All,

Anyone have any experience with a lug nut that won't come off? I took it to Just Tires and they couldn't get it either. They said they could try harder but didn't wan to break it off.

I put the lug nut on earlier this spring when I put my summer shoes on the MINI. I am thinking the lug nut must have had some moisture on it when I tightened it up. The lug nut is a non oem locking nut.

Anyone have any ideas here or should I just take it to the dealer and have them give it a go?

Thanks,

 

Corrosion is not that likely to cause a lug nut to completely seize. Cross-threading or using an air hammer (an impact gun) on the lug nut is more likely.

Penetrating oil can help if it truly is corrosion. PB Blaster or Aero Kroyl should be available at your FLAPS (Friendly Local Auto Parts Store). WD-40 is not a penetrating oil.

Let the oil soak in for a few hours and thump the lug nut with a soft mallet. That can sometimes help break the bond of corrosion and help the oil penetrate better.

Then torque the heck out of it. Put a big breaker bar on the nut, and lean on it. A long cheater pipe helps you get more leverage. Hit the breaker while you're leaning on it--hit in toward the nut, along the same axis as the stud. Sometimes you can tighten a fastener slightly to break it loose, and then loosen it.

Worst case, you break the stud. If it has been cross-threaded or stretched too much by overtightening, you have to replace the stud anyway.

 

The above advice is dead on. I'm guessing it was put on with an impact gun. Water under the bridge now, but for the future, I'd recommend using a torque wrench to put the lugs on.

Try what he recommended above. You could also try some heat, but be super careful so you don't damage the rim/tire.