Broke a wheel bolt -- How do I fix?

[Rileysowner]

Today, at least around 5, was one of those days. I had a meeting about an hour and 20 minute drive from home, and my wife was out in the Mazda. I went out to the van to find the front driver's side tire completely flat. After a struggle to get the jack under the van I jacked it up only to realize I had not loosened the lug nuts. Lowered the van and got to loosening the nuts. The first one was very tight, but came loose. The second one, seemed even tighter. I gave it a good pull and then another, on the third pull I snapped the bolt right off.

Question is, how do I fix this?

[tim k]

you have to replace the lug you local parts store should have what you need I had that happen to me but 2 of them broke and autozone had the wrong listing for the part so I would suggest bringing an lug nut up there with you they will also need to know the length of the stud I think there was 2 different sizes

[Rileysowner]

Great! I mean it too. I was concerned this might be a big problem. Thankfully my wife drove up with the Mazda just after I broke the bolt off, so I took that. We have a snow storm forecast to tonight and tomorrow and if they are correct I may not be able to do any work. But if not. I may be able to get to it. What would be involved in fixing it other than getting a new lug bolt? How do I get an old one out to take in?

[tim k]

it looks like you have to remove the brake rotor to acces the back of the lugs and then you have to tap out the broken one and install the new one you have to thread on the lugnut and it will pull the lug into place

[Rileysowner]

That sounds easy enough. A little labor intensive, but straightforward enough. Hopefully I can make some room in the garage (ie. Get the vehicle that is in there out) and get this done.

[canadavan]

I just did this because some dirtbag tried to steal the wheels off my van but got 3 lugs before realizing there was a locking lug. So instead of putting them back they left it like that wand walked. So needless to say, my drive to work was interesting. 2 posts snapped off.

The only thing you need to remove is the wheel. I used a sledge to punch the broken studs out and then you just feed the new ones in from the back. I used a couple of nuts to pull the new studs all the way in.

Its not that hard.

[Smiliesafari]

Apply a liberal coat of anti seize to the threads of the new stud. You don't want to gall the threads when you pull the new stud into place. You can use one of the lug nuts to pull the stud in. Put it on the threads flat side toward the rotor. Some anti seize on the flat side is good also.

[tbhager94]

yup its easy , i replace all 5 on the right rear axle on my caprice, one day after work i noticed 1 was missing so i went to crappy tire on my way home and when i got there i was missing 3 wtf ? so i bought all 5 and new lug nuts as well and took it easy the 45min highway drive home .
bfhammer and some wd-40 and a good punch got them all out then just pushed the new ones through and tightend them up till the head was flush . took abt 45min start to finish .

[Rileysowner]

This one is broken off pretty much flush with the hub surface. How much force is needed to get one out? Would I be able to use a punch with a good heavy hammer? I usually put anti-seize on, but apparently not this time

[tbhager94]

yeah a couple good hits with a punch and a hammer will take care of it .

p.s. use a punch holder or a pair of pliers on the punch just in case you miss , trust me i smashed a finger once ill try to never do that again

[canadavan]

Yup, punch and hammer is all you need.

[Rileysowner]

Now that the weather is nice, I was going to do this, but on the front there is some sort of shield behind the hub that makes getting the bolt out once it is free virtually impossible, not to mention putting the new one in. My BIL told we that would be the case on the front, and I would have to take the hub off. Does anyone have any suggestions that would prevent me from having to do that? It isn't that I don't want to take it off; I just don't want to take it off right now

[astrozam]

I thought I procrastinated Jim,

[canadavan]

Just turn the hub until there is space in behind to pull the stud out.

[Rileysowner]

Thanks. I will try that.

And, yes, I am a major procrastinator especially when it is cold, windy and snowing like it was most of this past winter. Now the weather is nice, I am trying to get all the things fixed that need to be fixed.