How to Change the Wheel Studs on a 1995 Ford Windstar

The wheel studs on a 1995 Ford Windstar are a softer material than the lug nuts. When a lug nut is installed on a wheel stud and torqued down, the nut tends to pull on the threads. It is good practice to put a small amount of anti-seize on the studs to lessen the possibility of stripping the threads. If a lug nut begins to cross-thread when being installed, stop immediately and remove the nut. The studs are pressed into the hub with splines to prevent the stud from spinning. If a lug nut is cross-threaded it will either break the stud off or overpower the splines and press fit resulting in the stud and nut turning. This is a real problem and it is difficult to repair.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Floor jack
• Jack stands
• ½-inch drive air gun
• Set of ½-inch drive sockets
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• Set of 3/8-inch drive sockets
• Hammer

1. Raise and support the vehicle on jack stands. Remove the wheels using the air gun and a socket. Remove the brake caliper mounting bolts with the 3/8-inch drive ratchet and a socket. Lift the caliper off the rotor and hang it on the spring or lower control arm.

2. Remove the two bolts in the caliper-mounting bracket with the 3/8-inch drive ratchet and a socket, and remove the bracket. Pull the rotor off the hub.

3. Rotate the hub to position the wheel stud to be removed over the area of the hub offering the most clearance to remove the stud. Hammer the stud out of the hub.

4. Insert the new wheel stud into the hub from the rear. Smear anti-seize on the wheel stud threads and on the hub where it comes through. Use the air gun and the socket used to remove the wheel and tighten the lug nut, which will draw the stud into the hub. Make sure that the stud is pulled all the way into the hub. Remove the lug nut and replace all parts in reverse order of removal.

References

• Don Bowman, A.S.E. Certified Mechanic

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