Lug Nuts Welded On

[Citizen]

Ok, not really, but...

I'm trying to get the RF tire off for repair of a slow leak. I cannot get the lug nuts off even using my full strength. So I tried a "cheater" on a lug tool. I applied so much force, it bent the tool. Here's a picture...

LugTool.jpg

I finally stopped trying, and decided to post here to see if anyone had any suggestions. While waiting, I've sprayed the lug nuts with PB Blaster, as best as I could.

Thanks,
Thomas

...

[dn010]

Go for a drive, let it heat up from the brakes and then try it. Otherwise, I use a 1/2" socket wrench and a 3' pipe over the handle for things like this. Not trying to insult you, but crazy things happen all the time - be sure you're trying to go the right way to remove them.

[Citizen]

Go for a drive, let it heat up from the brakes and then try it. Otherwise, I use a 1/2" socket wrench and a 3' pipe over the handle for things like this. Not trying to insult you, but crazy things happen all the time - be sure you're trying to go the right way to remove them.

Can't drive it now, have a bad failing water pump. May try a heat gun as an alternative. Thanks.

Yep, I used a 3' (or so) pipe over the lug tool (as well as a socket wrench). That's how I was able to apply so much force to bend the lug tool.

No insult taken, thanks for offering suggestions. I'm 99.99999999% sure I was going the correct way...CCW anyway.

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[Bitsyncmaster]

Those four way lug wrenches are made pretty cheap and will bend. I did the same thing many years ago. Your best bet is a good impact wrench (1000 ft/lbs reverse). But use a well made tool with a cheater pipe will probably work.

[Michael]

Dumbass lazy mechanics and their FU@#ING impacts set to max.

[DMC-81]

Hi Thomas,

I used this principle to remove rusted hex nuts when I was refurbishing my exhaust: http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?14...-stock-exhaust



It worked for me, of course it would be tough/tricky to do this on our lug nuts because they are recessed in a painted wheel.

[Josh]

Dumbass lazy mechanics and their FU@#ING impacts set to max.

Was going to comment this as well.

Never tighten lug nuts (final pass) with an impact.

[Michael]

Was going to comment this as well.

Never tighten lug nuts (final pass) with an impact.

This is one reason I have elected to do a lot of the work on my car myself. My neighbor has a lift and we have plenty of tools. I will not put an impact anywhere near my wheels because even loosening and pre tightening, they have a way of beating the lug sockets and lugs themselves up. It takes a few extra minutes but I'm not on flat rate so I don't care...unlike the mechanic who A: Doesn't give a shit about your wheels and B: Is more worried about getting the car off the rack before lunch than doing the job right.

[lazabby]

Sounds like the problem I'm currently having with getting the calipers off to work on them. I can't budge the bolts, even after soaking in PB Blaster.

[DMC1890]

Those four way lug wrenches are made pretty cheap and will bend. I did the same thing many years ago. Your best bet is a good impact wrench (1000 ft/lbs reverse). But use a well made tool with a cheater pipe will probably work.

I start to worry when using cheaters to create massive torque that the fastener will snap or twist. Somehow the impact wrench seems safer.