Cross threaded wheel studs

[AJMBLAZER]

Not on the Blazer. My DD Tracker unfortunately.

Mook I bought it from had the teenagers at some shop do all his work for him. After a year I've gotten MOST of the **** fixed. The major one now is the front end. Needs an alignment and the wheel studs are all screwed up.

New wheel studs you say? Yeah...they come pre-attached to ~$200 worth of unit bearing hubs.

I can get the lug nuts off with an impact easily enough and even spin them back on...but it definitely doesn't feel right. Last time I had them off...beginning of the year?...I got a new set of cheapy lug nuts from NAPA and just hammered them on with the impact and torqued them. Haven't budged since. Now I need to go in there so I can fix the alignment and check on the brakes.

Before I realized what was wrong a year ago I purchased some fancy hardened lug nuts with a nice chrome plating. Would like to use those...but worried about the threads on the wheel studs.

Can I take a die of the appropriate thread and "rethread" these?

I need to take the front tires off to fix the alignment, check the brakes, and so I can rotate the tires. Due to the alignment the fronts are getting a bit oddly worn but still have plenty of tread left. Meanwhile I'd like to fix this so I can rotate the tires again and hopefully the shop can get the tires off to align it properly without having to buy a new set of cheapy lug nuts every time and hope for the best...without spending $200 or so on unit bearing hubs that don't require replacing otherwise.

Thoughts? Advice? Comments? Pads?

 

[Stomis]

Studs 95% of the time still come out of the unit bearing. have you taken a peak for yourself? I know its kinda difficult given the situation but only one way to find out for sure.


And you answer your question, yes you can run a die (sp) down the stud. We had to do it on a couple studs here at the shop when I put new lug nuts on them with out never seize like a dope.

I still think the studs will come out of it though.

 

[AJMBLAZER]

If I'm remembering correctly you can't on these. That back plate that the ABS sensor reads is in the way.

 

[Stomis]

If I'm remembering correctly you can't on these. That back plate that the ABS sensor reads is in the way.

Remove the plate. A little gently mapp torch work should loosen it up enough to slide right off, replace studs, reinstall.

We did a SN95 mustang front suspension conversion on a 66 mustang at work and I took the abs sensors off the bearings because they looked clunky and obviously unnecessary. That popped right off with a couple taps with a light hammer.

Infact you could probably persuade them to come off with a heat gun and patients as to not over heat the grease in the bearing.

 

[4X4HIGH]

The studs will come out but you have to remove the ABS wheel first (they usually come off real easy).

 

[AJMBLAZER]

Have to give it a look. Thanks guys.


So if I don't get the threads perfect in the meanwhile...kinda wondering about these fancy hardened lug nuts I have. Worried about chewing up the threads more. Would like to use them since I have them but don't want to make the situation worse.

 

[ChadRay13]

I would imagine that if there that hardened up a lug nut then they would correct the stud as they go on. Just got to make sure they are on straight and the correct thread pitch.

 

[gotblazers]

I work in a Goodyear Retail store and we have tools to clean up the threads on lugs and studs. As long as the threads arent stripped it should be repairable. Maybe see if the shop you are taking it to has said tools. Seems pretty standard for a tire shop

 

[Deuling]

I bet you could get a hand die and carefully rethread them, just use lots of tapping oil. may take a while not being able to turn all the way with the other studs in the way, but if you used a tap wrench with a single arm (idk if they make em but a hack saw would prolly work on a 2 handled one)

 

[AJMBLAZER]

The shop is my garage.

BS like this is why I don't like taking them to garages. Everything I've had to fix on this truck has been because the previous owner took it to shops/garages/stores and "trusted their work".


I found a M12x1.25 die that fits a 1" socket so I'm going to give that a whirl.
Should probably do the rotors and pads up front and still need to get some camber bolts. Need to finally put the balancing beads in the tires but have all the stuff for that.