Stripped lug stud removal

[MrMazda92]

Alright guys, I've got the '93 running like a champ and it's time to get the wheels swapped over from my '92.

My problem? A stripped stud on the rear right wheel. She's a GS, so I'm running rear discs, not drums.

I would normally go straight to drilling, however the lug nuts are capped. I can't see an obvious problem with drilling through the cap, so long as I keep it straight and centered. Can anybody confirm this, or is there something I'm missing? I have done this before, with regular un-capped nuts.

[Nd4SpdSe]

The lug still on the stripped stud?

[MrMazda92]

Yes. That's the issue, I can't get the wheel off without removing the nut or the stud. My idea at this point is to drill just far enough to get the nut off, and then grind the stud until it will push through the wheel smoothly.

[Nd4SpdSe]

Usually one of my tricks is to spin the nut while pushing it forward with some sort of screwdriver or prybar, usually does the trick. Even push the rim forward if you can get behind the lug...

Ya, you're right, the standard lugs are capped. Dry taking off the cap, drilling sideways to weaken the sides with a small bit, try to weaken the sides, the lug is fubared anyway, so it doesn't matter is you mess up the stud. Could cut a slit with a dremel if you can...but try my first suggestion first...

[MrMazda92]

I tried your suggestion ahead of time, and I had the best success with actually removing all the other nuts, then using the wheel itself to pry on it. Still, this only got me so far... I'm just wanting to get it off, I put way too much time into this so far. I'll grind the cap and try to drill through the center first... I feel safer taking the stud apart itself, than the cap. I'd miss and chew the wheels for sure, and they're nice enough that I really don't want that...

Thanks for the replies, I'm glad that my ideas weren't that far off base I don't get how these could be stripped, it's frustrating.

[Inodoro Pereyra]

They get stripped because the idiots at the tire shops use their impact wrenches to tighten them up. It shouldn't be much of a mystery that, if you apply 300+ ft/Lbs to a bolt designed to take 70 ft/Lbs, it's gonna get stripped, but those bozos don't seem to understand it.

Anyways, rant off.

If the cap of the lug nut protrudes from the rim, CAREFULLY, use a grinder on it, so you can get a flat(ish) surface to place your drill bit on. Usually, that will make your job much easier. Then, go to town with the drill. That's normally the fastest way to take care of it, and, if you're careful, also quite safe. Just use plenty of lubrication on the drill bit.

[MrMazda92]

That's the truth and we all know it.

[mikeinaus]

i had the same problem with my old car. if possible pop the center cap of the rim off and take the entire hub off the car, then grind the back of the stud off and pop it out with a punch and hammer.

if your lucky youll have enough clearance to take the caliper off the rotor and not have to bleed your brakes.

[Daninski]

No grinding or drilling, use a dremel and cut the nut down both sides.

[wytbishop]

The only good way I can see to do this if pullin on the wheel didn't work is with a drill. Center punch the lug nut and start small. Keep it straight and go bigger and bigger until it breaks. Should be able to break the stud pretty easily once a significant amount of material has been drilled out.