Hub bolts rusted on

[cpfrank]

I can't remove the tires on my trailer because the bolts are rusted What are my options?

 

[raven7]

Re: Hub bolts rusted on

Pick up a can of PB Blaster and soak the bolts with it. This is some of the best stuff to eat thruugh rusted parts.

 

[109jb]

Re: Hub bolts rusted on

Soak in PB Blaster as mentioned. Then a socket and long breaker handle. If the nuts come off you are good. Get a 1/2"-20 tap and chase the threads on the studs and get new nuts. Re-assemble with some anti-seize on the threads and torque the nuts to 75 ft-lbs. I use 75 because I use anti-seize which is a lubricant. The actual spec is 80-90 ft-lbs, but is for dry threads. Lubricated you want about 10% less. This provides about the same clamping force due to the easier turning nut.

If they don't unscrew, the studs will break off and the wheel can be removed. Then, either buy new hubs, or buy new studs to put in the existing hubs. If putting in new studs, the old ones can be removed with a hammer and a punch. Take an old one to the auto parts store and they can match it up with new studs. Put the new studs in from the back side and using a lug nut put on backwards with a few flat washers under it, tighten to draw the stud into the hub. Torque it to 75 ft-lbs. Do this without the wheel on there. Once all the studs are in then put the wheel back on.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Hub bolts rusted on

Thundergun will either remove them or snap them off

 

[scrit9mm]

Re: Hub bolts rusted on

just went through the same thing on my trailer. I was pressed for time so I took it to a shop. Had two tires mounted and replaced two damaged/broken lugs. Ran me $72.00. I thought it was well worth it!

 

[kemer1]

Re: Hub bolts rusted on

You can also use the old heat technique. Get your portable hand torch and heat the lugs and bolts. The expansion/contraction cycle will be sufficient to break the rust enough for you to be able to get them to break loose.

PB Blaster is also another great way to get it to break loose.

 

[Fishing Dude too]

Re: Hub bolts rusted on

Can drill out and replace all of the lugs. Used a 6' pipe once and a 4 way to remove on a car broke several lugs doing it but worked.

 

[Gun Dog]

Re: Hub bolts rusted on

If they are older hubs he may have lug bolts which if broken have to be drilled. (Best to spray them from behind with PB) As for nuts, if you bust a stud the lugs are pressed in and can be replaced by driving the old one out through the back. 30 years in auto service. Anti-seize is not recommended on lug bolts.

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: Hub bolts rusted on

You can also use the old heat technique. Get your portable hand torch and heat the lugs and bolts. The expansion/contraction cycle will be sufficient to break the rust enough for you to be able to get them to break loose.

PB Blaster is also another great way to get it to break loose.

X2 heat does wonders... Also, a bit of heat will make miniscule cracks in the rust coating, allowing penetrating oil to soak in deeper. I HAVNT TRIED this, but my friends, sisters, uncles, dads neighbor said if ya heat it up, douch it with cold water, smack it w a hammer, ya can REALLY get the penetrating oil to penetrate

If they are older hubs he may have lug bolts which if broken have to be drilled. (Best to spray them from behind with PB) As for nuts, if you bust a stud the lugs are pressed in and can be replaced by driving the old one out through the back. 30 years in auto service. Anti-seize is not recommended on lug bolts.

Semi-hijack, sorry. Why no anti-seize plz ?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Hub bolts rusted on

Semi-hijack, sorry. Why no anti-seize plz ?

Because the specs for torque on lug nuts is for dry threads. Any lubricant on the threads and you risk over torquing.

Of course you will get a lot of guys that will say they have lubed their threads and never had a problem. I just do what the specifications say and they say to torque them dry.

 

[jimbo_jwc]

Re: Hub bolts rusted on

Use Aerkroil on lugs frt and back around hub/rim , heat ,squirt again , pound tap lightly , thunder wrench air and I have electric and if that dont lossen then cheater and breaker bar or full air ps my commpresor is at 175# , somethings got to give . With never seize reduce tightening torq .

 

[Gun Dog]

Re: Hub bolts rusted on

X2 heat does wonders... Also, a bit of heat will make miniscule cracks in the rust coating, allowing penetrating oil to soak in deeper. I HAVNT TRIED this, but my friends, sisters, uncles, dads neighbor said if ya heat it up, douch it with cold water, smack it w a hammer, ya can REALLY get the penetrating oil to penetrate


Semi-hijack, sorry. Why no anti-seize plz ?

Because the specs for torque on lug nuts is for dry threads. Any lubricant on the threads and you risk over torquing.

In addition, Anti-seize is a semi permanent lubricant resulting in the possibility of the nut backing off the stud under certain conditions. Capped lug nuts are more prone to this. Lug nuts actually benefit form a bit of dry lug. Keeping them in place after torquing and through your travels. Most important when four wheeling. Frozen nuts (I had to type that) are a small inconvenience for safety.

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: Hub bolts rusted on

Because the specs for torque on lug nuts is for dry threads. Any lubricant on the threads and you risk over torquing.

Of course you will get a lot of guys that will say they have lubed their threads and never had a problem. I just do what the specifications say and they say to torque them dry.

In addition, Anti-seize is a semi permanent lubricant resulting in the possibility of the nut backing off the stud under certain conditions. Capped lug nuts are more prone to this. Lug nuts actually benefit form a bit of dry lug. Keeping them in place after torquing and through your travels. Most important when four wheeling. Frozen nuts (I had to type that) are a small inconvenience for safety.

Thanks for the knowledge gentleman... Any ideas on another method to keep luck nuts from rusting on ? We Minnesotans with all the salt and snow fight rusted lug nuts all the time. Of course the boat is sleeping by the time the snow flies. [ rust never sleeps however] But on vehicles and snowmobile trailers, after 'bout 2-3 yrs they can be damn near welded on. Again, sorry for the semi-hijack, but its still on topic....

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Hub bolts rusted on

I always check my lug nuts so I loosen them and retorque them before trips. My loosening them breaks free any corrosion that may occur.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Hub bolts rusted on

Thanks for the knowledge gentleman... Any ideas on another method to keep luck nuts from rusting on ? We Minnesotans with all the salt and snow fight rusted lug nuts all the time. Of course the boat is sleeping by the time the snow flies. [ rust never sleeps however] But on vehicles and snowmobile trailers, after 'bout 2-3 yrs they can be damn near welded on. Again, sorry for the semi-hijack, but its still on topic....

I know what has been said - but all my trailers that see winter get anti-seize on the threads. Never had a lug come flying off on the car trailers or sled trailers from doing that.

 

[ToemanDoug]

Re: Hub bolts rusted on

I would recommend an impact wrench (gun), either air or electric, over a longer lever type approach. The multiple impacts are far more gentle than the high torque approach of the long lever. (less likely to shear the stud off)

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: Hub bolts rusted on

I know what has been said - but all my trailers that see winter get anti-seize on the threads. Never had a lug come flying off on the car trailers or sled trailers from doing that.

I have never had one fall off or even come loose for that matter either. I use anti-sieze on everything w wheels. But now I KNOW I have over torqued them. I think the lesser of 2 evils is to keep using anti sieze and pay close attn to the lug nuts.. In this climate we are kind off damned if we do , damned if we dont. Thanks for the heads up guys...

 

[Gun Dog]

Re: Hub bolts rusted on

Thanks for the knowledge gentleman... Any ideas on another method to keep luck nuts from rusting on ? We Minnesotans with all the salt and snow fight rusted lug nuts all the time. Of course the boat is sleeping by the time the snow flies. [ rust never sleeps however] But on vehicles and snowmobile trailers, after 'bout 2-3 yrs they can be damn near welded on. Again, sorry for the semi-hijack, but its still on topic....

Hub caps or where that's not possible capped lug nuts will help a bit.

 

[109jb]

Re: Hub bolts rusted on

I never-seize ALL of my lug nuts. Cars, trailers, ATV's, you name it. I torgue to 10% under the dry thread specification using a torque wrench. I have NEVER had even one lug nut come loose.

 

[Gun Dog]

Re: Hub bolts rusted on

I've had several of my mechanics think they knew better and use lube. Although with many thousands of tire mounts only a couple come-backs. Needless to say the cost of repairs to those couple that were lubed ran into thousands. The mechanics who knew better where a little light in their paycheck for many weeks.