Hey guys, I was just wondering what you think about pounding out 42 year old wheel studs. I want to install longer wheel studs in the rear of my car because the lugs don't screw on as much as I would like with the wheel setup I have right now. The rear brakes are drums still, and I am not sure if the studs can even be hit out with a mallet or if they need to be pressed out. AND do I need specific studs or will any longer 1/2-20 studs work? Thanks in advance

 

They can be pounded out..I like to thread a nut on so the end is just flush with the stud..That will give you a little bigger target to hit and protect the end of the stud..Give it a few good whacks with a hammer and it should loosen and come out....You do need to get the proper sized knurled end on the new studs to be sure they fit into your axle tightly..

 

Ok thats relieving. Can you show me an example of the proper type of studs?

 

you can look them up at autozone etc...

 

You may want to soak the studs with some PB Blaster since there should be a fair amount of rust holding them on as well.

 

Yea I was planning on hitting them with some penetrating grease. I believe I just need standard 1/2-20 wheel studs as long as they're long enough. Sound right??

 

Take the old stud to the store and match up the splines or there is a good chance you will get the wrong ones.

 

Anyone ever have to remove a crossed lug nut?

We had to remove one yesterday, 4 nuts came off fine, but the 5th was crossed, after coming out about 1/4", the splined end let loose from the axle flange and spun freely.

Bummer, after trying to get the spline to bite again without success, my friend Alex came up with an idea. He had a helper hold a Sawsall blade against the stud between the wheel and the brake drum while spinning the stud/lug nut with an impact, it cut the stud in a matter of seconds.... no damage to the wheel or drum, no drilling, hammering, or BS.