- A lug nut is a metal fastener used to secure the wheels on a vehicle. Since wheels must be secured very tightly to ensure safety, it is common for lug nuts to become stripped in the tightening or removal process, meaning the material of the nut is worn down to the point where the standard tool used to turn it can longer grip the nut tightly. A common approach to take off a stripped lug nut is to exchange the normal lug wrench or socket wrench for one that is a size too small for the nut. Since the nut is stripped, the smaller wrench will almost be able to fit, and by using a hammer to hit the smaller socket wrench onto the nut, a very tight grip can be made on the nut, allowing it to be removed. After the nut is removed, use a hammer and punch to dislodge the nut from the socket wrench. (Note: This is hard on the socket wrench.)
- Given how common it is for screws and nuts to become stripped, hardware makers offer a variety of tools specially designed for dealing with stripped fasteners. One of the most common types of specialty wrenches for removing stripped bolts is a kind of socket wrench with a head filled with metal rods that can depress when pushed onto a nut. This type of wrench will conform to the shape of any nut that it can fit over, making it a great way to remove stripped nuts. The "Gator Grip" is one of the more popular brands of this type of wrench.
- Another way to go about removing a stripped nut is to avoid rotating the nut at all, instead using a tool to break the nut off. One way to break off a stuck lug nut is to use a chisel and a hammer, or a punch and a hammer to split the nut. This can be dangerous, however, since a tool might damage the wheel itself. Another approach is to use a welding torch to burn the lug nut off, or to heat up the nut, making it weaker, and then using a hammer and chisel. Drilling into the top of the lug nut, using bits of increasing size can also remove a lug nut--though again, methods involving taking off more of the nut risk damaging the wheel.
