A Stripped Wheel Stud is Easily Replaced
Wheel studs are the threaded bolts that locate the wheel on the end of each axle. When the lug nuts, (sometimes called wheel nuts,) are tightened down over the wheel, they hold it in place, so obviously wheel studs are safety-critical items. Most vehicles today have five studs per wheel, although larger trucks may have more.
When changing a wheel it’s important to ensure that each lug nut is carefully threaded onto the stud, as cross threading will strip the thread. It’s also important not to overtighten the nut as that too can strip the thread. However, occasionally the thread on a wheel stud will be stripped, and when that happens it should be replaced as soon as possible.
Start by raising the vehicle and removing the wheel. On cars with disc brakes the caliper and rotor will also have to be taken off. The caliper is usually secured with two bolts on the in-board side. There is no need to disconnect the brake line when lifting the caliper off the rotor; just use wire or string to tie it up out of the way. The rotor will then just pull off the hub, though should it need some encouragement, tapping with a rubber hammer is usually sufficient. This will leave the hub exposed with the studs protruding.
Wheel studsare usually just pressed in to the hub, so they can be knocked out with a few sharp blows from a heavy hammer. Before swinging the weight though, check that there’s space behind the hub for the stud to come out. Most cars have some kind of cutout to provide room. If there’s not enough space the hub will have to be taken off. Usually this is just a case of removing the bearing assembly and some locating bolts.
Install the new stud by inserting it through the hole in the hub from the rear. There won’t be room to swing a hammer to push it in to place, so the technique is to pull it through. Place some washers or a large nut over the stud and up against the hub. Apply a drop of oil for lubrication then screw a lug nut down the stud. Tightening the nut, (preferably with an impact wrench,) will draw the stud through the hole in the hub. Once it’s fully seated the lug nut and washer can be removed and the rotor and caliper replaced.
On drum brakes the procedure is slightly different. The drum has to be removed, which often means backing off the brake shoes. This will reveal a hub similar to that seen with disc brakes. Align the stud to be removed with the hole in the backplate and knock it out as before. The new stud is inserted through this hole and into the hub, before being pulled in to place as with the disc brakes.
Wheel studs hold the wheels in place, so it’s important that they are all in good condition. Should a thread be stripped, for someone with a little mechanical knowledge it’s a simple job to replace the stud.
