frozen lug nuts

Post by **JimBee** » 09 Jul 2010, 08:51

On my '93 850 study car, the left rear lug nuts are so tight I can't break them loose. With the car fully on the ground, my 30" pipe extension on the breaker bar actually turns the wheel, skidding the tire and they still won't come loose. The others had some slight rust on the threads and were tight but broke loose. Any suggestions?

bigwong · Post by **bigwong** » 09 Jul 2010, 09:50

PB Blaster a couple of times, an hour or so between each time, put on the parking brake also while trying to loosen. If that doesn't work find a friend with a high torque air wrench. Be warned, the lug bolt may break.

Post by **j_cd** » 09 Jul 2010, 11:06

Try putting a fence post over the breaker bar and stand on it, after spraying the lugs as suggested.

Post by **jblackburn** » 09 Jul 2010, 11:16

Often short bursts of force (like an air gun) like jumping on the bar can break them loose. I always re-torque all of mine after I have the tires rotated at a shop. One experience trying to get a flat tire off in the pouring rain with stuck lugs was enough to make me do that every time.

Post by **JimBee** » 09 Jul 2010, 11:20

Thanks, guys. Actually, I have a 30" pipe that gives me enough leverage on the breaker bar to spin the tire on firm ground, w/ no jack under the car. Quite amazing that the nuts won't crack. I'm going to get the PB Blaster today and give that a try. I've been using J&B from Carquest, pretty good solvent, but maybe PB will do the job. Hope so!
JimBee

volvomileage · Post by **volvomileage** » 09 Jul 2010, 14:13

some last resort tricks

in extreme conditions heat up the lug nuts with a torch try to remove lug nut as soon as it is red caution !!!! its rextremely hot be careful they will come out, this is last resort ...

or wheel on the floor put your socket on the wheel nut but use a deep socket and give it a good wack with a hammer it will wake up the bolt, this method was given to me by a vw and audi tech apparently their lug nuts tend to marry the wheel also, it always works for me sometimes after the first wack othe times after 2nd or 3rd in worst cases

try loosening your lug nut with either method prior to appliying brute force

best of luck

Post by **shiloh51933** » 09 Jul 2010, 15:06

Heating them up might be your only choice if you don't want to brake anything, I blow torch hub nuts when needed in same manner if needed, a helper would be great for this job.

Post by **jblackburn** » 09 Jul 2010, 16:00

^^^That works on steel wheels ok, but it will turn alloys into looking like crap rather quickly.

Post by **meine39** » 09 Jul 2010, 16:36

Beg, borrow, steal (ok not really), rent, purchase or otherwise acquire an elecrtic impact wrench - it will make short work of it. Better yet, take it to your trusted local mechanic, and ask him to loosen it, which is what I did after breaking a number of tools on one of the 850's lug bolts.

With a fleet of four cars to look after, I broke down and picked up a very nice Kobalt impact wrench at the local Lowes - about $80 IIRC, and included a set of sockets. It's paid for itself in time (and tools) saved and back strain avoided.

Post by **shiloh51933** » 10 Jul 2010, 08:44

shiloh51933 wrote:Heating them up might be your only choice if you don't want to brake anything, I blow torch hub nuts when needed in same manner if needed, a helper would be great for this job.

let me correct myself, I thought he tried an impact already, I have an impact and it don't always work the best for certain things but I guess for lug nuts it should be the best.