• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

How do you break off a lug nut


Ozwynn

Well-Known Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
Joined
Aug 6, 2007
Messages
6,506
Reaction score
200
Points
63
Age
47
Location
Berrien Springs, MI
Vehicle Year
2022
Make / Model
RE Interceptor
Transmission
Manual
My credo
If you can't go through it or around it, then go over it.
How do you break off a lug nut that’s been rounded and cross threaded? Asking for a friend that apparently can’t use air tools
 


ericbphoto

Overlander in development
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
GMRS Radio License
Joined
Feb 7, 2016
Messages
15,352
Reaction score
16,632
Points
113
Age
59
Location
Wellford, SC
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
3.0 V6
Engine Size
3.0L
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
6"
Tire Size
35"
My credo
In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are different.
If it's that screwed up, I think I would jump straight to drilling the stud out of the center. Thn lug nut falls off. Remove the wheel. Replace stud.
 

Ozwynn

Well-Known Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
Joined
Aug 6, 2007
Messages
6,506
Reaction score
200
Points
63
Age
47
Location
Berrien Springs, MI
Vehicle Year
2022
Make / Model
RE Interceptor
Transmission
Manual
My credo
If you can't go through it or around it, then go over it.
Yeah… thanks man. It has to go to a shop for that, so to get through our work day I just plugged the tire and aired it up. We don’t take this truck out on the hwy anyways.
 

Uncle Gump

Token Old Guy
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
TRS 25th Anniversary
Joined
Sep 17, 2018
Messages
14,000
Reaction score
13,500
Points
113
Location
Ottawa IL
Vehicle Year
2006/1986
Make / Model
Ranger/BroncoII
Engine Size
4.0L SOHC/2.9L
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
Lead follow or get out of my way
use a damaged lug nut removal socket... about $20

1653910883023.png
 

rumblecloud

Well-Known Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Mar 6, 2020
Messages
1,397
Reaction score
1,126
Points
113
Location
48022
Vehicle Year
1994
Make / Model
Ranger Splash
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
1-1/2 inch front leveling
Total Drop
Stock
Tire Size
31/10.50/15
My credo
What's the worst that could happen?

racsan

Well-Known Member
Supporting Member
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 17, 2007
Messages
4,983
Reaction score
4,481
Points
113
Location
central ohio
Vehicle Year
2009
Make / Model
ford/escape
Engine Type
2.5 (4 Cylinder)
Engine Size
2.5/151 I-4
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Tire Size
235/70/16
My credo
the grey-t escape
If its on the front of a drop-center rim (steel of course) Id just torch it.
 

lil_Blue_Ford

Well-Known Member
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
V8 Engine Swap
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 6, 2007
Messages
8,338
Reaction score
6,178
Points
113
Location
Butler, PA, USSA
Vehicle Year
95
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
4.9L
Transmission
Manual

racsan

Well-Known Member
Supporting Member
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 17, 2007
Messages
4,983
Reaction score
4,481
Points
113
Location
central ohio
Vehicle Year
2009
Make / Model
ford/escape
Engine Type
2.5 (4 Cylinder)
Engine Size
2.5/151 I-4
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Tire Size
235/70/16
My credo
the grey-t escape
Id think the heat would damage/distort it though.
 

Roert42

Well-Known Member
RBV's on Boost
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Apr 24, 2020
Messages
4,792
Reaction score
4,996
Points
113
Location
Kintersville, PA
Vehicle Year
2011
Make / Model
Ranger XLT
Engine Size
4.0 SOHC
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Aluminum is a good conductor, so the heat will dissipate faster through the aluminum then the steel.
 

19Walt93

Well-Known Member
Ford Technician
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Nov 13, 2018
Messages
4,524
Reaction score
4,483
Points
113
Location
Canaan,NH
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
351
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Drop
3"
Tire Size
235/55R16
My credo
If you don't have time to do it right will you have time to do it over?
Aluminum is a good conductor, so the heat will dissipate faster through the aluminum then the steel.
I've seen many aluminum wheels damaged by guys trying to cut off lug nuts, don't do it. The sockets posted above or one sold to remove wheel locks would be the way to go. You need an impact wrench to use the lock removal socket.
 

lil_Blue_Ford

Well-Known Member
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
V8 Engine Swap
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 6, 2007
Messages
8,338
Reaction score
6,178
Points
113
Location
Butler, PA, USSA
Vehicle Year
95
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
4.9L
Transmission
Manual
Id think the heat would damage/distort it though.
It’s possible to damage both aluminum and steel rims with a torch, but you can’t cut aluminum with a normal torch because a torch cuts by oxidizing the metal (rust), and aluminum doesn’t oxidize the same way plus it’s a good heat conductor. I’d only resort to a torch as a last resort though and I’d probably start with trying to heat the nut before pounding a socket on and hitting it with the impact before resorting to cutting.
 

Eddo Rogue

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 18, 2020
Messages
3,982
Reaction score
2,502
Points
113
Location
Burbank,CA
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ranger 4x4
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
OHV
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
skyjacker front leveling kit
Tire Size
31-10.50R15
My credo
Crossed threads are tight threads.
What happens if you try to torch cut aluminum? Does it just melt?
 

lil_Blue_Ford

Well-Known Member
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
V8 Engine Swap
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 6, 2007
Messages
8,338
Reaction score
6,178
Points
113
Location
Butler, PA, USSA
Vehicle Year
95
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
4.9L
Transmission
Manual
What happens if you try to torch cut aluminum? Does it just melt?
I had thought it would, but it doesn’t cut or even melt well with a torch. A least not a rim. I slagged a couple nuts and studs on a junk aluminum rim (they tried to cut the lugs off with a grinder before I was recruited to use the torch). I melted the steel and blew it out as slag and about the only real damage the torch did beyond the grinder marks was burn the clear coat and leave black soot.
 

Eddo Rogue

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 18, 2020
Messages
3,982
Reaction score
2,502
Points
113
Location
Burbank,CA
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ranger 4x4
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
OHV
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
skyjacker front leveling kit
Tire Size
31-10.50R15
My credo
Crossed threads are tight threads.
Its crazy never had the thought of what happens when you try to torch cut aluminum. It so soft I just use saws meant for wood and not tell the carpenters lol.
 

lil_Blue_Ford

Well-Known Member
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
V8 Engine Swap
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 6, 2007
Messages
8,338
Reaction score
6,178
Points
113
Location
Butler, PA, USSA
Vehicle Year
95
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
4.9L
Transmission
Manual
Its crazy never had the thought of what happens when you try to torch cut aluminum. It so soft I just use saws meant for wood and not tell the carpenters lol.
Yup, and actually abrasives intended for steel/stainless steel (like cut off disks and grinding disks will load up with aluminum rather than cut. Aluminum requires an entirely different cutting method than steel
 

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Staff online

Today's birthdays

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Truck of The Month


Mudtruggy
May Truck of The Month

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

Follow TRS On Instagram

TRS Events

25th Anniversary Sponsors

Check Out The TRS Store


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Top