[MedicineMan]

I am about to restore my Rally Is and have a loose wheel stud on the rear axle. The lugnut spins, but wont back out. Anyone have any tricks on getting the lugnut off without damaging anything. I thought about removing the rest of the lugnuts and trying to pull on the wheel to see if I can get it to reseat. But, thought someone here may have a better idea.

Thanks.

[shineybike]

Can you get a nut splitter on the lug nut?

[prostreet64]

You say the lug nut spins but won't back out; I assume you mean the lug nut and stud are turning together? Or are the threads on the stud stripped and the lug nut is trapped so to speak? You might try an impact wrench; even with a loose stud it might get the lug nut started. I had a similar problem once and had to cut the lug nut off with my dremel tool.

[steve v]

If you can't get the stud to reseat using your method you could try this one.

You can pull the axle shaft/brake drum/wheel off as an assembly but there's a little work involved. After you pull the diff cover off you'll have to remove the spider gear pin then remove the "c" clip that holds the axle in. You may also have to back off the brake shoe adjuster if there's a lip on your brake drum. You should then be able to pull the wheel-drum-axle combo (being careful so you don't damage the axle seal) out in one piece allowing you to either grab the backside of the stud w/vise grips or torch it off.

While it's some work, it's better than messing up your wheel trying to chisel a lug nut off.

[chipster]

If we're talking about a '67 GTO here there won't be any c-locks...

[engineer]

agreed, no c locks, but you could pull the axle once you undo the 4 bolts holding it onto the backing plate. my 67 has the axle nuts on the outside so it could be done. I like the dremel or undoing the other 4 and getting that one to seat.

[MedicineMan]

Thanks for the ideas. Actually the goat has a 12 bolt rear from a 67 Chevelle I think. I will try to get an impact wrench on it and see if it will break loose. What started this was a year ago I rebuilt the rear drums and replaced a stud that was stripped. I replaced the old stud with one that was a tad longer. Thought it would work, but I think the nut has bottomed out on the stud.

I'll try my method, then the impact wrench. If those fail, I will look at taking the axle out.

[wytnyt]

just get a deep well impact socket and using a long extension,,bend the lug back ad forth to snap it off,but this only works with long chrome lug nuts
if their the short ones ,,just drill out the stud till its gets the stud weak enough to snap off

[engineer]

okay, well 12 bolt chevy will have c clips so just remove the axle and handle it on the bench. easy then. sorry, we did not have enough info had we known.

[performerrpm]

the idea of removing the axle if it was non c clip may not have worked since most ive seen the nut was inside the drum area with a flat oval head that gets wedged agains the axle tubes.

[engineer]

you would have to look at your setup to see how the axle bolts are mounted and if they could be replaced if instead they were cut. Only have 4 67 a bodys as a check.

[455Darren]

I ran into the same problem with my old '76 GP. After chisiling the nut off I replaced the stud and tack welded all the studs on the back. Future problem solved.

[78 GHOST]

In addition to the above, I sometimes have good luck prying outward on the nut while trying to unscrew it.

[MedicineMan]

Got it off with an impact wrench. Thanks everyone for the help!