Write-Up: Wheel Stud Replacement

How hard is it to replace a wheel stud on the front passenger side? I know you hammer the old one out and put the new one in by using a lug nut to tighten it. But does anything else need to be removed in order to change the wheel stud? I have read that you need a shorter bolt, but what is the length? I found a replacement bolt and I think it was 41.5 mm. Does that sound right.

EDIT: I just had to change another wheel stud and I found out that the gm manual is not very specific on where the new stud can squeeze into. The threads on the new stud ended up getting a little messed up, but the thread restorer fixed it right up. I think you might have to remove the wheel hub inorder to change them.

I asked a buddy of mine (aka mechanic).

It's super simple. To pull the new one in ..you simply put it in the bearing and tighten the lug nut. Because of the shoulder on it.and not wanting to tighten the lug all the way to the bearing, I used some scrap of metal laying around with a hole in it to fit over the stud.

I also used a spare lug nut and air gun because I did all 10 fronts to for longer studs for some slicks and spacers.

So I don't have to worry about removing the hub or anything like that?

I don't think so, but once I cracked a front stud and couldn't figure out how to fix it. Took it in to Midas. They looked it over and explained that the hub had to come off to fix it correctly. I stayed around and watched them do this, because I felt like I was getting taken. $200 later it was done. I always felt they could've fixed it without going through what they did. But that's how they did it.

Well I got part one done. I used wd40 and a big hammer to help it get loose. It took a few hard hits and it popped loose. Apparently you can't remove the stock wheel stud without cutting it off. I tried every angle and there just wasn't enough clearance. I ended up using a cut off wheel on a grinder and it came right out. I believe the new stud is shorter to be able to instal it The stock stud is around 51 to 52 mm long and the replacement is 41.5 mm long.

Quote :

I used wd40 and a big hammer to help it get loose.

You mean the hub?

AA wrote:

Quote :

I used wd40 and a big hammer to help it get loose.

You mean the hub?

Just the stud.

Well it is a lot harder than it looks. I tried everything to get the stud in there, but I don't think it is possible without removing the hub. Will I be ok driving 4 miles to the dealership on 4 lug nuts?

98riv wrote:

Well it is a lot harder than it looks. I tried everything to get the stud in there, but I don't think it is possible without removing the hub. Will I be ok driving 4 miles to the dealership on 4 lug nuts?

Yes.

Bert

You guys do have slightly different hubs than I do...but every one I've seen there was a way to get the studs in and out w/o removing. Hmmm can you get a picture for us? Sounds like there isn't enough clearance.

$100 later and I have 5 wheel studs. They said they had to take of a bunch of stuff to get room.

i've never had to remove the hub to get the new stud in. maybe grind the end of the new stud a lil to sneak it in but that was it.

$200 you would've been cheaper to just replace the whole damn wheel bearing

Reese, If you've done this on a '98 Riv, I'd like to know how you did it.

If I'd have known it would cost that much, I might've done the hub. But the car was at the shop already. They have to order the hubs in, but studs are easier to find.

98.......ummmmm that maybe a lil different from a 96, but i know i can get a hub for my car for $100 with my discount

FYI - ARP wheel studs now available:

http://www.zzperformance.com/grand_prix/products1.php?id=875&catid=137

Awesome! I'll look into these when I get my new wheels this summer.

I finally got a service manual and I looked it up. Apparently all you have to do is:
1. Jack the car up.
2. Take the wheel off.
3. Take the brake caliper off.
4. Take the brake caliper bracket off.
5. Take the brake rotor off.
You can then remove the stud and put the new one in by using a couple of washers and then you put the lug nut on the stud and tighten it until it is completly seated. Then just reverse the process and you are done. Hopefully those instructions will save someone money. I can try to post the torque specs, but you should be able to find them in the brake threads.

Well I just had another chance to change a wheel stud. It is not as easy as the gm manual says. I don't know how they expect you to fit the new stud in there without having to remove the hub. The replacement stud was a little shorter than the stock ones, but I still managed to mess the threads up a little bit on it when I installed it. I used a thread restorer kit on it and it fixed it right up, but a person shouldn't have to do that. If anyone knows for sure that you need to remove the hub, please post.

actually it's not hard if you are using the right tool:

http://www.denlorstools.com/home/dt1/page_15388_520/kent_moore_j-6627-a_tie_rod_puller_stud_auto_tool.html

...have a look.

Albertj

albertj wrote:

actually it's not hard if you are using the right tool:

http://www.denlorstools.com/home/dt1/page_15388_520/kent_moore_j-6627-a_tie_rod_puller_stud_auto_tool.html

...have a look.

Albertj

That wasn't the hard part. The hard part was actually getting the bolt started straight in the hole. Every position I tried would only let the bolt go in at an angle because things were in the way.

Hope this is the right place but, it seems like one of the threads on my front passenger hub is stripped. Lug nut spins but won't tighten.

I haven't taken a good look yet, but can I replace the bolt of the stripped threading or do I have to get a whole new hub?

charlieRobinson wrote:

Hope this is the right place but, it seems like one of the threads on my front passenger hub is stripped. Lug nut spins but won't tighten.

I haven't taken a good look yet, but can I replace the bolt of the stripped threading or do I have to get a whole new hub?

You can replace the stripped bolt only. Most garages (especially independents) will do the job for very short money.

Albertj

charlieRobinson wrote:

Hope this is the right place but, it seems like one of the threads on my front passenger hub is stripped. Lug nut spins but won't tighten.

I haven't taken a good look yet, but can I replace the bolt of the stripped threading or do I have to get a whole new hub?

You can replace only one or more bolts, they simply press in to the hub face. See a tool for this:

http://www.otctools.com/products/wheel_stud_remover-installer

Granted, the tool is like $250 retail -- but, most independent garages I know of will replace a wheel stud for short money, if you're a regular customer maybe for just the price of the bolt if you are having other service like a tire rotation - it goes that quickly (and is done that often)...

Albertj

I had to do this last year after breaking a wheel stud. The correct way to do it is to remove the hub, because there isn't enough room behind the mounting face to clear the studs when you pound them out.

BUT...

With a little ingenuity, the lug studs can be modified to fit past the hub. I'll post some pictures in a few minutes.