Anyone ever had trouble getting lugnuts off - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

teeitup · 11-27-2009, 09:46 PM

I've always been able to get them off but I have a truck here now that has a nice set of tires on white spoked wheels, and I can't get them broke loose. I don't have air, I've used my electric impact. I've tried a break over and a cheater, and no luck. A couple even rounded off now. I think they are rusted on. I sprayed them with PB blaster and still no luck. I don't know what to do with the ones that are rounded, I don't want to torch them because of the wheels. ANY HELP is appreciated. Thanks Randy

**Palf70Step** · 11-27-2009, 09:52 PM

Might be time for a nut splitter. I hate when they get that way.

I have also used my dremmel to split the nut, or at least part way which normally helps to break it loose

mrh33916 · 11-27-2009, 09:53 PM

I helped a friend get the lock nuts off his vehicle when he lost the key to them.
We took regular steel lug nuts and welded them to the lock nuts. It workd great and didn't hurt the wheels. This may work for you, the heat associated with welding another nut onto the existing nut may also help to break them loose.

red69ss · 11-27-2009, 10:08 PM

I've heated them up with the torch and then put the impact on them with sucess, it would mess up the paint finish on the rims but nothing a spray bomb won't fix

**special-K** · 11-27-2009, 10:43 PM

Just a suggestion coming from another direction.On the front,remove the spindle nuts and grind the back of the studs off.On the rear,pull the c-clis and do the same.This is the K1500 Sierra,right?

*Shane* · 11-28-2009, 12:41 AM

keep twisting till they break ... sounds like they are rusty enough that the lugs need replacing anyway.

OldBlue70C20 · 11-28-2009, 01:02 AM

For the rounded ones you might try this.

I bought a truck this summer for my oldest son that had 20" rims on it and had the locking nuts on every stud. The problem was that the truck was a bank repo and there was no security key in the truck to get the nuts off. I did a little research by calling several of the tire and rim shops in my area. They all told me that if I brought the truck in that they could get the locks off with a "special" tool that they had and then they would sell me a new set with the key. One of them told me that the "special" tool about 95% of the time was a deep well socket that was slightly smaller than the lug nut and they drove it on with a hammer and then took the lug nuts off. In the other 5% they used a nut splitter. So on mine I used a metric socket in stead of the SAE that should have been used and I got all 20 nuts off this way. You might spray them down again and let them soak for a while then give it a try.

70duramax · 11-28-2009, 03:48 AM

all the tool trucks carry twist sockets for damaged nuts spend the money and do it right get the right size socket, it'll be 1/2 drive put a breaker and a lenght of pipe and it will break loose. try it in the morning after a bowl of wheaties or later on that night after a few "sodas" lol

70duramax · 11-28-2009, 03:50 AM

all the tool trucks carry twist sockets for damaged nuts spend the money and do it right get the right size socket, it'll be 1/2 drive put a breaker and a lenght of pipe and it will break loose. try it in the morning after a bowl of wheaties or later on that night after a few "sodas" lol another useful trick is to smack them head on with a BFH and than loosen

**special-K** · 11-28-2009, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldBlue70C20

For the rounded ones you might try this.

I bought a truck this summer for my oldest son that had 20" rims on it and had the locking nuts on every stud. The problem was that the truck was a bank repo and there was no security key in the truck to get the nuts off. I did a little research by calling several of the tire and rim shops in my area. They all told me that if I brought the truck in that they could get the locks off with a "special" tool that they had and then they would sell me a new set with the key. One of them told me that the "special" tool about 95% of the time was a deep well socket that was slightly smaller than the lug nut and they drove it on with a hammer and then took the lug nuts off. In the other 5% they used a nut splitter. So on mine I used a metric socket in stead of the SAE that should have been used and I got all 20 nuts off this way. You might spray them down again and let them soak for a while then give it a try.

The difference here is the threads are seized as well as not being able to put a wrench on them.

SOAK/HEAT/LEVERAGE...another thing is striking directly onto the lug and stud which breaks the bind.

teeitup · 11-28-2009, 10:15 AM

Thanks guys, I'm headed out there this morning to try so more, no wheaties just a Dr. Pepper.

Randy

**Boog** · 11-28-2009, 12:52 PM

All this trouble over some white spokes?

**slomotion** · 11-28-2009, 03:04 PM

I'm thinking he wants the tires.......

teeitup · 11-28-2009, 05:52 PM

Got them off went to Napa and got a set of sockets that will fit anything 5/8 to over a inch, I'll get a pic of them soon and show you guys. You tap them on and they are tapered and they have edges that grab the nut, owrk real well. I did break a few studs off though, no biggy. $110 though. I'm sure I'll use them again. I was wanting the tires, not really the wheels, but not they are all OK

rsavage · 11-28-2009, 06:32 PM

Glad you got them off. Had a similar problem with a set of Aluminum wheels with lock nuts and no key. They were really nice rims so I didn't want to wreck them. Tried the special spiral sockets to get them off NG. Researched and found out the lock mfg. and got a key. Key was so thin wall that it rounded off before breaking the lock nuts loose.NG. Wrecked the two front center caps to pull the bearings and drums to grind off back of stud for the fronts. Wrecked the two rear center caps to get at the lug nuts (which are recessed in the wheel) to mig an old socket on the rear ones which did the trick for the rears. Cost to get those bast**ds off was $60 for new center caps, $35 for the special sockets that wouldn't grip, and $12 for a useless POS key that lasted a nanosecond. Oh and many hours and a can of PB Blast.
Sounds to me like you did well Randy.

**special-K** · 11-28-2009, 07:10 PM

Gotta love that anti-seize (on your own stuff).

teeitup · 11-29-2009, 12:48 PM

Here is what I got

**Palf70Step** · 11-29-2009, 02:35 PM

I'll have to keep those in mind.

Glad you got them off!

11-27-2009, 09:46 PM	#1
teeitup Just like to part out trucks!! Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Meriden, Ks-North of Topeka 10 miles Posts: 27,395	Anyone ever had trouble getting lugnuts off I've always been able to get them off but I have a truck here now that has a nice set of tires on white spoked wheels, and I can't get them broke loose. I don't have air, I've used my electric impact. I've tried a break over and a cheater, and no luck. A couple even rounded off now. I think they are rusted on. I sprayed them with PB blaster and still no luck. I don't know what to do with the ones that are rounded, I don't want to torch them because of the wheels. ANY HELP is appreciated. Thanks Randy __________________ 67 Chev swb stepside 4x4 283 4 speed SOLD 72 blazer 4x4 4 speed Cheyenne 72 GMC swb 4x4 fleet 4 speed, original paint 1958 Cameo (one of 1405 built, it was my dads) 2020 chevy Apex 4x4 crew cab 1969 Z28 with the 302 1980 chevy swb 4x4 1964 chevell Malibu SS 1976 K20, sold new originally out of my dads chevy dealership Members that I've met, over 200 probably closer to 300 in the 12 years I've been on this site, everyone I met "It was a pleasure" Last edited by teeitup; 11-27-2009 at 10:16 PM.

11-27-2009, 09:52 PM	#2
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 47,251	Re: Anyone ever had trouble getting lugnuts off Might be time for a nut splitter. I hate when they get that way. I have also used my dremmel to split the nut, or at least part way which normally helps to break it loose __________________ Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God!

11-27-2009, 09:53 PM	#3
mrh33916 Project '67 454 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Columbia SC Posts: 283	Re: Anyone ever had trouble getting lugnuts off I helped a friend get the lock nuts off his vehicle when he lost the key to them. We took regular steel lug nuts and welded them to the lock nuts. It workd great and didn't hurt the wheels. This may work for you, the heat associated with welding another nut onto the existing nut may also help to break them loose.

11-27-2009, 10:08 PM	#4
red69ss Burnouts are therapeutic Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: lancaster, south carolina Posts: 852	Re: Anyone ever had trouble getting lugnuts off I've heated them up with the torch and then put the impact on them with sucess, it would mess up the paint finish on the rims but nothing a spray bomb won't fix __________________ 1969 CHEVELLE SS 1972 C10 ALMOST DAILY DRIVER 1968 C10 RUSTBUCKET (MISSION IMPOSSIBLE) 1972 PONTIAC LEMANS CONVERTIBLE (WIFE'S CAR) "My wife and I were happy for twenty years. Then we met." - Rodney Dangerfield "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Einstein

11-27-2009, 10:43 PM	#5
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: Anyone ever had trouble getting lugnuts off Just a suggestion coming from another direction.On the front,remove the spindle nuts and grind the back of the studs off.On the rear,pull the c-clis and do the same.This is the K1500 Sierra,right? __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

11-28-2009, 12:41 AM	#6
Shane Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: over yonder Posts: 14,270	Re: Anyone ever had trouble getting lugnuts off keep twisting till they break ... sounds like they are rusty enough that the lugs need replacing anyway.

11-28-2009, 01:02 AM	#7
OldBlue70C20 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Midland, TX Posts: 29	Re: Anyone ever had trouble getting lugnuts off For the rounded ones you might try this. I bought a truck this summer for my oldest son that had 20" rims on it and had the locking nuts on every stud. The problem was that the truck was a bank repo and there was no security key in the truck to get the nuts off. I did a little research by calling several of the tire and rim shops in my area. They all told me that if I brought the truck in that they could get the locks off with a "special" tool that they had and then they would sell me a new set with the key. One of them told me that the "special" tool about 95% of the time was a deep well socket that was slightly smaller than the lug nut and they drove it on with a hammer and then took the lug nuts off. In the other 5% they used a nut splitter. So on mine I used a metric socket in stead of the SAE that should have been used and I got all 20 nuts off this way. You might spray them down again and let them soak for a while then give it a try. __________________ 1970 C20 Longbed 307 CID 3 speed Tim Last edited by OldBlue70C20; 11-28-2009 at 01:03 AM.

11-28-2009, 03:48 AM	#8
70duramax Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: morrisdale pa Posts: 46	Re: Anyone ever had trouble getting lugnuts off all the tool trucks carry twist sockets for damaged nuts spend the money and do it right get the right size socket, it'll be 1/2 drive put a breaker and a lenght of pipe and it will break loose. try it in the morning after a bowl of wheaties or later on that night after a few "sodas" lol

11-28-2009, 03:50 AM	#9
70duramax Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: morrisdale pa Posts: 46	Re: Anyone ever had trouble getting lugnuts off all the tool trucks carry twist sockets for damaged nuts spend the money and do it right get the right size socket, it'll be 1/2 drive put a breaker and a lenght of pipe and it will break loose. try it in the morning after a bowl of wheaties or later on that night after a few "sodas" lol another useful trick is to smack them head on with a BFH and than loosen

11-28-2009, 10:15 AM	#11
teeitup Just like to part out trucks!! Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Meriden, Ks-North of Topeka 10 miles Posts: 27,395	Re: Anyone ever had trouble getting lugnuts off Thanks guys, I'm headed out there this morning to try so more, no wheaties just a Dr. Pepper. Randy __________________ 67 Chev swb stepside 4x4 283 4 speed SOLD 72 blazer 4x4 4 speed Cheyenne 72 GMC swb 4x4 fleet 4 speed, original paint 1958 Cameo (one of 1405 built, it was my dads) 2020 chevy Apex 4x4 crew cab 1969 Z28 with the 302 1980 chevy swb 4x4 1964 chevell Malibu SS 1976 K20, sold new originally out of my dads chevy dealership Members that I've met, over 200 probably closer to 300 in the 12 years I've been on this site, everyone I met "It was a pleasure"

11-28-2009, 12:52 PM	#12
Boog laying low Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Searcy, Ark. USA Posts: 13,535	Re: Anyone ever had trouble getting lugnuts off All this trouble over some white spokes? __________________ Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross

11-28-2009, 03:04 PM	#13
slomotion Old Duffer Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Maine Posts: 1,822	Re: Anyone ever had trouble getting lugnuts off I'm thinking he wants the tires....... __________________ '68 Short C20 Flatbed Dually w/ 292 4bbl, Langdon cast headers, and WC T5 trans. '81 G10 Shorty Van "Good judgement comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgement." Will Rogers "Under promise, then over achieve."

11-28-2009, 05:52 PM	#14
teeitup Just like to part out trucks!! Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Meriden, Ks-North of Topeka 10 miles Posts: 27,395	Re: Anyone ever had trouble getting lugnuts off Got them off went to Napa and got a set of sockets that will fit anything 5/8 to over a inch, I'll get a pic of them soon and show you guys. You tap them on and they are tapered and they have edges that grab the nut, owrk real well. I did break a few studs off though, no biggy. $110 though. I'm sure I'll use them again. I was wanting the tires, not really the wheels, but not they are all OK __________________ 67 Chev swb stepside 4x4 283 4 speed SOLD 72 blazer 4x4 4 speed Cheyenne 72 GMC swb 4x4 fleet 4 speed, original paint 1958 Cameo (one of 1405 built, it was my dads) 2020 chevy Apex 4x4 crew cab 1969 Z28 with the 302 1980 chevy swb 4x4 1964 chevell Malibu SS 1976 K20, sold new originally out of my dads chevy dealership Members that I've met, over 200 probably closer to 300 in the 12 years I've been on this site, everyone I met "It was a pleasure"

11-28-2009, 06:32 PM	#15
rsavage Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Alden NY Posts: 2,705	Re: Anyone ever had trouble getting lugnuts off Glad you got them off. Had a similar problem with a set of Aluminum wheels with lock nuts and no key. They were really nice rims so I didn't want to wreck them. Tried the special spiral sockets to get them off NG. Researched and found out the lock mfg. and got a key. Key was so thin wall that it rounded off before breaking the lock nuts loose.NG. Wrecked the two front center caps to pull the bearings and drums to grind off back of stud for the fronts. Wrecked the two rear center caps to get at the lug nuts (which are recessed in the wheel) to mig an old socket on the rear ones which did the trick for the rears. Cost to get those bast*ds off was $60 for new center caps, $35 for the special sockets that wouldn't grip, and $12 for a useless POS key that lasted a nanosecond. Oh and many hours and a can of PB Blast. Sounds to me like you did well Randy. Last edited by rsavage; 11-28-2009 at 06:33 PM.*

11-28-2009, 07:10 PM	#16
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: Anyone ever had trouble getting lugnuts off Gotta love that anti-seize (on your own stuff). __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~ Last edited by special-K; 11-28-2009 at 07:11 PM.



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11-29-2009, 12:48 PM	#17
teeitup Just like to part out trucks!! Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Meriden, Ks-North of Topeka 10 miles Posts: 27,395	Re: Anyone ever had trouble getting lugnuts off Here is what I got Attached Images __________________ 67 Chev swb stepside 4x4 283 4 speed SOLD 72 blazer 4x4 4 speed Cheyenne 72 GMC swb 4x4 fleet 4 speed, original paint 1958 Cameo (one of 1405 built, it was my dads) 2020 chevy Apex 4x4 crew cab 1969 Z28 with the 302 1980 chevy swb 4x4 1964 chevell Malibu SS 1976 K20, sold new originally out of my dads chevy dealership Members that I've met, over 200 probably closer to 300 in the 12 years I've been on this site, everyone I met "It was a pleasure"

11-29-2009, 02:35 PM	#18
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 47,251	Re: Anyone ever had trouble getting lugnuts off I'll have to keep those in mind. Glad you got them off! __________________ Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God!

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