Petrified lug nuts!
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 115
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From: Near Providence, RI
Petrified lug nuts!
Okay, it took a little work and effort but I got the passenger front nuts off and already got a new tire on there, BUT I cannot get the driver's side nuts off!!! I spent an hour+ on it and only got 2 of 8 off! I'm using an impact wrench and these 6 aren't moving, period.
Any tips/tricks to get these off in one piece? I've tried a 3' breaker bar and still nothing, don't want to snap 'em off.
Any tips/tricks to get these off in one piece? I've tried a 3' breaker bar and still nothing, don't want to snap 'em off.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 544
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I'll take my breaker bar, and a piece of 3/4" or 1" emt counduit on the handle to lengthen it, put it on the nut, then stand on the handle. If it doesn't go then, I do a real slow squat and push with my legs that has never failed to break a lug nut loose for me. It's kind of a trick to do it without popping the socket off the nut, but it can be done. I do it with a six inch extension on the socket to clear the tire. The trick is to have the end of the handle as close to being in line with the socket as you can. If you have the handle too far out, then you're putting lateral pressure on instead of just torque. I've had nuts that wouldn't even budge with a 1/2" drive impact come right loose that way. Just keep the truck on the ground while you do it. Once you break them all loose, then jack it up.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2001
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Yes it is. Best tool for our trucks. Stinks like heck and stains any clothes you get it on, but will give that wheel a nutectomy in no time.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 544
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Ever spray some into a styrofoam cup? Its fun. I keep a can in my truck at all times. Beats the heck outta WD-40. Doesn't collect dirt for a hobby like WD does.
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 115
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From: Near Providence, RI
Might try the PB Blaster, never even heard of it but read some articles online and looks like it actually is better than the other stuff out there. I'm going out of town day after tomorrow so if I can find some tomorrow I'll soak 'em good and leave it while I'm gone a few days.
BTW I love my new "tire", can't wait till I can get the other one on! Anyone use treadwright retreads? Looks very beefy, like a military tire or something. Nothing beats the look of an M/T tire replacing an A/T tire. Might have to get some "truck nuts" for it.
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Grab some paraffin wax and try to get it to penetrate the threads. Be liberal with PB...and I've used heat several times on or around tires and never had one blow up...so I think you'll be fine. As a matter of fact, I've even sprayed starting fluid around the bead of the tire...put the tire around a rim, and hit the starting fluid with a torch. Sets the bead, then get some air in the tire and you're good to go.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From: Near Providence, RI
Grab some paraffin wax and try to get it to penetrate the threads. Be liberal with PB...and I've used heat several times on or around tires and never had one blow up...so I think you'll be fine. As a matter of fact, I've even sprayed starting fluid around the bead of the tire...put the tire around a rim, and hit the starting fluid with a torch. Sets the bead, then get some air in the tire and you're good to go.
Got some PB at Wallyworld today, sprayed the crap out of those nuts, we'll see how it works this weekend!
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 115
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From: Near Providence, RI
OMG! I sprayed some of that PB Blaster on the nuts last week, came home a few days later, fired up the impact wrench and they came off in 2 seconds! It only did 2-5 impacts on each nut before they popped right off.
Wow, thanks for the suggestion guys, that stuff is amazing! Got both tires on now and she's looking great!
Wow, thanks for the suggestion guys, that stuff is amazing! Got both tires on now and she's looking great!
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,427
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From: Huntington WV
Tried PB blaster & WD40 no go got a big torque wrench an a extension an a socket an did it that way. An if it still did not work a big hammer hitting on the end of the torque wrench. I got mine off in about the same over 1 hour per wheel an I changed the 2 front out.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: Halifx Pa
I know I am behind the eight ball here, but I found transmission fluid and acetone in a 50/50 mix works better than anything I ever got off of the shelf. It does not matter the type of tranny fluid. I put it in a lever action oiler, the only problem I found with that, is it squirts out, and does not spray and in some instances, getting up stream when your on your back under your truck can be problem. I have a new spray bottle I am going to try and see if that works better for me. Give it a try it has worked wonders for me. I do keep a can of PB blaster around for those hard to reach spots because of its spray.
