How to get a stripped lug nut off?

[Cooljt1]

Anyone have any suggestions? So far I have 4 out of 5 lug nuts off my wheel but the 5th one is semi stripped

 

[I Saw OJ]

Get a socket that is slightly smaller than the one that fits on there, hammer it on there, and then your good to go. This method also works for removing locking lug nuts when you have lost the key.


seth

 

[jamesave]

i thought I saw a gator grip on tv commercial.. not sure if it works tho

 

[Cooljt1]

alright so the original size of the lug nut is 17mm.....so i just hammer on a 16mm and i am good to go? how successful is this?

 

[styrafoam]

Originally posted by: jamesave
i thought I saw a gator grip on tv commercial.. not sure if it works tho

They work well, I bought one to get a stripped oil plug off and it gripped it no problem.

 

[I Saw OJ]

Usally works good. Or you could try the equvilant of a 17mm in standard size, it might be just enough of a difference to fit snug to be of use. It works well, I do the smaller size socket trick all the time of different stipped bolts.


seth

 

[Cooljt1]

cool just went out there and banged on it for awhile but i guess its not quite stripped enough yet to easily get the 16mm on. i will try again tmw so i dont wake up all my neighbors at 3am in the morning banging on a lug nut.

 

[Grouchyoldguy]

Did you use a 6 point socket or a 12 point?

 

[SkyBum]

worst case scenario is you have to weld a nut to it and then use a socket on that.....

 

[Squisher]

Originally posted by: SkyBum
worst case scenario is you have to weld a nut to it and then use a socket on that.....

Yeah, the heat will do half of the work for you too.

<---getting out broken/stripped bolts is a big part of my job.

 

[Grouchyoldguy]

If you used a 12 point when it rounded off try a 6 point. If you used a 6 point try a 12 point 16mm. 5/8 is close to 16mm. 11/16 is close to 17mm but slightly bigger(.5mm if I did the math right).


edit: Also, put the other lug nuts back on and tighten them good. That will help take the pressure off the stripped one.

 

[randal]

Originally posted by: SkyBum
worst case scenario is you have to weld a nut to it and then use a socket on that.....

I've done this a couple times for myself and other people over the years. Works great.