Passing this along in case others run into this issue.
I sheared off a lug stud the other day. The lug nut got stuck, and I used a breaker bar and twisted the whole thing off. I got the lug stud replaced, but it was an unwelcome hurdle.
Why do these lugs get stuck like this? Is it low quality lug studs or the lug nuts? Do the lugs get stuck when they have not been removed in a long time?
I am also wondering what happens if you get a stuck lug nut on an ARP hardened stud that does not easily shear off with a breaker bar. Now what would you do to get your wheel off?
A few days later, I was removing the wheels again, and I felt a different lug start to get stuck. Really?? I was able to slowly get it off with breaker bar, but it was getting stuck for sure. I did not want to put it back onto the damaged stud, in fear of it getting stuck for real.
Then I remembered that I had a thread restorer kit.
A
thread restoring kit is a nice $30 addition to your tool kit..
This looks to be a
$14 alternative. A no-brainer.
I checked and it did have M12 x 1.25. Great! I got some cutting oil, lubed the lug stud, and hand turned the thread cleaner with a 19mm socket. Went back and forth patiently, so I didn't mess up the thread, or get the nut stuck onto the lug stud. The lug nut now spun on smoothly. Another broken stud averted. I put anti-seize on all my lug studs and called it a day.
