i was driving today, and all of a sudden i heard a flapping, that sounded like a flat tire. Turned it it wasn't. 3 of the 5 lugs had snapped off, and only one was holding the wheel. Who knows where the other one went. What could have caused this, and do i have to remove the axle to install new studs? Thanks guys

 

Charles, I have never replaced the bolts on my car, but since they are attached to the axle, it is possible you will have to pull the axle to get them out, and new ones back in.
I am just wondering how in the world they got broken off, unless you damaged them in your wreck.

 

It is all that torque

 

Has someone been installing tires and twisting down the lug nuts with an impact gun???? Either that or the lugs were too loose allowing the tire to wobble. I don't think this is the case since you had one survivor.

You need to remove the axle, but it's not hard. This page has a write up and some pics of axle removal
http://www.stephanies-mustang.com/rear_end.htm (written by the previous owner of my car)
- remove wheel
- use star adjuster to loosen brake
- remove brake drum
- rotate hole in axle to line up with axle retaining nut and remove nut
- repeat above for all four nuts
- put the drum on the axle backward and loosely reinstall lug nuts, adjust so they are even, use the drum as a "slide hammer" to pop the axle loose. If this doesn't work go to an auto parts store with a loaner program and borrow a real axle puller slide hammer
- once the axle is loose carefully pull it out, trying not do drag it across the seal, protect the brakes so you do not get axle oil on the shoes.
- take the axle to a machine shop to R&R the lug bolts. If you are not familure with what a good axle bearing looks like, ask the shop if it should be replaced.
- if there is any axle oil on your backing plate this would be a good time to replace the seal. Carefully pry it out, take it to a parts store and compare the one they give (sell) to the original. Last time I got one the parts store provided one that was "slightly" larger, only a small difference, but it would not fit. The replacement seal may be a different thickness than the original, but the diameter must be exact. There are tools for seating the new seals, but I used a 2" PVC pipe connector, worked perfectly.
Reverse above steps to reinstall.

 

Damn, I didn't want to pull off the axle. Well, That article didn't explain how to remove the lugs. I beat on them, and i notice they have a lip that doesn't allow it to be pushed out either. WHat to dO?

 

from previous post

 

Yeah, they have to be pressed out, and new ones pressed in. Take the axle to a shop.

 

This would be a good time to find a versialle 9 inch rear.

 

Now, there's a good idea. You can kill two birds with one stone.

 

You don't have to remove the axles. Punch the old studs through with a big punch and a BFH. Slip the new lugs in the back of the axle flange and take some old lug nuts and use them to pull the stud into the hole. Put them on backwards so the bevel is facing away from the axle. You may need a washer on the drum side to make sure the stud pulls all the way up to the axle flange. You really need a 1/2 inch impact to do this properly. Without that you might as well pull the axle. Done it many times, it works great.