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Lug nut stuck

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by The Mighty Mutt, Aug 17, 2024 at 4:40 PM.

  1. The Mighty Mutt

    The Mighty Mutt Junior Member

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    One of the times my parents took their 2014 Prius to have winter tires put on, the tech that was working on it cross-threaded one of the lug nuts. Forgetting about this when my dad was putting wheel back on, the lug nut tightened down about halfway, but now it won't back out. We tried using intense heat and of course some penetrating oil, all in combination with a breaker bar. We have some high-torque impact drivers, but we're kind of afraid that it might start spinning the lug. One way or another, that lag needs to be changed out. So would it be worth the risk to break out the assault ratchet? Or should we try cutting/drilling the lug nut out? I understand drilling it would require a fancy cobalt bit though. Since the wheel is on it, an angle grinder won't work. Maybe chiseling?
     
    #1 The Mighty Mutt, Aug 17, 2024 at 4:40 PM
  2. ForestBeekeeper

    ForestBeekeeper Active Member

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    Chiseling will only serve to beat up a chisel [and likely tear up your knuckles]

    I agree that you need to replace the lug bolt.

    Do you have a sawzall?
    Or a cutting torch?
     
    #2 ForestBeekeeper, Aug 17, 2024 at 4:46 PM
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  3. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    I think I might go ahead and break out the impact driver. I'd think about it this way:

    • Maybe it succeeds and gets the nut off the stud. Then I can take the wheel off, and press the stud straight out in civilized fashion, and press in a new stud. Studs are cheap.
    • Maybe it ends up spinning the stud in the hub. Then I'm going to want to replace the hub. Hubs aren't as cheap as studs, but they're not astronomical, and it's money I only have to pay in the unlikely event this happens, and it'll be a good story I can tell.
     
    #3 ChapmanF, Aug 17, 2024 at 5:00 PM
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  4. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    If you're beating on it you're going to push the wheel stud right out of the hub ring so if you can't get something a little bit behind it like a pry bar because it's not down all the way or you can beat on a socket that takes off lug nuts you don't have the keys to or the special socket for so it's digging into the metal and trying to rip it right out
     
    #4 Tombukt2, Aug 17, 2024 at 8:31 PM
  5. The Mighty Mutt

    The Mighty Mutt Junior Member

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    We finally got the damned thing out! Gonna have to replace the hub, but like you said, it's not horribly expensive. Thank you for the help!
     
    #5 The Mighty Mutt, Aug 17, 2024 at 8:32 PM
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  6. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    What happened You can't just replace the wheel stud and pull it in I thought you could on me
     
    #6 Tombukt2, Aug 17, 2024 at 8:35 PM
  7. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    If the hole the stud presses into got enlarged and isn't a press fit anymore....

    Or if the hub just got banged on enough to make brinelling the bearing likely....
     
    #7 ChapmanF, Aug 17, 2024 at 8:49 PM
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