Broken Lug- Please Help!

[jwfchase]

In my excitement to put on my new tires last night, I cross-threaded one of the lugs (plus the rim was not quite aligned with the lug-- long story). when I gingerly started backing it off, it just started spinning freely without the nut going anywhere. Obviously I've damaged the lug, and now I can't get the tire off!

First of all, does anyone know if a new lug would be available locally (would a Montero lug fit?) at a parts store?
Second, any suggestions how I'm going to get the "spinning but going nowhere" nut off? I'm guessing the answer involves drilling and cutting- though I hope not cutting, since the nut is pretty well recessed within the rim and I don't think I'll be able to get any cutting implements in there!

Thanks for your help,
Jamie

[lrp374]

Is the problem the front or back wheel?

Do you have air tools?

[jessef]

Montero 1988 studs will fit.

Most mitsu studs are the same between vehicles

either cut it off, or try vicegrip pliers if you can fit them on the backside on the stud and gun off the nut.

Is the stud spinning inside the hub ?

The stud has a splined sectioned that presses into the hub to prevent rotating.

If the stud rotated inside the hub and bored it out, then a replacement stud of the same splined diameter will not work. You'd need either a larger stud or a new stud welded on the hub.

Eitherwhich way, the hub needs to come off.

For anyone else threading your lug nuts, if the stud threads are clean, lug nuts should spin on freely literally finger tight.

If you need a gun or wrench to spin on the lug nut, then the threads are on their way out and crossthreading is not far off. A stud tap to 'rejuvinate' the threads on the studs will help.

[jwfchase]

It was one of the back wheels. What happened was that I had threaded all the nuts on by hand to get them started, all went on easily until hand-tight, but I remember thinking "there's not much of the lug thread showing on these new rims... hmmm... weird..." (that's me last night being tired and stupid...) So I started on them with the wrench... Turns out the rim was not fully seated on the hub yet. I quickly realized my mistake and starting backing the nuts off, but two of them were tight to remove. One of them came off, and I had obviously stripped the inside of the nut (didn't think I was cranking on it too hard, but...), while another one was very difficult to turn, and then suddenly got very easy and was freely spinning without going anywhere. I pretty much assumed I had broken something on the lug.

Anyhow, finally got a better look at it after work tonight (last night it was dark, late, and I had to work this morning)-- from what I can see of the lug threads behind the nut, looks like the lug is not turning (which I assumed it was), it is just the nut that I must have stripped out, so hopefully the vice grip pulling on the nut while turning will work. I'll try it on Sunday. (I'm going to bed now and riding my bike to work!) Thanks for the input guys. Hopefully all I'll need is a new lugnut and all will be well...

[Meanman]

if you have a good impact wrench, hit it in reverse (obviously) with multiple hits.....not one prolonged whack at it just short repetitive bursts will do the trick.

[thedjjack]

If you need to get to an impact wrench...Bolt up the other 5 bolts and drive to a shop. 5 lugs will be fine to get you to a shop.

I usually replace all lugs on a side when I do it. They are cheap and do wear with time. If loose enough you maybe able to cut between the back of rim and drum.

Good luck.

[huenink]

Edit: looking for lug bolts not the nuts.

Sorry for bumping this old topic, but I just sheared a lug bolt with 3 lug nuts already off and the remaining 2 don't seem to budge with my impact gun.

Any help on where can I get replacement lug bolts?

[Luna-Sea]

Hey,
12x1.5(thread)x21mm
Most auto parts places should have them.

Right On!

[huenink]

Thanks for that. Any chance anyone on here has a chain wrench I can borrow? I tried using a crappy oil filter wrench and it just slides around on the auto hubs cap.

[Luna-Sea]

Hey,
Take a lug bolt with you when you get new one so there is
no mistakes...
for the chain wrench
http://www.delica.ca/forum/tool-swaps-share-trade-68/
Seperate thread section , we try to keep threads on topic,
Set your location too, then members know how close you
are to their tools.

Good Luck

[huenink]

Awesome, I was using the mobile app which doesn't search as well I find. Thanks for the heads up and I got the bolts from lordco already. Matched to a montero I believe. Thanks for the info!