how to remove broken locking lug????
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 181
Likes: 0
From: Annville PA USA
how to remove broken locking lug????
somehow i developed a crack in one of my locking lugs. it was only held on by a fraction of its total piece. the entire breaking point was rusted, so it must have been that way for some time. when i tried to take the wheels off to polish them this weekend before a show at my ford dealer, the darn thing snapped right off about 1/2 way down the lug stud using just a regular 1/2" ratchet (no cheater pipe or anything of the sort) 
i dont ever use an impact on them, and i have asked my mechanic not to either, so this is confusing as to how it actually happened.
my dilema now is, how to remove the rest of it. it is totally smooth (round) and there might be 1/4" of stud sticking out from where it broke off. i dont have access to anything other than your standard type tools, is this something to maybe take to a wheel shop to try to remove? ive heard that they can remove the entire locking lug somehow (like if you lost the key or something) but in a case like this, i am somwhat lost.
thanks for any insight
i dont ever use an impact on them, and i have asked my mechanic not to either, so this is confusing as to how it actually happened.
my dilema now is, how to remove the rest of it. it is totally smooth (round) and there might be 1/4" of stud sticking out from where it broke off. i dont have access to anything other than your standard type tools, is this something to maybe take to a wheel shop to try to remove? ive heard that they can remove the entire locking lug somehow (like if you lost the key or something) but in a case like this, i am somwhat lost.
thanks for any insight
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,959
Likes: 9
From: USA
You might have to cut it off with a small cutoff wheel. I had to do that on one of my lugs that the nut had bottomed out on the stud because someone put it on there with no washer (it was a mag-style nut) and refused to come off. Used an air cutoff tool with 3" wheel and replaced the stud and nut with new.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta GA
> somehow i developed a crack in one of my locking lugs
Usually from using an impact tool, even though you have asked people not to ...
Use a dremel wheel, if you search on dremel and my name I posted how to go about it a while ago for someone with a broken stud.
Usually from using an impact tool, even though you have asked people not to ...
Use a dremel wheel, if you search on dremel and my name I posted how to go about it a while ago for someone with a broken stud.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 822
Likes: 0
From: Ilion Herkimer
i just had the same problem last weekend while putting brakes in my wifes jeep. snapped the lug nut in half not leaving enough to get a socket on. i called my mechanic on monday and he told me to drill the stud out, which i did. i started with a small dril bit making sure i was in the center and proceded to drill. i used wd/40 to cool the bits while drilling. just make sure you don't use a drill bit larger than the stud. the last bit i used was a 3/8. i then used a punch to drive the rest of the stud out of the broken nut. took about 30 minutes.the new stud and nut cost 4.00$ at the parts house.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,372
Likes: 14
From: West Cornwall, CT
You might be able to take a deep wall socket that is a bit smaller than the remains of your locking lug and hammer it onto the lug. The socket should grip the smooth lug surface well enough to allow removal with a standard ratchet wrench.
Use a 12 point socket for this job.
Lou Braun
Use a 12 point socket for this job.
Lou Braun
