wiggle in lug studs.... OK ?

christian

christian

Senior Member
While finishing up my winter re fresh, I noticed that while putting the drums back on that a few lug studs have a slight wiggle to them. Is this something I should be worried about ?
 
Probably usable short term. The lug nut pulls everything together on the back side clamping drum to hub to wheel. You need but two lug nuts to securely hold a wheel. More to the issue of holding the brake drum - and why they are loose in the first place? (Might be a cracked hub?)

I would inspect now for cracks and swedge them next winter if none found. And check everything for tightness using a hand wrench about mid summer.

Joe K
 
christian said:
While finishing up my winter re fresh, I noticed that while putting the drums back on that a few lug studs have a slight wiggle to them. Is this something I should be worried about ?
Click to expand...

Hey Christian,
May be a GOOD idea to buy a set of shims about now ! They go under lug nuts and compensate somewhat for the condition your rims are in.
I've used these shims for years and is a great / cheap way to prevent further hogging out of the stud holes in wheel. These shims are made of STAINLESS steel and tuff ! I think that most vendors carry them. Good luck:)
 
Often times the lugs were welded in and over time the welds have cracked or broken free. Wiggle is not good. You can try to re weld but best is to do it right and maybe look at replacing the drums if they're worn and then swaging in new lugs.
 
I don't think its a problem, as long as you can keep the lug nuts tight. On the other hand, if the lugs seem to repeatedly loosen, action sooner than later is prudent. I am also making the assumption, that you only have one or two max, that are loose with the wheel off.
 
If that "wiggle" turns into "spin", you will, then, be in trouble. You won't be able to remove your wheel, no matter what.
MIKE :) (mikeburch)
 
FL&WVMIKE said:
If that "wiggle" turns into "spin", you will, then, be in trouble. You won't be able to remove your wheel, no matter what.
MIKE :) (mikeburch)
Click to expand...

I had to drill, chisel, and grind a couple out that were doing this, and believe me, it's not a job you'd wish on your worst enemy!
 
hardtimes said:
Hey Christian,
May be a GOOD idea to buy a set of shims about now ! They go under lug nuts and compensate somewhat for the condition your rims are in.
I've used these shims for years and is a great / cheap way to prevent further hogging out of the stud holes in wheel. These shims are made of STAINLESS steel and tuff ! I think that most vendors carry them. Good luck:)
Click to expand...

Are you talking about the axle shims ??
 
I was able to get a spining lug wheel of the car by taking the hub cap off and using a hub puller to pop off the wheel and zap the lug, get the wheel off then fix the lug nut. took all day
 
hardtimes said:
Hey Christian,
May be a GOOD idea to buy a set of shims about now ! They go under lug nuts and compensate somewhat for the condition your rims are in.
I've used these shims for years and is a great / cheap way to prevent further hogging out of the stud holes in wheel. These shims are made of STAINLESS steel and tuff ! I think that most vendors carry them. Good luck:)
Click to expand...

Those washers are a very poor fix for wallowed out lug holes or even to prevent that. Stainless is a very poor material for that application also.

Here is a pic of the proper way to prevent pulling the lug through the wheel. They are commonly called SCTA lug nuts. These are REQUIRED if you are racing with taper lug type wheels.

http://roto-faze.com/
 

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FL&WVMIKE said:
If that "wiggle" turns into "spin", you will, then, be in trouble. You won't be able to remove your wheel, no matter what.
MIKE :) (mikeburch)
Click to expand...

I had this happen. Yes it is a very hard to get your wheel off. Had to cut the nut off and replace the stud.
 
Pete said:
Those washers are a very poor fix for wallowed out lug holes or even to prevent that. Stainless is a very poor material for that application also.

Here is a pic of the proper way to prevent pulling the lug through the wheel. They are commonly called SCTA lug nuts. These are REQUIRED if you are racing with taper lug type wheels.

http://roto-faze.com/
Click to expand...

Pete, it's hard to see what is going on with those lugs in that photo. What are we supposed to see?
 
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