Okay i just bought my thirdgen about 2 monts ago and the car was missing a lug on each rear wheel. Well i finally got he lugs and went to remove to wheel so that i could tighten them up evenly. Well the lugs are frozen on there for good and one stud snapped off on me. Its an RS with rear drums. What tools will i need and how do i go about fixing all the wheel studs? I've never seen one break before so i have no clue what to do and i'm a little scared to drive it now. Thnx guys

 

After you pull off the drum you should be able to hammer the broken stud out the back of the axle. Then just slide the new one in from behind and use some washers and a lug nut to pull the stud into the axle. It's really a pretty easy job. Hardest part is trying to get the stud into the axle cuase of all the brake stuff in the way.

 

Ack!

Although pulling them through with washers and a nut will work, you better buy a few extra studs. That's a good way to strip the threads on the stud or stretch the wheel stud.

The prefered method is to press them through. You could even use a hammer and hit them through being carful not to hit too hard and damage anything. These will usually require that you pull the axle.

If you intend on pulling it through with washers and a nut, don't use an impact. Use a torque wrench set to about 80 pounds. If it won't pull through at that setting, don't force it by tightening the nut. Find some other way usually by tapping the back of the stud with a hammer. Doing this will cause the least amount of stress on the stud.

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87 IROC-Z SuperPro ET Bracket Race Car
461 naturally aspirated Big Block (times are for the current engine)

Best ET on a time slip: 11.447 altitude corrected to 10.99
Best MPH on a time slip: 119.42 altitude corrected to 124.86
Altitude corrected rear wheel HP: 493
Best 60 foot: 1.586

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87 IROC bracket car, 91 454SS daily driver, 95 Homebuilt Harley

 

Okay well i bought a new stud set and got 12 in case i broke a couple. Now i got the tire off.. but i had to break the remaining studs which i knew was going to happen. Now i cant get the old studs off. They are rusted like a mother. I really need to get them off so i can drive the car. Is there anything i can do short of taking the axle halfs out and having the studs pressed out???? Please help.. thanks

 

Well, what I'd do is pull the axle...I don't like banging on things when it's in it's place...too much shock in places where it wasn't intended to be, and the likelyhood of missing and bang on something you didn't intend to hit.


Once the axle was out, I'd either press the stud applying heat to the axle (not the stud).

I know everyone doesn't have a press and a torch, so then I'd somehow secure and suspend the axle so I could get good, solid blows on the stud.

If I didn't have something i could rig up solidly, I'd take it to a machine shop and have them get'em out.

 

Can anyone recommend a REAL good rust penetrant to soak the sucker in befoe i go at it with the torch? Not like liquid wrench but some super strong chemical.... thanks again

 

Try "PB Blaster"

 

Yes, "PB Blaster" that stuf is THE best. makes WD-40 look like water.

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86 Camaro Sport
383 Speed-O-Motive Crate Engine, Raptor 700R4 Tranmission, Trick Flow Twisted Wedge G2's, 58mm Accel TB, 3.73 Auburn Pro, SLP Cold Air Induction and Headers, Hooker Cat-back, Serpentine Belt Setup, Dual IROC Fans, Jamex springs, 16" IROC Rims, 36mm/24mm Sway Bars, Global West Steering Brace. Hotchkis Rear LCA's,Panhard Bar and SFC's.
My Camaro Project

 

All i gotta say it PB Blaster is the $hIt. Let that stuff soak for an hour or two... and the studs popped right out. I'm back on the road thanks to you guys. Thanks a TON. I love this place... later

Patrick DeGrosse Jr.