How to Replace Tire Studs
One of a driver's worst fears is having a wheel come off while traveling down a highway. Over 72 percent of the time that this happens, the problem can be traced back to the failure of a tire stud, because the stud was stripped, broken, bad or too short to adequately hold the rim at speed. The loss of a tire can cause a serious accident. You can replace tire studs that you suspect may fail with relative ease. The whole process involves basic tools and about a half hour of your time. Make sure before you begin that you have the appropriate replacement tire stud for your vehicle.
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Things You'll Need
- Lug wrench
- Tire jack
- Jack stands
- WD-40
- 2x4s
- 3-lb. hammer
- Permatex anti-seize lubricant
- Replacement tire studs
Instructions
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1
Park your car on a level surface and engage the parking brake. Using a lug wrench, loosen the lug nuts of the tire on which you will be replacing the tire stud.
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2
Jack the car up until the tire is above the ground and can be turned by hand. Raise the jack a little higher and fit the jack stands under the car; lower the car's weight onto the stands. The tire should still be off the ground.
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3
Remove the lug nuts and tire. Spray the tire stud you want to replace with WD-40, making sure you spray the stud where it can be seen on both sides of the rotor. After it is sprayed, tap the stud with the handle of the lug wrench to begin vibrations in the stud that will allow the WD-40 to work its way into the threads.
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4
Turn the rotor so the tire stud you are going to replace is away from main body of the car (that is, the stud should be on the fender side of the car).
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5
Place two 2x4s between the rotor you will be working on and the rotor of the tire opposite. If you cannot reach the opposite rotor, or if the design of the car's frame blocks access, brace the 2x4 against the frame of the car. The 2x4 is placed to absorb the stress of your hammering out the tire stud so the axle is not damaged. Try to keep the bracing as straight as you can and not at too much of an angle.
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6
Hold the rotor in position and, using a 3-pound hammer, hammer the tire stud through the rotor and out the back.
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Coat the outside of the new tire stud with Permatex anti-seize lubricant. Insert the stud through the back of the rotor and press the stud into place. You may have to cut a small piece of 2x4, place it on the back of the stud and hit it with a hammer to drive the stud in flush with the back of the rotor. Once the stud is flush, replace your tire, tighten your lug nuts and lower the car.
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Tips & Warnings
Hammer the tire stud out with steady swings rather than one or two grand slams. This will reduce the chance of stripping or otherwise damaging the lock threads in the stud hole.
Never hammer a tire stud on a rotor that is not braced---you could damage the seals on your axle. If you cannot adequately brace the rotor, consult your car's manual for how to remove the rotor and hammer the stud out while the rotor is not attached to the car.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Robar, jk-forum.com
