Carbide Stud Removal

Tire studs increase traction in the ice and snow.

Carbide studs are commonly inserted in snow tires in areas with a lot of snowy or icy weather. Tire studs increase traction in bad road conditions caused by the bad weather. When the bad weather has passed and the tires are driven on the road, the carbide studs are very noisy and cause damage to road surfaces. Thankfully, carbide tire studs are removable so that snow tires can continue to be used without dealing with the noise or damaging the highways.

Things You'll Need

• Tire lubricant
• Pliers
• Tub
• Window cleaner

Instructions

1. Remove the tire from the vehicle. Apply tire lubricant to each of the carbide studs. For best results, purchase tire lubricant that is used to mount tires.

2. Grip the stud with a pair of pliers and twist as you pull.

3. Continue twisting and pulling each stud until all are removed.

4. Place the tire in a tank of water after all the studs are removed or spray completely around the tire with window cleaner. Watch for air bubbles that indicate a puncture.

5. Have the punctures repaired at a tire shop, if needed.

6. Rinse the tire to remove all of the lubricant and mount the tire back onto the vehicle.

7. Test the air pressure after the tire is mounted, and add or remove air to get the tire pressure into the recommended range.

References

• Tire Rack: Removing Studs from Winter Tires
• Tire Rack: Metal Studs for Winter Tires