Car trouble - Wheels - Lug nuts/bolts broke

[TuffGuy]

I was rotating my tires and two of the lugs/bolts seized. Counting clockwise, #1, #2 and #3 are fine, #4 is stuck half way (un)screwed, and #5 is broken. This is on the front right wheel btw.

I have no idea what happened or why they seized. But they were probably overtorqued the last time they were put on.

How safe is it to drive around on 3 lugs (until I can fix it), and how difficult/expensive is it to replace them? Is this something that I can do by myself in the garage with a few basic tools?

TIA

 

[ScrapSilicon]

3 ..ok(4 even if seized would be better..unless the hub/rotor is very old..then no go)..but limited speed/time onroad..but what vehicle is it..?

 

[TuffGuy]

It's a 2000 Eclipse GT. FWD unfortunately.

As is, half of the rim (1,2,3) is secure, the other half (4,5) is not. That's why I'm a little paranoid. I've been driving carefully, and I'd probably feel better if the the screwed up bolts were staggered.

I'm assuming that I have to remove the rotor and hammer out the old bolts, but I don't know how easy/simple that is to do.

 

[BadNewsBears]

If the other ones are not stuck move one to the opposite side. You need an impact driver. The manual kind. Or just ask your buddy for a BFH and some PBlaster.

 

[Vette73]

Being that they are all beside, none across, each other I would either NOT drive or drive very slow to the shop to fix it.

It is not that hard a fix it you have the tools.

 

[0roo0roo]

quick get a chiltons and replace the damn parts. i flipped th8rough that section once, looks like its not too too hard fromwhat i remember

 

[TuffGuy]

Originally posted by: Munchies
If the other ones are not stuck move one to the opposite side. You need an impact driver. The manual kind. Or just ask your buddy for a BFH and some PBlaster.

Impact driver huh? Aka my trusty hammer.

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
quick get a chiltons and replace the damn parts. i flipped th8rough that section once, looks like its not too too hard fromwhat i remember

They broke late last night, I haven't had a chance to do much. Won't get a chance to fix them myself or to take it in until this weekend.

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
Being that they are all beside, none across, each other I would either NOT drive or drive very slow to the shop to fix it.

It is not that hard a fix it you have the tools.

Hahaha. Trust me, I am so paranoid right now. I can feel every bump coming from the right side of the car.

 

[0roo0roo]

yea a wheel flying off on the freeway is like wmd.

 

[TuffGuy]

Fixed. And it only took $17 for the bolts/nuts, a 17mm wrench, a hammer, and a string (didn't have wire). Well, and a couple of smaller open-ended wrenches that I used as risers to force the bolt through.

Bastard mechanics quoted me $120-$150 to do that. With the proper tools, it probably could've been done in 15 minutes.

Go me. :beer: