Remove stripped lug nut
How to remove stripped lug nut
If you’ve got a stripped lug nut, I’ll show you a few ways to remove it. But first you have to determine whether your lug nut is capped or not. Capped lug nuts have a decorative chrome, black or other fancy color that’s fitted over the original lug nut to cover the threads of the wheel stud and provide a nicer look.
How to identify a capped lug nut
Lug nuts that are capped, will strip more easily than an open end lug nut or a solid acorn lug nut. On a capped lug nut, the cap is made from thin chrome plated aluminum. As the steel lug nut rusts, it expands and distorts the cap, causing it to strip in your socket
Chrome capped lug nut
Stripped lug nut cap
Remove a stripped capped lug nut
If you strip a capped lug nut and you’ve used a metric socket, switch to the nearest size SAE socket to get a better fit (or vice versa). If that doesn’t work, you can purchase half-size sockets designed just for this purpose. Most auto parts stores sell them. Get a 19.5mm socket or a 21.5mm socket and try that.
If you don’t have access to half-size sockets, used a hammer and small cold chisel to cut off the lug nut cap. Then use the sharp chisel
Find a perfectly good lug nut under the decorative cap.
blade to slice down the sides of the thin metal cap. Remove the cap and you’ll find a perfectly good lug nut with sharp corners. Find the right size socket and you’re back in business.
Remove a rounded over lug nut or lug bolt
This is a little trickier. You can try switching from metric to SAE sockets, or vice versa to get a better grip. But if that doesn’t work, it’s best to stop what you’re doing and buy a special stripped lug nut removal socket. They work by tightening onto the lug nut as you apply counterclockwise force. The harder you turn, the harder they bit into the stripped lug nut.
These aren’t capped lug bolts. They’re just regular solid steel lug bolts that are rounded over
Stripped lug nut removal sockets come in two styles: reverse spiral flutes and reverse threaded. I’ve found that the threaded style works better but is much harder to start. The reverse spiral flute style lug nut socket seems to start right away but doesn’t seem to bite as aggressively once it’s started. Just so you know, removing the stripped lug nut from inside the socket is much easier with the spiral fluted style shown below. Find the spiral flute set at amazon for $38. Or buy the half-size sockets at amazon for $28/set
GIREORAN Wheel Lock Removal Kit, 10 Piece Lug Nut Remover, 1/2-Inch-Drive Impact Easy Out Bolt Extractor Socket Set for Removing Damaged, Frozen, Rusted, Rounded-Off Bolts, Nuts & Screws
NOTE: Ricksfreeautorepairadvice.com receives a commission on products purchased through amazon links.
©, 2012 Rick Muscoplat
Steelman Pro 1/2-Inch Drive 6-Point Thin Wall Double Ended Impact Flip Socket Bundle, 18.5mm x 19.5mm and 21.5mm x 22.5mm Sizes
Posted on by Rick Muscoplat