How to Replace a Wheel Stud in a VW Passat

If you recently had a flat tire and had some trouble tightening the wheel nuts as you changed it along the roadside, your wheel studs may be cross threaded. Often people don't realize that they need to replace wheel studs on their VW Passat until a mechanic brings it to their attention or they change a tire.

Things You'll Need

• Jack, lug wrench and jack tools
• Blocks
• Replacement stud
• Vise-grips
• Open end wrench
• Crescent wrench
• Dead blow hammer or heavy mallet
• Extra wheel bolts and wheel nuts
• Impact wrench (if available) or 1/2-inch long handled drive socket wrench

Instructions

1. Purchase a new stud. You need to get one the same size. If you don't know the size, remove the stud and take it with you to the auto parts store.

2. Look for the jack, which is stored in the spare under the cargo area on the passenger's side of your VW Passat. Block the wheel diagonal to the placement of the jack.

3. Jack the Passat up and remove the wheels. The front brakes are disc, so take off the caliper and rotor. Slacken the rear brakes by inserting a small tool through a hole for the wheel bolt and lift up on the adjusting wedge. Take off the cotter pin, grease cap, locking ring, outer bearing and thrust washer to remove the rear drum.

4. Look behind the hub and see if there's a space to remove the stud. If you see a small cut-out opening, line the stud up with it. For the rear, feel around the back for the head of the stud.

5. Whack the head of the stud with a hammer to push it out the back. Line a new stud up with the hole and insert it in the back. Push as hard as you can to get threads through.

6. Place a wheel bolt on the threads and tighten down the bolt. As you do this, the stud slowly pulls through the hole. Add more bolts to complete the job. Look or feel behind the hub and when the stud head is flush, it's seated. Use and impact wrench for the job to make it easier.

7. Remove the additional bolts. Begin with the last item you took off the wheel to replace the stud in your Passat and work backwards to put them back on the vehicle. Tighten down the wheel nuts.