Changing a tire, whether it’s to rotate tires or to repair a flat, is a fairly simple and straightforward task. The necessary tools are generally in the trunk of the car.
Use a good quality jack (like the floor jacks found here) to safely lift the car, remove the lug nuts, remove the tire.
But what happens when the lug nuts are stripped? A stripped lug nut will have rounded edges that the lug wrench cannot grab and grip onto.
Below I have outlined three different methods for removal, but only one is safe and easy.
3 ways to remove a stripped lug nut
Method 1 – Using a Cold Chisel – (not recommended)
Using a cold chisel to remove a lug nut is dangerous, difficult and may damage the car. But in a situation of absolute desperation, the information is good to know and the method will work if followed correctly.
Having said that this is the least recommended method. You have been warned.
You will need a cold chisel, a hammer and a new lug nut.
Method
- Hold chisel at a 90 degree angle to the damaged nut.
- Hammer straight down until a dent forms.
- Hold chisel at a 45 degree angle and insert into the dent.
- The chisel should be on the right because you want to push to bolt to the left or counter clockwise.
- Hammer the chisel until the lug nut loosens, replace damaged lug nut with a new one.
Method 2 – Using a 12 Sided Socket
This is the second best method. It does require damaging a tool, so it is still not recommended. However it is not dangerous. It simply uses tools not generally recommended for stripped lug nut removal.
For this method you will need a ratchet, a twelve sided socket slightly smaller than the lug nut, a hammer and a new lug nut. For instance, if your lug nut is 18mm, choose a 17mm socket. It is extremely important that it is a twelve point socket and not a six point socket.
Method
- Pound the socket onto the damaged lug nut with a hammer.
- Insert ratchet into the socket.
- Turn the ratchet to the left or counterclockwise to loosen the lug nut.
- Replace the damaged nut with a new one.
- Throw away socket.
- Includes storage case and product manual with torque conversion chart
- Wrench emits a click that can be heard and felt when the preset value is reached
- High-contrast dual-range scale is easy to read, even in low light
- Reversible ratchet head drives in both directions and measures torque in clockwise direction
- Durable all-steel construction has no plastic parts to break or wear out
Method 3 – Using a Specially designed Socket for Removing Damaged Lug Nuts
Sockets come in many sizes and shapes for different jobs. There is a socket made specifically for removing damaged lug nuts. The groves inside are curved and angled to grab the smooth nut, unlike a regular socket which has straight groves.
This is the easiest, safest and most efficient way to remove a stripped nut.
For this method you will need a socket for removing damaged lug nuts in the same size as the nut, a socket wrench, preferably a breaker bar ratchet with a long handle, a hammer and a new lug nut.
Method
- Pound the socket onto the lug nut with the hammer.
- Insert ratchet into the socket.
- Turn the ratchet to the left or counterclockwise to loosen the lug nut.
- Replace the damaged nut with a new one
Four steps, no damage to person or car, no trashed tools, so the final method is the preferred manner to remove a stripped lug nut. Although the sockets made for damaged nuts are the best, a bolt extractor in the same size as the nut could be substituted, in a pinch. Also the longer handled ratchets will give greater leverage when loosening the bolt. This is especially important if the nut is rusted as well as stripped. Also an electric socket wrench can also be used.
