Broken Wheel Stud

Post by **Steve_S** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 1:28 pm

Rear driver's side wheel stud broke off when tightening wheel nut. I tried drilling and knocking out stud with hub still on the car, but not much success.

In any case, could I have fitted new stud with hub on the car?

To remove the hub do I need a special rear hub extractor tool as one of my manuals says?

If I decide to take it to a garage instead, would I be safe to drive the car a few miles with only 3 nuts on one wheel?

Post by **bmcecosse** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 4:41 pm

Yes safe with 3 studs - but replace all 4 anyway. Hub comes off easily - maybe need help from two tyre levers - but no puller needed. Broken stud should come out fairly easily - hit it harder !

Post by **rayofleamington** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 5:45 pm

If I decide to take it to a garage instead, would I be safe to drive the car a few miles with only 3 nuts on one wheel?

Not really recommended but if you keep the speed low then you reduce the risk. The loading on the remaining 3 studs is pretty nasty so as loang as you don't kerb the car and don't storm over pot holes and speed bumps then it is unlikely to cause an issue.

The hub comes off pretty easily if you have something decent to lever it with. The hard part is loosening the retaining nut, although it can be done with a chisel

Post by **bmcecosse** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 7:07 pm

And a large hammer. Big nut is LH thread on that side.

Post by **Alec** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 7:09 pm

Hello Steve,

As Bmce says " hit it harder !", they do come out. The only problem is that a lot of the effort is lost unless you are knocking onto a solid base so it would be more effective to remove the hub and support the flange say across the jaws of a good vice and give it a good thump. Use the nut to pull the new stud into place.

Alec

Post by **bmcecosse** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 7:13 pm

Yes - that's very important - make sure the stud is pulled right home - and recheck the wheel nuts after a few miles anyway !

Post by **RogerRust** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 7:27 pm

its worth warming it up and using some wd40 or better still penetrating oil. I put mine in a hot oven then oiled it it came out easily.

Post by **Alec** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 7:33 pm

Hello Roger,

"I put mine in a hot oven" doesn't that harm the seal?

really heating is not necessary.

Alec

Post by **RogerRust** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 7:38 pm

Thats true I did the seal and the bearing at the same time so warming it up made sense. It was a few years ago I'd forgotten about the seal

Post by **Scott** » Mon Nov 14, 2005 1:35 am

Don't you guys use the axle to remove the rear hubs ?

Remove the axle, turn it round & slide it over the studs. Screw on a couple of wheel nuts & then tighten up them up to pull the hub off.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Mon Nov 14, 2005 10:32 am

You probably mean the 'half-shaft' in UK speak ! The whole assembly is the 'axle' to us.

Post by **rayofleamington** » Mon Nov 14, 2005 12:29 pm

Don't you guys use the axle to remove the rear hubs ?

much quicker to use a long lever (crow bar), but yes - I guess you can improvise a 'puller'

Post by **bmcecosse** » Mon Nov 14, 2005 7:59 pm

Two tyre levers does the job easily. But Steve - you need to wonder why the stud broke in the first place - this is a very unusual (thankfully) happening. Was there some trauma leading up to the event ?

Post by **millerman** » Mon Nov 14, 2005 11:01 pm

Scott

A very good idea.
I hesitate to say how many years ago I used the half shaft to remove hubs, I suspect those with the comments haven't used the method you advocate!

Post by **Steve_S** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 1:20 pm

Thanks for all the advice. I got the hub off and it is now soaking in oil to loosen stud. Not sure when I will be able to finish the job at the moment.

I only bought the car a few months ago and it had no history. I suspect a previous owner may have fitted wide wheels as the rear wings seem to be slightly widened. If they were running wide steel wheels these may have stressed the studs. One of the other studs has been replaced by one that is shorter, presumably a front stud.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 8:05 pm

I would change them ALL !