Rusted on lug nuts

[jonnywake]

What's the best way of getting rusted lug nuts off? I tried WD-40, but that didn't seem to make them want to budge?

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: Rusted on lug nuts

HEAT, HEAT, AND A LITTLE MORE HEAT <br /><br />Should do the trick.

 

[gutshot grouper]

Re: Rusted on lug nuts

Try heat then some PB Blaster, when you pet 'em back on, use Never Sieze , a mix of powdered aluminum and grease, they won't sieze up.

 

[spartanpele]

Re: Rusted on lug nuts

Use Liquid Wrench and let it soak for a few hours. Then tap on the lug wrench with a hammer while trying to turn it. If it doesn't loosen, apply for Liquid Wrench and wait another hour and repeat. <br /><br />If it still doesn't come off, get out a small torch and heat up the lugs, then hammer while trying to unscrew. Repeat process.<br /><br />Remember to wire brush clean before reusing.

 

[jonnywake]

Re: Rusted on lug nuts

Thanks for all your input. Hopefully, I can get these bolts off w/o damaging the hubs.

 

[BF]

Re: Rusted on lug nuts

I use a 1/2" drive socket with a 3' pipe over the handle. The 90 degree angle of the socket makes it less likely to break the stud then if you used a long handled tire iron (which twists/breaks studs off very effectively). If the studs break off, so be it. Tap broken studs out with a small sledgehammer, then replace with new. <br /><br />Oh, Hold on.. at first you say lug nuts and later you say bolts... Are they lug nuts, or bolts? If it is lug bolts (not nuts) then I think you have bigger problems. If those break, then they'd be stuck in the hub holes (maybe forever ?)... maybe get em' out with good heat, but who knows, I haven't been there myself thankfully. I'd take more care not to break those if at all possible. But, I have stopped being too worried about breaking studs in my cars & truck... they're easy enough to change. New stud and new lug nut are $1.97 for the pair.... but again that's if it's a stuck nut, not a bolt.

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: Rusted on lug nuts

Agree with Reelpoor.<br /><br />Heat, repeatedly, and pour oil on the nuts when hot, so that it seeps as they cool.<br /><br />Eventually ..... it might just work.<br /><br />I undo all my nuts every month or so, and put copperslip on the threads before retightening. After all, they lead a hard life.

 

[rwidman]

Re: Rusted on lug nuts

First, soak them for several hours with your favorite rust loosening product such as "Liquid Wrench", then us an impact wrench on them.

 

[Wotknot]

Re: Rusted on lug nuts

I agree with gutshot.....PB Blaster.....best stuff I've ever used.

 

[ALAG3]

Re: Rusted on lug nuts

PB Blaster, soaked over night....magic!

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Rusted on lug nuts

Save yourself some grief. Stop at your local tire store and have them buzz them on and off with their impact wrench.

 

[jlinder]

Re: Rusted on lug nuts

If you don't have one, get an X wrench. Amazing what force you and a friend can put on those nuts, and by pulling on both ends you are less likely to break off the studs.<br /><br />Oh, and do what everyone else has said, as needed.

 

[ALAG3]

Re: Rusted on lug nuts

Well, we want to know, what worked?