lug nut / stud spinning

H

hangarb7

Senior Member
I did search and I know this has been discussed here before but I can't find the old posts.

I have two lugs on one rear wheel spinning. I am guessing that I need to pop off the hub cap, reach in and pull the cotter key, unscrew the big nut and pull the drum off....

Then add a couple weld tacks to the lug? Am I missing anything?

Thanks for your help and suggestions.

JackD
 
The lug is supposed to be swaged in the hub. They have a projection on them to keep them from turning if they are pulled tight in the hub. Some do tack weld them rather than swage but swaging is the best way to go.
 
Not very likely that you will be able to get the drum off without a puller
and you need the wheel off to use a puller.

Bob
 
Be careful if you weld the stud to the hub as there is little clearance between the emergency brake apparatus and the hub. If you swage the stud to the drum, it takes a tool available from the Model A vendors and a press capable of more than 20 tons. The force needed is about 20-25 tons and a 20 ton Harbor Freight press just will not make it. See the link here below for an example of my club installing lugs with a fabricated jig for holding a home made die.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=bbWsOSU3lJ8

John
 
wow, now I am actually worried. I am a relative newbie and just accomplished my first front brake jobs on the car.

Regarding getting the drum off, certainly someone has had this issue before. How was it done if you need a puller? I assume you need a puller because of the spline shaft...?

Thanks
 
I honestly have never really had to use a puller to get a drum off. But I've had a number that were REALLY tough and I cussed a lot. Back off the adjuster as much as possible and all the other stuff (undo emerg brake rod and service brake rod), and keep your fingers crossed.

And yes, I have a drum on one A that someone tacked the studs to the hub. As John says, I had to grind them down because I had some contact. Good luck
 
Jack;

I do a lot of swedging of brake drums / hubs and don't recommend tack welding the studs at all. I would be glad to remove the bad studs and swedge in new ones at no labor cost. You would only need to pay for the replacement studs and shipping cost both directions. But better yet, why not replace both rear drums with new cast iron ones? I have new cast iron drums and can to this for you.

If interested, then call me at 714-292-8660

Thanks

Randy Gross
 
Jack

It's a dilemma as you indicated . I would do as you said and after pulling hubcap and cotter back off the axle nut a little (several threads) and drive the car carefully around the block and see if the hub comes loose . Hopefully it will . You may tray and see before you so that if it doesn't come loose anyway as many are not tight.
Hopefully this will work and you can remove safely. Repeat if necessary. I have had to do this several times though the years and been successful each time .
Let us know how it goes . As randy gross said it may be the best time to convert to cast iron if you wish to and his offer is certainly generous.
Larry Shepard
 
If you remove the jack, will the weight of the car be enough to hold the studs from turning? If not, I'd probably get my drill or Dremel out and remove the nut the hard way.
 
Tom Wesenberg said:
If you remove the jack, will the weight of the car be enough to hold the studs from turning? If not, I'd probably get my drill or Dremel out and remove the nut the hard way.
Click to expand...

I also did mine the way Tom mentioned. It is the hard way but if all else fails, this may be the last option. You will need to then replace the studs.
 
Untighten the ones that aren't spinning. Lower the car off the jack and hopefully the weight of the car will stop the studs spinning . Never let anyone use a rattle gun to remove the nuts. Thats what did one of mine but the above allowed removal of the nut. The 20 something tire shop worker having ignored my advice not to use his air tool made himself very scarce while I was fixing the problem! -Karl
 
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