How to Replace Lug Nuts

Lug nuts that become stripped or worn will become hard or even unable to remove, making the wheel nearly impossible to remove. Lug nuts that show even the slightest bit of wear need to be replaced before they become too worn to remove at all.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Inspect all the lug nuts on all four car wheels. You will probably need to remove the hub caps so you can get to the lug nuts. See if any nuts are becoming worn down and rounded off at the edges.

2. Take the nut to an auto supply store so you'll know the exact size replacement nuts to get. You probably shouldn't drive the same car to the store, even with only one lug nut removed from one wheel.

3. Remove all the old, worn lug nuts from the wheels and replace them with the new ones. Make sure the new nuts are fastened tightly. Replace them one wheel at a time, especially if you're replacing multiple nuts on one wheel.

Tips & Warnings

• If multiple nuts need replacing, you should lift the wheel up with a jack and remove the nuts in a criss-cross, five-star pattern to keep the wheel balanced. This is the same pattern you use when you change a tire.
• Make sure you have the right tire iron for your size of lug nuts. The manufacturer's tire iron that came with your spare tire will definitely work, but you could also get a crossbar iron for multiple size nuts just in case.