot hole . Next one I get I will show that process. Thank you for the input !!

[@46fd04]

John, how are you using a drill press in this situation???

[@reubenonofrei6914]

Thank you for this video!!

[@edgardominguez8678]

I had the same problem. I solved with a very thin and a small cut-off wheel 3 inch in diameter it was attached with an extension to a small drill. I precisely placed the cutoff wheel between the wheel and the hub component, where you placed the crew driver as the spacer. It was very quick and very low risk. I only had about .3 of a cm between the wheel and the hub. I managed to not damage any other parts of my 2016 Acura ILX. If you want the video, let me know sonIncan send it to yoi.

[@EtherealEye5]

Hi um yes please I would like this video 🥴

[@vicpetrishak7705]

StrongArm Lever Arm Rig drill motor holding fixture chained to the wheel spoke , apply heavy load , slow rpm’s and cool drill bit with engine oil . 6/4/23

[@rickwidlund3512]

Great know-howto video. Thank you.🔧

[@manuelsalvatierra2940]

we set the car down, with spinning lug at 12oclock, pull bottom tire out while setting on the ground with block of wood under the tire to put more pressure than the other tires. with the weight of car, we usually get those out. if not we use the drill

[@TimTurner115]

I made it to like that back in the eighties. Put studs back in the hubs. I didn't know I should have patent it back then. Thank you sir you keep up the good videos

[@dans_Learning_Curve]

I installed 5 studs in an auto parts parking lot because studs started breaking during a road trip. The whole strut and wheel bearing was from a salvage yard. We hit something on the road which took out the strut and bearing. Studs probably had been over torqued before I got it. Lucky I was able to put them in without pulling the hub. Manually crank each stud in. Had to improvise because the lack of tools at hand.

[@jorgefernandez-mv8hu]

You made it look easy! Great Job in not destroying the rim.

[@lexalford358]

I have used a good hardened impact socket for a drill bit guide to both hold the nut and align the drill to the stud just a bit of advice from a machinist 1/2 inch drive socket and a drill one size smaller and the rest is easy

[@lonwillis783]

Genius with Kenny Thank You ! 😁

[@ralphmadera4366]

This is what I have ever done , never had fail , I use a socket of the same size as the nut , hold the socket with vise grips and drill the nut in the center , starting with a smaller size drill bit and then using a drill bit of the size of the stub , 10 to 15 minutes of work , it will break free !

[@cleivycruz5543]

Oscillating tool + diablo metal blades , cut stud from behind in between rim and hub . Worked for me the , bend a little the blade to get there , works only with rims like this one with enough access space .

[@flhusa1]

Ford Ranger neighbors truck. Spinning studs so I wedged a chisel or beater screwdriver behind stud head and loosened lug nuts. Replaced studs good to go.

[@danman2070]

Well done mate! Thanks for putting this up I have the exact same problem and will approach it this way.

[@mathewpennington7049]

Brother I just drilled out a stuck lug on my ram. If the lug is stuck take a good four-way lug wrench put a bar on it with constant pressure right before breaking point and hit the end of the 4 way with a 3 or 5lb hammer it will alway come loose...or break lug off. I learned this after drilling out the lug

[@robhunter2435]

Another cool video Thanks Kenney

[@richardbrown8794]

I have been lucky.never had that happen thank you .for all your knowledge.

[@albertlanger2339]

Top instructional. I would have ruined the rin. My mate in 1985 bought a year-old M3 BMW. Despite instructions, he got a wheel balance and ended up with lead weights on the outside.

[@arthurjohnson5773]

First of all before I put that expensive big drillbit in there I would’ve drilled me a 3/16 pilot hole and then use my big drillbit

[@wilcleno1866]

Once you find the center of the stud start with a small drill bit and keep going up in size until you get to the proper size. That way you will not dull your larger bits. It has always worked well for me.

[@johnmiller732]

3/16, 3/8, then go to 1/2"

[@angelcintron2122]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge and expertise Sir. You have saved me tons of money by following your videos. God bless you. Take care and stay safe.

[@WrenchingWithKenny]

Thank you for watching! I appreciate your comment 👍

[@jonperley7304]

I've been turning wrench since I don't remember probably with a dipper on with my grandfather as he had his own shop and also went to GM training center in Dedham mass and have never run into this problem thank God as I feel I'm a good mechanic above the average and at 70 year's old Ive never ran into this problem and I have to say yes this is the only solution!!!👍

[@WrenchingWithKenny]

Thank you for you kind words. I really appreciate your years of service as an automechanic. Thanks for watching 🔧

[@sferg9582]

I'm a retired machinist, and when we had to remove broken studs, bolts or pins I would use a smaller drill diameter that was about the same as the larger drill's web thickness to predrill. The larger drill needs a lot of pressure for the chisel edge of the bit to dig in.... but with a predrilled hole, the chisel edge doesn't have to work the metal out and will drill very easily, very little pressure.

[@russellstephan6844]

True dat! Work your way up to the drill hole size. It works much easier that way.

[@G31mR]

That's correct; a pilot hole drilled with a 3/16" drill will make the work much faster and easier.

[@rickylafleur5823]

just a side note. on styles like this where the caliper bracket is bolted in front of the spindle and not behind, just pop the center cap, free the axle nut, caliper bracket and remove the brake hose. next undo the bearing and take it all off then you can just grind out the back of the stud and punch it out. obviously check the bleeder valve beforehand to weigh out if this is a good route. this way guarantees you will not damage the rim and is less hassle if everything comes off nice, especially since you had to pull the bearing anyway so this would of nullified the drill time and damages from going through the front. nothing wrong with the way you did it and hindsight is 20/20. for me personally this just alleviates the stress of damaging the rim and feels like less of a headache.

[@BADD400]

Very informative video Kenny thanks

[@CannaMike420]

What keeps the new stud from spinning in the hub like the old one? The knurling obviously failed to secure it in place. The hub was probably damaged by the spinning stud and slightly wallowed out. I might of tacked it in place while on my bench. I’ll add that this is something I’ve never had to deal with.

[@k9under]

Awesome job.

[@EnglishTurbines]

Drill a 5mm pilot hole first, then follow up with the 1/2 inch bit. WD40 is mainly paraffin. Cutting oil is way better...😳🤔🇬🇧

[@curtishill6490]

That's a pain in the butt job lol. I've found them like that once or twice while towing. Not all that common but it happens. Thanks Kenny as I never fixed one myself and would be stumped lol. Thanks and take care🙏

[@murrayhalbert2988]

Good vid! I had a similar thing happen to my 2010 silverado rear drum brakes first time putting snows on. I also drilled the the stud, I sacrificed the cheapest deep socket I had and welded it to a short bar, then drilled my the hole back through the socket. It worked but lubricating it with curse words seemed to help. an old term "there is more than one way to skin a cat" But every way the cat is cold.

[@davidedmunds3409]

I've encountered this on a few occasions, I've found the best method to be to drill a small pilot hole down the center of the stud, then use a steel hole saw to cut the lug off the stud 😎

[@comeaud2645]

This was an enlightening video. Thank you

[@gregorynicholls1299]

I had a problem where the studs were a poor fit and would spin if there was any corrosion in the lug nut. I got around it by drilling a small hole in the chrome cover and spraying some WD in each one. Let it soak a bit and the nuts came off easily.

[@bryandurban7104]

Hi Kenny. Something similar happened to me in the uk in a lay-by with my Ford Transit van. Had a blow out and had to fit the spare. I drilled two smaller holes in the nut at 180 dg. to each other and then split it with a sharp cold chisel. Thanks for your videos. I really enjoy them

[@trottermalone379]

Good call. Lug nuts are made from a steel that is much less tough (i.e. has a lower yield stress) than wheel stud steel which is some damn tough stuff!

[@bryandurban7104]

Didn't really think about it at the time Trotter, but when you put it like that, it makes a lot of sense

[@mississippiarrowheads421]

My dad says (boogered up) all the time

[@mkaphengstworkout]

"Blues Brothers, best movie ever" Yep Kenny, I knew I liked something about you. Keep the videos coming, very enjoying.

[@garya9875]

Video was great Kenny always learn something from them.

[@scottcampbell4678]

Instead of titanium, use a cobalt drill bit. It will cut faster and last longer.

[@logancarter2134]

I'm glad to see that I'm not alone in thinking that drill bits are sacrificial tools. Sometimes you have to use up the capability of one tool to get the job done.

[@WrenchingWithKenny]

That's the truth! Mrs Wrenching works at Lowe's Home Improvement 😂

[@ytwhite5930]

Kenny...This has always worked for me; Go to an open parking lot,take all the other lug nuts off the wheel with the problem,drive the car with the steering wheel locked in a couple circles then do it again the opposite direction(have someone watching the wheel in question very closely) usually gets it loose. Good luck!

[@btwbrand]

Wouldn't work in this situation because the Stud was loose. Otherwise this would be applicable.

[@nastynaz6033]

"You could have completed the task within minutes if you had a socket extractor."

[@Scott-sx1bf]

Dealt with this a few years ago and had to improvise a different approach. Rear wheel (drum brake) on a Honda Fit. I removed the wheel bearing/hub dust cap and removed the hub nut. Released the parking brake and slid the drum and wheel along with hub off the stub axle. Used an angle grinder to cut the head off of the lug stud. I replaced the hub since it was due but could’ve installed a new lug stud otherwise.

[@richardsalinas2033]

Really enjoy your videoes lots of information.

[@elrobo3568]

Put the turning lug on the top and let the vehicle down enough to put pressure on the stud. I have done this a number of times and it works, drilling a hole in the top of the stud so you can spray penetrate on top of the stud

[@jeffhutchins7048]

I use an oversize nut, or nuts stacked, to pull studs into position. I lube up everything, EXCEPT THE SPLINES, so that it can all slip and rotate while turning.

[@WrenchingWithKenny]

Interesting, I will have to try that

[@jensenwilliam5434]

Thank s!!!

[@thomaswaddell3096]

Spend around 350.00 on a set of cobalt mac tools drill bits. Cuts like butter and warranty any broken. Love the videos Kenny!!

[@gregdinardo6648]

I have used a hole saw around the stud very carefully nut is softer metal run saw down stud wiggle wheel. Seat will pop off

[@unclemikeslocksmith5530]

See I was going to suggest putting in a pilot hole but others have beat me to it. Great video! I couldn't think of a more annoying issue to pop up when rotating tires. I'll bet before you grabbed the camera there were some words used that couldn't be on here 😅 Nice job!! I bought a box of 1/8" cobalt bits and always run pilot holes. When you think you're deep enough take either that worn bit or a 1/2" rod and put it in the hole and break that nut off. A little extra leverage would make it a bit easier. Hopefully I never see anything like this but at least I'll know what to do. Thank you!!

[@joelmollenkopf3767]

Excellent

[@jdmeaux]

I've had to drill few out like you did. I usually use axle grease as a lubricant instead. Drill for a couple of minutes then dip the tip in the grease. And I'm ready to continue.

[@dbspecials1200]

These jobs depend on the customer, because 2 out of 5 will try to blame you for the stud breaking free. if you worked in a major metropolitan area, aka a big city, you'd know what I mean. people try everything. but whomever it is, always prepare them for the worst case scenario. what if it was a "tuner" with $2500 rims? you can't spit on them.. one human mistake and you have the battle of your life on your hands. but you do get stuck, because you started working on it and the stud ran around on you. you have to be the man and see it through. being a mechanic also gives you vast experience in psychology. it's an unanticipated bonus I guess. nice save Kenny Wrench. 🏁

[@tonylander3512]

In another time many years ago I was a apprentice boilermaker and it was my job to sharpen all the dull drill bits by the bucket full on a bench grinder , 40 years later my welding skills are gone but I can still sharpen drill bits easy 😂

[@gregiles908]

I just learned a lot! I was a bit miffed as to why you didn't keep drilling until the wheel lost its tension? I can think of a simple to make tool. Flat bar of suitable thickness in a rectangular shape with a part circle centrally drilled on one of the smaller sides. Cut to length. Circular slot locates around the end of the Stud and provides the best thickness to use the lug tension trick. Awesome video.

[@johnguilfoyle3073]

I'm a great believer in the drilling-out technique. On smaller screws, it's much easier to drill using an absurdly large bit to just lop off the entire head from the bolt or screw.

[@shemp308]

Ok! That sounds like a plan. Had a similar experience and used the weight of the vehicle on a jack.

[@Rod-db8tt]

Great tip ... I hope I never run into that. Once you had the wheel loaded up on bad stud I would of tried Impact gun one more time.

[@AndrewVerran]

Me too, 50/50 but worth 10 seconds of trying.

[@sumankrsubba6279]

Many thanks for the very useful video. Am also facing the same problem in my Nissan X trail T31.Shall try out your technique to take out the lug nut with the bolt.

[@arthurjohnson5773]

I keep a couple pieces of brown stock in my toolboxes so you can stick it at home and fry back-and-forth and most time break it off and I also use them for long punches are dry bar is if I need to, but they come in very handy

[@JimDaniel-hu9ip]

Lug Ripper is another option, Great Tool.

[@wonjat5]

Don’t worry about the nitpickers, doubtful that they do it for a living. Every mechanic does it a bit differently, but as a now long retired mechanic, I enjoy your practical approach, but often say as I’m watching, ‘no I wouldn’t do it that way’. Cheers 🇦🇺

[@pfusiontechnologies9715]

What I typically use after removing the aluminum cap from the acorn lugs is utilize a locked lug nut remover and a breaker bar.. Then remove the nut with an impact gun. The longer part is just removing the cap that keeps spinning. Drilling the stud is a last resort if the actual lug nut underneath the cap is damaged.

[@fieldsofomagh]

A pilot hole would ease the journey, from past experience. A cobalt bit is a bit tougher.

[@stansbruv3169]

We love ya’ Ken Dawg!

[@greggc8088]

A lot of the times putting pressure on it like you did there are using a long prybar behind the wheel while someone tries loosening it with an impact wrench will take the nut off. But sometime it doesn't. That's when I break out the carbide cutter in my cut off tool, if it fits.

[@chriscox5568]

I've got the same problem with a 2015 kia sorento. I worked on trying to drill through the lug and and stud. I put a standard length 3/4" drive 13/16" socket on the lug nut and clamped some curved jaws vice-grips on the socket to keep the lug nut from spinning. I got a cup of water to dip my bit in to help keep it cool and put oil on it every time before I'd start to drill. Drill for 10 seconds then cool and oil my bit. I started drilling with a 1/8" bit and only stepped up 1/16" every hole till I got the 1/2" hole drilled. The stud was extremely hard to drill through.

[@UberArchangel]

So if you can wedge it tight enough you can get sometimes get the lugnut to spin slightly more than the stud and walk it off with only minor scraping of the mating surface of lugnut to wheel. This works the same at putting a prybar or screwdriver under a fastener when you have a spinning nutsert. Otherwise if you are a good a double cut carbide and cut down between the stud and nut and crack the nut off with a chisel. While have a rag around the nut and against the wheel between the chisel and wheel. The reason you go between the two is so you don't skip off.

[@mussaramadan]

The best solution ❤❤❤

[@WrenchingWithKenny]

& now you know, so it wont take 3 hours or days 😊 Thanks for watching & keep wrenching 🔧

[@timeinbu7909]

I worked aviation and we used drill bushings and pilot holes, stepping up holes until done

[@dave1w41]

I recently dealt with something in the same vein. I had a locking lug nut (mc gard) shatter right down to the seat when attempting removal. The only way to deal with it was to get an 8mm carbide bit and drill the stud out.

[@Tsuter1978]

Must be nice to work in an area without salt. Up here in MI that hub would’ve needed to be replaced as it would have come out in pieces. Nicely done Sir.

[@chantelemartinez5187]

Literally lol gotta love Michigan

[@Ratdaddy78]

Just in the spirit of relating a couple of personal experiences. I've run Subaru cars for a long time, every now and then the tire shops fix me up with a seized lug nut. My advice to anyone working on wheel hubs for any reason is NO HAMMERING. I believe Subaru's service manual says that too. What happens is you will get the fix on the lug nut, but you'll have a hub bearing failure a month or two down the line. The customer will absolutely remember you were the last one in there. Sounds like a comeback to me. The hammering dents the bearing races. Even the punch hit to knock down the tab that holds the big locknut on the end of the CV shaft may damage the bearings. I made a clamp tool that makes the locking dent with no pounding. Drill the 1/8" pilot hole right through the tin cap first, follow with the 1/2" bit to expose the end of the stud. Get a good accurately centered start for the rest of the pilot hole and the 1/2". Thank you for all the knowledge you share.

[@steveolive9991]

I am glad that I never came across a situation like this one.

[@spelunkerd]

Excellent video. I've never had the misfortune of encountering this. KZbin let me learn a little about how to get myself out of the deep end if I ever do.

[@WrenchingWithKenny]

Thank you !

[@chuckgladfelter]

When I lived up North I would grease or anti seize the lugs. I know some people say not to do this but never had an issue with one coming loose.

[@roberthance2412]

Sharp air hammer bit & split the nut , done it more than once with little to no damage to the rim

[@DavidWeinberg-cm9xd]

Like Kenny mentioned, the art of using drill bits is, the larger the bit is, the slower the RPM needed? The smaller the bit, the faster the RPM, and the use of cutting oil is recommended? Great job, as usual, Kenny.

[@dbspecials1200]

Drilling steel takes practice & skill. the bit size doesn't matter, you have to control your speed so that the bit can cut the steel. you can adjust until you see the nice large shards, and not powdered metal. the bit has to be allowed to cut the steel, going too fast just burns it up. this is why a 1-speed air drill sucks. and, use a corded electric drill or you'll be wiping through batteries quick.

[@eddiereichel9354]

Sometimes you can get the cuttring torch in the back and cut the backside of the stud off.

[@eddiereichel9354]

Of course soon as I hit send you say " I usually weld em no access to backside."

[@craigconway4093]

Awesome :)

[@LesReeves]

I would have put some valve grinding paste on the drill bit & also used graduating bit sizes & then tried to split the nut with an air chisel.

[@haneyoakie14]

Breaking a stud off is easy, unless you WANT to break it off.

[@meljane8339]

That is a very good question. ... I have about 100 situations I would like to ask Kenny, Eric the car guy, and Kyle hates hiking the same question

[@SantaClaw]

Die grinder and carbide tip, just grind the thing off. - Oh..... Nut? Just use an air chizzle and split the nut.

[@larrycook4263]

If you have torch you can also put anti-seize on the rim around the hole it will keep you from damaging the rim and torch it out have used this method several times

[@howardiko7156]

I tried this once. I welded to the lug nut on a Ford when they rust locked the chrome covers.

[@michaelszczys8316]

Last one like this I encountered it was still moving on the thread so I drilled the end to put oil in it. After playing with it and almost getting it off it seized and broke off. Luckily it never broke the spline loose.