[Scott Collins]

Do Not Try This At Home!

New technique: Using one's face to change tires.

Today as I was loosening the wheel lug nuts to change from snow tires to summer tires, I accidentally sheared one off, which let go so suddenly that I smashed my face into the top of the driver's side fender. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/ohmy.gif[/img] I actually dented the fender slightly with my left cheek. Hard to see in the photo, but it's there. Snows are still on the car because the remaining half of the lug not is so mangled I can't get a socket on it. Here are the pics.

   
   

I post the bruise when it shows up.

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[rhudeboye]

Advil for your head and they make a socket head that needs to be hammered on. It has several notches inside that grip what ever is left on the bolt. My mechanic used it when the teeth on my lug key broke. It was able to spin off that smooth rounded lug with ease.

Curious- Were you using an impact wrench?
Is this the consequence of light weight lugs? I swear I can hold all 5 in my hand it has the weight of one normal lug.

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[Scott Collins]

Rhude-

advil - done! [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif[/img]

Yep, lightweight lug nuts. Very light. Looks like alloy of some sort. Came on the car from the PO. I don't think they are OE.

I was using my 1/2" socket wrench with a breaker bar to improve leverage. I have a pneumatic impact wrench, but my compressor is a but too weak to break them loose, so I have to start manually.

I'll have to look for the special socket and let you know.

-Scott

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[DaveN]

You can't use an impact on those nuts IMHO. They are an Alum composite and are very delicate. You have to hand torque to 95 Ft/lbs and after some 15 -20 uses (Flash ?) they should be replaced due to fatigue. They should come off with very little effort; I use an 18" bar and deep socket and they remove quite nicely. How old were yours? I'll bet if you put on summer and winter tires a lot they have well exceeded the recommended on/off ratio hence the shearing effect.

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[Scott Collins]

I change the tires twice a year, and also have removed them lots of times to change rotors, pads, bleed the system, etc. I did not know they would have a "lifespan", but it makes sense. Maybe I should buy some steel nuts? I already have some brass ones, but they don't come off. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif[/img]

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[porsche]

put a schmear of "anti-seize" paste on the threads!!!

only torque the factory OEM lugs to 130Nm (and toss those after-market crappers!!!)

use a calibrated torque wrench.

I've always used Facom tools. each to their own, but Facom is my fav.

always exercise extreme caution!

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[968Syncro]

A couple of years ago I finally bought a 1/2 inch drive breaker bar and torque wrench. I have no idea how I got by without them, they are now often used. Yes, sadly, I got the harbor freight torque wrench version, probably only $20-$30. Yes, always questionable quality when buying there, but I figure it is "good enough" for now. The breaker bar was from Napa, actually broke that one removing the rear hub nuts (torqued to around 250 ft.lbs.) on my 944, they replaced it for free.

Just took a look at their web site, and this popped up. $25 bucks, multiplies torque 33:1, fits in glovebox. Whadda ya guys t'ink?

Torque Multiplier/Lugnut Remover

   

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[rhudeboye]

Looks like something the bad guys would use on 007 to make him talk.

I also find that HF is hit and miss with there tools. On the upside you save some cash. The down side is, if its something like a miscalculating torque wrench it could cost you more time and money then the savings.

Scott- Do you own a chisel? You may be able to back it out little by little till you can twist it off with a wrench.

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[Scott Collins]

Thanks for all the tips guys.

Porsche: who makes the "anti seize" paste"? I need to get some of that.

Rhude: is there a technical or brand name for the special socket that I might be able to get on what's left of the mangled lug?

As far as torque wrenches go, I'm on my 2nd one. The first one, a Craftsman, was NOT replaced by Sears. They say it does not qualify for the lifetime guarantee.

No bruise yet. Thanks again, guys. Please feel free to chime in with answers.

Cheers!

-Scott

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[porsche]

Scott,

I use Wurth CU 800 Anti-Seize paste.

Torquing the factory lugs to 130Nm using a Facom torque wrench, link:

http://www.ultimategarage.com/shop/part....cts_id=440

Used in conjunction with Facom's 19mm Impact Socket, link:

http://www.ultimategarage.com/shop/part....ts_id=1426

This socket grips on the flat sections of the lug. As such, it may help to extract your broken after-market lug.

Yeah, Facom tools are pricey, but compared to an emergency room run (let alone the follow up doctor's visit), they're cheap insurance!

As Benjamin Franklin laid it out: "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure...." so very true!!!

Porsche

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[Scott Collins]

Porsche,

Nice work with the Ben Franklin quote. I love that guy! Visited his house many times while living in Philadelphia. (That is, the spot where his house used to standn which is now an underground exhibit.)

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