broken lug bolt

[k5zx]

One of the 6 bolts on my rear passenger "wheel" (not the rim but the part where the lug bolts are) broke off and I've been driving on 5 bolts. I know its a matter of time before something bad happens, but how do I go about fixing this?

Try to tap out the broken part or get a new part or what?

I dont do offroading where theres alot of torque on the chassis or anything but I would like to know how to fix it

 

[dremu]

It's called a wheel stud or lug. The part proper is like two bucks and can just be banged out with a hammer, but I think on your axle it's a pain to get to.

That's not catastrophic as long as the other five nuts are properly tightened. However, with a busted stud, I'd question if the others have been mistreated (either too tight or too loose) and that IS bad. It is a good idea to own a torque wrench to properly check the lug nut tightness.

If memory serves, on half-ton axles you remove the wheel and then slip the brake drum off. At that point you have access to the end of the axle shaft, which is a flat round plate about, I donno, six inches in diameter with the studs pressed in.

Ideally you'd press it in and out with a C-clamp, though in a pinch it could be removed with a sledge. Also, though you're not supposed to, you can draw the new one in with an impact. You put a few washers of larger ID than the stud knurls under a lugnut and brrrp.

ANYWAY, it could be a fun way for you learn about your truck, or if you prefer, any tire shop should be able to do it for you fairly quick and cheap. Years ago I recall it being ten bucks, though I'm presuming the rate has gone up.

Either way, do verify that ALL the lug nuts are properly tightened.

-- A

 

[Blue85]

Well broken off is easier than a lug nut stuck on. All you have to do is pull the wheel and brake drum then press or pound the old stud out. You probably have to remove the brake pads to get room, so maybe a good time to do brakes as well. Pressing in the new wheel stud is better than trying to pull it in with a nut, don't know if a C-clamp is strong enough to do it on the vehicle, but certainly worth trying.

If you can't get the old out or the new in on the vehicle, it's time to pull the axle shaft. That requires draining the diff, pulling the cover, removing a bolt from the diff and pulling the cross shaft out. With the cross shaft gone, you can push the axle shaft in like another 1/2" and get the C-clip out that retains the shaft.

 

[k5zx]

thanks very much for your answers dremu and blue85. Especially the cost estimate of taking it in. This is my second year trying to establish a small farm and I cant spare the time to do it myself (especially with my skill/lack of ).

I understand too about getting to know my truck by working on it, but I barely have time to research / surf the net. 95 % of my internet is done on my phone when I go into town and am waiting in lines or for appointments, etc

My winters for the next couple years at least will be spent cutting wood and fixing fences so I wont get a break then either