Re: lug nuts

On Sat, 7 Jun 2025 20:48:42 -0500,
  sticks <wolverine01@charter.net> wrote:

 On 6/7/2025 8:07 PM, Ted Heise wrote:

Okay, got home from Wyoming and found a tire quite low on
pressure.  Did the cleanup and it's definitely flat.  I got
the thing jacked up and tried loosening the lug nuts--but
failed. After many tries, I think the socket I have (13/16")
is just slightly too big.  It wobbles a bit when placed all
the way in.
 
A 3/4" won't go on the nuts, so maybe I need metric?  Seems 20
mm would be the size just less than 13/16".  Does that make
any sense?

 
 Before doing anything else, you you should confirm the proper
 size of the nuts.  If still stripped see recommendations below.

Not sure how to do that, but I picked up a 20 mm socket today and
it seemed to fit the nuts reasonably well.  It wouldn't go on one
of them at all, probably too rounded.  I sheared off a 3/8" drive
extension (socket is 3/8") trying to loosen a different nut, then
switched to a 1/2" extension conected to the adaptor.  The socket
then slipped on any that I tried before anything came loose.

My bigger concern is that I'v probably rounded off the nuts
from trying too many times to turn them with the socket I
have.  Any suggestions on how to go at this?

 
 You can try a slightly smaller socket that you have to beat on
 with a hammer.  Problem with this is it also might get stuck
 and not take the nut off if you're not careful.
 
 You can try using a chisel to beat it off first, and I've then
 moved on to chiseling down the length of the nut and splitting
 it.  Obviously, this can be hard on a nice finish of the wheel
 if and when you miss. You also might end up having to install a
 new wheel stud if you mess up the threads.
 
 The easiest method is using a bolt and nut removing socket
 tool.  These work really well.  Just don't jerk your socket
 wrench.  It works best with slow steady pulls.  Put a pipe on
 the end if you need more leverage.
 
<https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07X7FYZB7>

Okay, is that something I'm going to be able to apply to the nuts
in this stupid "pretty" wheel?

https://panix.com/~theise/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/20250608_155335-scaled.jpg

Ugh.  What a mess.

--
Ted Heise      <theise@panix.com>       West Lafayette, IN, USA