You may find a stripped or stuck lug nut when you go to take a wheel off of your car. It is critical that you know how to remove the stripped or stuck lug nut – because if you don’t, you are in trouble. In some instances, there are multiple options when you encounter a situation like this, depending on the specific situation.
In this guide, we will discuss some options for removing the stuck lug nut, we will go through some of the reasons why the lug nut stripped, and I will offer some simple advice on preventing problems like this from happening in the first place.
How Do Lug Nuts Get Stripped?
#1. Corrosion and rust.
The lug nuts for your wheel are metal components. When those are exposed to elements and moisture, corrosion and rusting can occur.
Once corrosion accepts themselves into the nut, it will deform into the threads. Once it begins to change shape, taking them off will get more difficult.
#2. Using wrong socket.
In order to remove a lug nut properly, you must have a socket that is the right size. If you don’t, there will be slippage while you’re trying to take it off.
Slipping obviously causes more damage. Even if you get it off this time, you will be making it more difficult the next time.
If you are using a very old and worn or poor-quality socket, it might be worth trying new quality socket instead, which will also prevent issue in the future.
#3. Incorrect torque.
Each lug nut is supposed to be tightened to factory specified torque, which can be found in service manual.
If you tighten the lug nut to an incorrect amount of torque, you can cause it to seize. This is one reason why you don’t want to have questionable tire places.
How to Remove a Stuck or Stripped Lug Nut?
Usually, the best way to remove a stripped lug nut is to use an extractor socket, like an extractor socket with a hammer/hand impact (with a breaker bar).
A blow torch may also help. If neither of these worked, you can try using a handheld grinder with a wrench. And, if you don’t want to buy anything, there’s always screws, hammer, and chisel.
See more details below on how to get it off:
#1. Extractor Socket/Hammer/Breaker Bar.
This is the best sourced method to get the job done probably 99% of the time. Most of the tools required for this you already have in your home garage. You will need a breaker bar, penetrating oil, hammer, and an extractor socket.
It is imperative you make sure the vehicle is parked on a flat surface. You can also use wheel chucks and the emergency brake as added safety.
Spray the lug (rounded) with penetrating oil. If there is any rust to the lug, soak it down generously and use the hammer to break the rust away.
After soaking the lug with penetrating oil, you will want to try first using a long socket. Put it over the stripped lug nut, and hit it a couple of times with a BIG hammer.
This will dislodge the cone tightness, so it will make it a lot easier. However, maybe the lug is just stripped too bad, and won’t even come off with a wrench. You still want to try!!!
(Watch your fingers and rims! I learned that lesson from experience. You don’t want to make the same mistake.)
Then, after you hit the long socket a few times, take off the long socket and put on (make sure it is sized properly) the nut extractor socket. You can bang the nut extractor socket till it is tight and you have a good grip.
Once you have the breaker bar with the nut extractor socket attached, you can apply force to the handle to remove the stripped nut. You will be applying force in a counter-clockwise direction. If it feels too tight, you can add a length of pipe onto the breaker bar, or use a strong impact wrench instead.
#2. Blowtorch.
These methods, if you have a Blow Torch, typically result in faster success. However, not everyone has a blow torch available.
If you do have a blow torch you will also need a wheel spanner or pliers to grapple the lug nut while it is hot. You also don’t want to use any oil with this method, because of the heat you could create a fire.
Take the blow torch and heat the nut. You’ll want to make sure to do this slowly – be careful! Once it is heated up, let it cool down! Repeat this step a few times until it breaks loose. As you heat up the lug nut it slightly expands, which makes the lug nut easier to get off.
This method will ruin the paint on the wheel itself, so that’s why we prefer the other methods.
#3. Grinder/Wrench.
Again, you will want to use some penetrating oil with this method, remember to allow to soak and try to remove some of the rust if you can.
Using your hand-held grinder, cut edges around the nut, enough to be able to grab onto the nut with your wrench. Once you can grab it securely, turn it counterclockwise until it breaks loose.
Some Aluminum wheels make it hard to reach the lug nut with a grinder, so you may want to try some of the other methods first.
#4. Screwdriver/Hammer/Chisel.
If nothing works you always have this option. It wouldn’t be the first option we would try, but if your ran out of other ideas then it never hurts to throw everything you have at it!
With your screwdriver, hammer and chisel grab some penetrating oil to make the process easier. Apply the oil on the nut and let it rest for a bit. You want it to dissolve into the rust and corrosion.
Using your chisel, you can push the screwdriver down into the lug nut (you will make a notch on the surface of the nut). Take your screwdriver and wedge it in the space you created with the chisel.
Now tap the screwdriver with your hammer, making the screwdriver move counterclockwise. Continue doing this until you finally break the lug nut loose.
If you don’t have the tools to do this or have tried everything above it may finally be time to visit a professional mechanic as they do this sort of work all the time!
How to remove lug nut when stud is stripped?
If the lug nut spins without coming off the stud, that’s a stripped stud instead. This can be just as much hassle. You will need a drill bit that matches that stud.
When drilling, drill at low speed but apply heavy pressure on the center of the lug nut. Do this until it is no longer attached to the wheel stud, and you will be good to go.
Just keep in mind that you will need to replace the wheel stud when you drill through it. Be prepared for the time and the expense of replacing it before you get started.
How To Avoid Having Stripped Lug Nuts?
It’s much better to avoid the lug nuts getting stuck in the first place than to try and get them off. By taking the proper steps, you will never have to follow these steps again.
To start, you don’t want to go to a shady tire shop. If the mechanics can’t work with the lug nut, they will strip it out, and you will be left with a problem. Go to a known shop with a good review to be safe.
Once the lug nut is put back on, have a look at the lug nut to make sure you can take it off. If not, take the matter up with the tire shop while it is fresh in both your minds.
If you do the work on your wheels yourself, don’t go crazy torquing down the nut. You can find the specifications in your service manual. If you don’t have the right tools for the job, you need to get them or go in for the professionals.
You should also keep the lug nuts clean and free of corrosion. When dirty water is allowed to sit on wheels, the lug nut will corrode. Wash and dry the wheels frequently so this condition is avoided.
Can WD-40 Help to Remove Stuck Lug Nuts?
There is a saying that WD-40 can go on anything that is not moving that should be. In that respect, WD-40 is a great choice when dealing with stuck or stripped lug nuts.
Like any penetrating oil, you can spray the WD-40 directly onto the threads and let it soak. The longer it sits on, the easier job you will have. This spray will help loosen up the nut for easier removal.
Once you have applied the solution, hit the lug with a hammer. Just a simple tap lets the spray get pushed around which means it can penetrate more making it easier to remove.