I ran over the curb last nite avoiding a car-snow covered iced asphalt.

I was trying to then avoid a house, so I went for the wheelchair scoop at the corner. I missed, and since the wheels weren't moving because of the brakes. The bead popped when it hit.

Well, I had a full load and no spare or jack (just bought the van), so I drove it home, 2 blocks. Tire is punctured.

So I tried changing the tire tonite, but the wheel won't come off! I got 4 lugs off, but the 5th one just spins! Could I have broken one when I collided? If so, what can I do to get it off- I am so-so with tools and have NO money. And I am about 4 miles from a tire station, planned on putting used one on.

The lug just spins on the stud-so what can I do? I just had the spindles and crap replaced, so if I can do it myself I will. What is the fastest, easiest way to get it off-if I keep turning will it eventually come out? Never had to do studs before.

I would really appreciate some help-thanks!

-Nashman

 

Hmmm ... sounds like you've got quite a mess on your hands. I guess it is one of your front wheels, but if you just had the spindles and other stuff replaced a person wouldn't think they'd have trouble getting the lug nuts off. Makes you wonder if the shop didn't mess them up to begin with ... something like cross-threading the nut and then beating it on with an impact.

I am assuming the threads are stripped out - I suppose you might get lucky and be able to eventually remove it if you keep cranking on it. I wouldn't bet on it though. An impact would be your best shot if you could pull or pry back on the wheel, spinning the nut at the same time. More than likely when you do get the wheel off you'll need to replace the stud and that won't be an easy task. I've never done one on the front, they're probably more difficult than the rear ones. Those are a press fit and you have to force them out with an air chisel or the like.

If I were you I'd get an impact wrench and spin that lug nut until everything was completely stripped out. Then I'd take a grinder and cut the lug off flush with the nut. You're going to have to replace both anyway. Hopefully you'll be able to work it off with vise grips or something.

Hopefully somebody has a better suggestion.

 

Yeah, it was a front wheel-passenger side.

I have never done a stud, so I really don't know how they even go in.

Man, this is coming at the wrong time. I can't afford to do it except by myself.

Man, I hope I am wrong.

 

Uh... well, I have to ask... did you take the lugs off one at a time? You're supposed to loosen and remove them in a "star" pattern because with nothing holding one side down, the tire will be sort of crooked and the last lugs won't come off. I don't understand how the last one "spins"... You could have stripped it I guess... This does sound like a real mess... but I doubt you broke a lug nut or stud... I can think of a lot of things that would probably break first.

 

how do you strip a threaded nut or bolt to the point that it just spins in place?

 

If the nut is not stripped on the stud, then the stud could have gotten knocked into the hub far enough that the knurled part is not holding, and letting it spin. This could happen if the stud was never pulled through enough at installation, or if the nut was partially off and the stud was knocked inward.

Grab the top of the tire where the lug that won't come off is. Pull toward you as hard as possible,(make sure van is well secured, and will not fall off jacks), as you are pulling, you, or someone else, trys to remove the lug nut. If the nut is not very tight on the stud, cross threaded, or the knurled part is not stripped, then you may be able to get it off this way.

If that don't work, all I know is to cut it off with a torch, and replace the stud.

 

I tried them, but I did it by myself. Gotta see if I can get a hand from someone.

Didn't work.
But there is still hope yet.

Any other ideas?

-Nashman

 

Well, from what I understand, the nut is spinning and the stud is staying stationary? Can you get a screwdriver under the face of the nut to pry up on it while you turn it? That'll give it some pressure on the threads and maybe help you get it to spin off.

The studs arnt that bad to replace. You have to remove the rotor, and with a hammer, punch the studs out (just wack em'). Then, the new studs need to be aligned (they have little splines that need to line up) when putting it back on, and then w/ a punch and hammer, wack it back into place. You'll want to torque the lugs down, drive it, re-torque them...and then check them again after 100mi or so.

 

If the first suggestion did not work, and you don't have access to a torch, then do this. It can be done.

Put all lugs back onto the wheel. Your tire should be unbeaded from the rim, if not try to cut the bead with a hacksaw or something. Remove the old tire. Get a used tire and remount onto the rim. Lube up the bead with wheel lube, or if you can't get that, use a mixture of dishwashing soap and a little water, you should be able to get the rear side of the tire on by hand.

When doing the outer side of the tire, push as much of the tire on as possible. Clamp a visegrip onto the rim lip so the tire won't slip around and come back off. Get two large screwdrivers and work the bead in. Make sure the section of the tire you have gotten over the rim lip is pushed back far enough that it is in the "trough", or low part of the rim. If you don't do this the tire will never stretch enough to get the rest of it over the rim lip.

Borrow an air tank or compressor and pump it up, go to a garage and have the stud cut off and replaced, then get yout tire balanced.

I have changed tractor-trailer tires this way before, so it will work. You may need someone to hold the brakes so the wheel won't turn while you work.

 

Just a thought, and somebody can and will correct me if I am wrong, but couldn't you disconnect the brake caliper and take the whole wheel assembly off, tire and all (depends on your rims and the year of truck). Then you can take it to a shop or at least see what is causing the problem.

 

It sounds like he's going to need some air tools to get it off. Taking the whole wheel off and throwing it in the back of a buddy's truck is probably easier and cheaper than having it towed someplace. It shouldn't be hard at all to take the whole thing off. Of course, he hasn't told us what year or model the van is.

 

Isn't the brake caliper connected to the spindle? You would have to remove the caliper. How would you be able to slide the caliber off with the wheel surrounding it?

It looks to me like it is either tow it, mount a tire to the wheel on the van, have someone come out and cut off the lug with a torch, or borrow a good side grinder and cut it off himself.

 

You might be right, but what I was wondering was un-bolting the caliper or taking out the pins (whichever it has) and then disconnecting the brake line and leaving it attached to the wheel assembly (rotor) when he pulled it off. I just can't picture it in my head right now to determine if you could do it.

 

It's a 1992 Econoline E-150, 2 wheel drive, 4.9L.

Guess I'll have to try the new tire thing, I had tried it once before-way back in high school and I couldn't do it. Of course I think I was drunk so maybe with a clear head it will be easier.

I WAS thinking about just driving it to station on the rim, I hate not having a car. Plus I got hurt at work-which is why I am broke-so I have to do what ever I do at night.

If ya'll think of anything else lemme know.

-Nashman