81corolla

Here's the second part of my story.

As I was driving on my new rotors, I noticed the wheels started to shimmy a bit. I wasn't sure what it was and kept driving. At some point I stopped and checked the lug nuts. Sure enough they were loose. Silly me, it had been a long day.

The mechanic gods decided I needed punishment. So as I tightened the lug nuts, I proceeded to shatter the lock nut and on the same wheel, I also broke a lug bolt. I could do nothing but laugh. At least I knew the wheel was on tight to get me home.

I went to the auto parts store and got a new lug bolt, a lug nut, and some anti-seize compound. I also went to the hardware store and got a 12mm x 1.5 pitch nut. That's what the lug nuts/bolts are.

As for the bolt that broke off, I simply put it in a vice and was able to loosen the lug nut. As for the broken lock nut, I had to go to a local shop and they had the air tools to get it off.

Here's a couple of shots of the broken lug nut and bolt.

81corolla

The broken bolt right next door to the shattered lock nut. Oh joy...

81corolla

After taking the caliper off, the rotor came off easily enough. This
is the shot a little out of focus.

81corolla

Next I pounded the bolt flush to the hub using a hammer. Then using a punch, poked out the busted bolt.

81corolla

But alas, nothing is easy. To insert the new bolt, I had to turn the wheel so the new bolt position was at 9 o'clock. It just happened to be at 12 o'clock and the metal shield prevents the bolt from being inserted from the back side at that angle.

To turn the wheel I had to get it out of park. But wait, the caliper is off and I need to press the brakes to move the shift lever to netural.

So, very, very gently, I slowly depressed the brake pedal ever so slightly until I was able to move the shifter into neutral. Fortunately, the piston didn't expand. I probably should have put a 2x4 in between the pads just in case... thoughts?

81corolla

Then I was able to insert the new lug bolt. Using a spare washer and a 12mm x 1.5 pitch nut I picked up at the hardware store, I was able to tighten the nut and pull the bolt through the hub. But that was tough. Having an impact wrench or a breaker bar sure would have made that job much easier. I just had a 10" open end wrench - not the best, I know.

BTW, the tire wrench for the rx300 fits, but there's so much torque applied on the nut to pull it through, that it slipped and started to strip. I really needed a 21mm deep socket. In fact, I'm not sure that would work as it has to go over the whole bolt which is pretty long.

When I was done turning the nut and it appeared flush to the hub on the inside, I hammered the end of the wrench to make sure it was fully flush.

81corolla

To my amazement, I put my rotor on and the lug bolt lined up just fine.

In summary, this may be of help to someone else. Replacing a broken lug bolt isn't too bad. Make sure you'll have the right tools - 21mm socket or wrench, buy a spare nut to use to pull the bolt through (do NOT use a lug nut) and put the car in netural before removing caliper so you can rotate the wheel (naturally securing vehicle first.)

UNOHOO

iTrader: (3)

Hey, gotta question, i need to replace my front rotors very soon, i saw that you removed your rotors to get to the bolt to put a new one in, and you said it just came off once the caliper was off . Just wondering if there was more to it than that or if it really is THAT easy lol. THanks in advance man

carguy07

If the rotor is not rusted to the hub too bad it will practically fall off. If it's rusted a little, a pop or two with a sledge hammer will get it loose. If it's really rusted on bad you can run screws down the holes in the rotor to force it off. Some heat from a torch will help too or even a big puller will work. Mine are normally 2-3 hits with the hammer and they come off.