![]() ![]() You can also hammer it, or jump down on the bar (as long as it’s tightly secured), to add extra turning force. This can add two to three times as much torque to that initial turning action, which is often what is needed to break the lug nut loose. Use as long of a driver handle as you can, and then fit a piece of hollow piping over the handle to further extend the arc. ![]() You can increase the amount of torque by lengthening the arm of the driver used to spin the socket. Ensure that the socket you are using is the right size, and that it’s on as tight as possible before applying torque. In fact, a loose socket is more likely to spin around the nut and round off its edges, creating a second problem for you to deal with. If your socket isn’t tight enough, it won’t be able to properly grip and turn the seized lug nut. Spray it at the base of the nut and wait, as long as you can, for the oil to work its way through the threads and between the nut and the metal of your hub. The least labor-intensive way to break a rusty lug nut free is by soaking it in a product like WD-40, PB Blaster or some other oil-based lubricant. It can also occur at the base of the nut, cementing it in place. Most of the time, a seized lug nut won’t lighten its grip due to corrosion, which happens when water, road salt and oxygen mix where the threads meet. Let’s look at the basic steps you should go through when dealing with a stuck lug nut. ![]() It doesn’t have to be that way - there are a number of tricks on how to loosen a nut that just won’t budge, so you can get the job done and get back on the road. For more information about how to remove a rounded lug nut, chat with a knowledgeable expert at your local NAPA Auto Parts store.A seized lug nut can turn the simple task of changing a tire into a frustrating experience. If the lug nut is just too far gone or hard to reach due to wheel design, it may make sense to outsource the job.Ĭheck out all the lug nut products available on NAPAonline, or trust one of our 17,000 NAPA Auto Care locations for routine maintenance and repairs. You can also head to your local NAPA Auto Care and let our experts handle the job for you. Just be careful not to damage the wheel stud or else you will need to replace it.Ī rounded lug nut is an annoyance, but a little time and elbow grease will get it free quickly so you can finish the job at hand. If you have room you can use a nut splitter to break the lug nut apart. A grinder and a wrench can also be used, or you could even use a blowtorch to warm it up so it expands and you can get a better fit for the socket. You could also use a chisel and hammer to remove rust and loosen the nut. There are alternative methods you can use if the socket and hammer method doesn’t work. Otherwise, a few good whacks with a hammer should break the nut free. If you’re strong enough, then you may be able to break the lug nut free just by pushing down on the breaker bar counterclockwise. You can also slide an iron pipe over the handle to give yourself extra leverage, but you might not need one. Once the socket is firmly in place, attach the breaker bar. All you need to do is get the socket firmly secured over the lug nut. You don’t want to smack away at the thing like you’re forging Thor’s hammer. The socket should require a few taps with a hammer to get it into place, but take it easy. If you have to use a hammer to get it to slide into place, then you’re on the right track. You’re aiming for one that’s a bit smaller than the lug nut you’re trying to remove. If the socket slides off and on easily, then it’s too big. ![]() You want a tight fit here, so pick the smallest possible size that will fit around the lug nut. Even if the lug nut looks okay, applying oil will allow it to spin more freely and make the process easier. If it’s rusty, then this step is especially important. Loosen up the lug nut by applying liberal amounts of penetrating oil to the base. That and some muscle should do the trick. All you need is lubricating oil, a nut and bolt extractor set, a hammer, a breaker bar and a 1-inch diameter piece of iron pipe. We find this works in most situations where you have to deal with a rounded lug nut. It might not be the most technical part of the job, but it’s something you’re bound to run into at some point, so let’s talk about how to remove a rounded lug nut. Knowing how to remove a rounded lug nut is essential when you’re working on a car. Either way the lug nut is now rounded off and you can’t remove your wheel. Maybe someone used a standard socket on a metric nut, or maybe someone went overboard with an impact gun. One of the most frustrating things while working on a car is coming across a rounded lug nut. ![]()
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