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Argh - Broken locking wheel stud - Options?
TimC - 30/11/14 at 12:31 PM

Hi All,

Went to swap to my winter wheels and tyres on the daily and one of the McGard-style locking nuts has broken-up.

What now?

Cheers,


joneh - 30/11/14 at 12:37 PM

Halfords do a lost key tool that may help or else get the welder out and weld a nut on.


CosKev3 - 30/11/14 at 12:42 PM

Loosen off all the other wheel bolts and drive up and down your road steady checking frequently if the locker has come loose, moving steering side to side as you go


Talon Motorsport - 30/11/14 at 12:55 PM

Drill the center out with 5mm pilot using a battery drill, then swap for 7mm-10-12 untill the taper section parts company with the threaded section. With no torque acting against the thread you should be able to just unscrew the thread from the hub with your fingers or at least mole grips. Do not use an electric pistol drill if the drill gets too hot it will heat temper the bolt and you'll never drill it out.


Ben_Copeland - 30/11/14 at 02:02 PM

Bang a socket over that's slightly smaller. It'll cut its way into the nut. With luck it'll release with a twist of a bar


adithorp - 30/11/14 at 05:30 PM

Different methods work for different designs. Do yours have the loose sleeve around them? Some McGard style do.

If not then either a locking nut remover (like a female version of an easy-out) if you've to get it in through the ally, or drive a scrificial 12point socket over it and undo. Give it a few good strikes with a drift first as that helps (and relives frustration).
If it has the loose sleeve/ring then chances are that's hardened; Even if you get a socket or tool to bite, it'll will just spin. Use a small very good quality drill (3mm) to drill down between ring and stud then split the ring with a chisel. After that remove by the first method.


BenB - 30/11/14 at 06:16 PM

I'd weld a nut on and then put a spanner on it and smack it one. Should loosten it nicely.


Norfolkluegojnr - 30/11/14 at 10:41 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Ben_Copeland
Bang a socket over that's slightly smaller. It'll cut its way into the nut. With luck it'll release with a twist of a bar


This.

Did all four of my recent projects wheels this way.


nick205 - 30/11/14 at 10:56 PM

Cut down M12 bolt welded on worked for me....


www.locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=189870


MikeRJ - 1/12/14 at 11:02 AM

quote:
Originally posted by CosKev3
Loosen off all the other wheel bolts and drive up and down your road steady checking frequently if the locker has come loose, moving steering side to side as you go


That may get the wheel removed, but only because the stud will have sheared off.


pewe - 1/12/14 at 11:13 AM

quote:
Originally posted by MikeRJ
quote:
Originally posted by CosKev3
Loosen off all the other wheel bolts and drive up and down your road steady checking frequently if the locker has come loose, moving steering side to side as you go


That may get the wheel removed, but only because the stud will have sheared off.


Agreed, plus you run the risk of chattering the seats on the ones you've loosened.
Cheers, Pewe10