Originally Posted by
howdy71475
The correct way to put a lug stud in is to use a press.
Hitting with a hammer can damage the head, causing it not to seat tightly (the hammer is harder than the stud). If you do not have a press then use a brass punch to install it. Never use an air wrench to "pull" a stud into place as it will stretch the threads and shorten the life of the new new stud or in worse case cause the wheel to come loose, or off. If you are installing new studs use new nuts too, it's worth it in the long run.
I've said this before...and got into the usual arguments with some peeps here, but I'll say it again.
Studs should be
pressed out, new studs should be
pressed in. Since most peeps don't have a press, autoparts stores w/a machine shop can do this and usually have new lug bolts.
On the end of the lug bolts are serrations, these retain the lug bolts into the hub and drum. Beating them in with a hammer can play havoc with the serrations, won't do the hub/drum any good either.
If the bolts get catty-wampus in the hub/drum while your beatin' away on them, the bolts won't go in correctly, causing the holes to become elongated.
If the lug bolts aren't seated properly, it's possible the drum will "walk away" from the hub. The wheel will come off, tear the hell oughtta the fender...now you aren't going anywhere!