Lug nut H#LL

[kknip]

I have a set of sockets that have aggressive left hand teeth in them,made by Irwin tools,snap-on also sells them,though,they would be expensive.I got my set at Northern tool and equipment.Kind of like a female easy out.


I don't think that it has a big enough socket,Snap-on would though.

[71 LONG BED]

The steel of the lug actually galls and locks up with the aluminum. Once you break it free it should just spin off. The taper of the acorn nut is meant to do that by design. But if an impact gum was used they were over tightened and got locked on. I use never sieze on my lug nuts now, also. I'll never have a problem with rust locking up my lug nuts. How did you get the "one more" last night?

[RhinoGT]

This particular one, I got lucky. Just happened to get the drill to bite dead center of the lug. Once I drilled a pilot hole, I managed to find a 1/2 bit with a 3/8 reduction to fit in my 3/8 drill and drilled the stud right down through.

I tried to do the same thing with #2, but of course the bits had dulled, and I wast so lucky with my centering.

You have to understand, I am also working in my driveway with my kids and wife trying to talk to me... I am lucky I didnt drill a hole through my hand!

[FLATBEDFORD]

Buy a couple new bits. Don't waste your time with a dull drill. Yes, that means you will have to spend some money on drill bits, Sorry.

[Jake11]

Wanna know the 2 min. it's done way? I used to do this as a money
making hobby, as we had a custom wheel guy that was good at cross
threading stuff.

[ToughOldFord]

Napa has a lug nut removal socket, but I'm with you I don't think there's enough clearance to use it.
The Sears ones are cr*p, I tried one on a stuck lug nut just last year and stripped out the tool, the lug nut stayed put. I was disappointed in Craftsman for that one.

[Jake11]

Them "magic" tools never seen one work yet.
I just got two methods. A sharp chisel bit on a air hammer is one.
The other is old fashion "cutting torch". I can cut broken taps out
of engine blocks in the vehical, so lugs are not really a big deal. For
99% I use the air chisel. The customer usually starts crying if he see's
me fire the torch up. I hate tears.

[averagef250]

No kidding. People really don't have a clue how accurate a cutting torch is. I cut bearing races off transmission main/countershafts and blow them out of front retainers all the time. A steady, careful hand and a good torch can make real quick work of many jobs.

I like the air chisel too, but find the torch does a much faster and cleaner job for most things. A welder works great too. Weld a bead inside a bearing race and it will fall out, no puller, no pounding, cake.

[Jake11]

Well, glad someone else is keepin alive the old ways. I like that.

[71 LONG BED]

You have to understand, I am also working in my driveway with my kids and wife trying to talk to me... I am lucky I didnt drill a hole through my hand!

I know exactly how you feel!


Did you get the rest of them off this weekend?

[RhinoGT]

John, yes, I got them off.
I suppose I dont need to tell everyone what happens when you start a project one way, because you think its going to work, then end up wasting all your time and breaking tools because you are too stubborn to stop.

Lets just say that if I ever had to do this again, the FIRST thing I would do is disassemble the front hubs, take the whole hub/drum/wheel assembly off and work from the back. Once I got my grinder to the back of the stud, it was off in minutes.

I was very ticked off at my own stubborness on this project...

Thanks for all your suggestions. I appreciate the input.

Oh, and we all went for a ride for the first time ever in my 65! The boys were thrilled they got to ride around with no car seats!

[FLATBEDFORD]

Oh, and we all went for a ride for the first time ever in my 65! The boys were thrilled they got to ride around with no car seats!

Don't tell anybody!