Spinning wheel lug
Thread Starter
Pit Crew
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 210
Likes: 25
From: MD
Spinning wheel lug
I was removing one of my wheels when one lug began spinning. I've spent hours trying to drill it out, but I have to buy a new drill because the one I used broke. I am able to get a small Vise-Grip on the inside cap of the lug, but with any pressure it pops off. Would a butane or MAPP torch work? The wheel is scratched, of course, and I'm planning on a new hub, but I'd like to avoid further damage. Any ideas about how to get this sucker off? Thanks!
Thread Starter
Pit Crew
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 210
Likes: 25
From: MD
The problem was/is the lug, not the lug nut. The lug itself has moved out of the splined hole in the hub that holds it in place. I can still get a socket on the nut, but I can’t find a way to hold the back of the lug tight while I turn the nut, so the whole thing spins. Even a small Vise-Grip, which is all I can slip between the wheel and the hub, tightened as much as possible, still can’t hold it. I’ve drilled the center, but they hasn’t yet worked.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 24
Likes: 16
From: TX
I had the same issue the other week but it was on a spacer. You’re really just going to have to keep spinning the lug nut with an impact gun to shave down the the threads and pull the wheel off with brute force. Its a really slow and painful process.
Thread Starter
Pit Crew
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 210
Likes: 25
From: MD
Finally, after 3 hours with an air chisel, I was able to muscle the wheel off. The stub is still on the hub (cool alliteration). I anticipated needing a new hub anyway, ordered it a few days ago. I may also need a replacement wheel, although mine can possibly be repaired. I also replaced all the lugs on each wheel to start the clock again. What a pain.
Last edited by shrinkwrap; May 18, 2020 at 05:41 AM.
Racer
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,734
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From: Philadelphia
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