Wheel studs are designed to keep your tires and wheels safely secured to your car. In most cases, these hard steel components don’t go bad or wear out. But occasionally, there are issues that can cause these parts to wear out or break.
Improper installation, over-torquing, or under-tightening of lug nuts can all cause a wheel stud to fail. Thankfully, there are many warning signs that alert you to the potential of a broken wheel stud. Below, we’ve put together a list of the common symptoms to look out for.
What is Wheel Studs?
A wheel stud, also called a wheel lug stud, is a large bolt protruding from the wheel hub, where it sticks out beyond the brake rotor hat. It usually has a ribbed neck, a threaded shaft, and a smooth body. Pressed into the wheel’s hole, it gives the lug nuts something to hold onto to keep the wheels secure.
Unlike wheel bolts, wheel studs stay in place when you remove your car’s tire. This makes it convenient as you don’t have to worry about realigning everything after a tire change.
The most common cause of a bad or failing wheel stud is due to improper installation by tire service technicians, over-torquing of lug nuts, or lug nuts that are not tight enough. However, because the wheel stud is often exposed to the elements, and takes a tremendous amount of abuse daily, there are other issues that can cause these parts to wear out or break.
Most cars, trucks, and SUVs sold in the United States are equipped with four to six wheel studs on each hub. The wheels are inserted onto the hub and are attached with lug nuts or screw-in wheel studs to safely attach the wheels to the vehicle. They are supposed to be tightened to a precise recommended torque pressure by a certified mechanic. When a stud goes bad, it snaps off the hub and creates a serious safety situation.
There are many warning signs that you should be aware of that will reduce the potential of a broken wheel stud and will keep you safe as you drive down the road. Listed below are a few symptoms or warning signs that will indicate that the wheel studs should be replaced.
Key Takeaway
- A wheel stud is a large bolt protruding from the wheel hub that fastens the wheel to your vehicle.
- The symptoms of a broken wheel stud include rust, damaged threads, and missing or incorrect lug nuts.
- One of the most common causes of broken wheel studs is installing the lug nut incorrectly.
- Avoid driving with a broken wheel stud to protect other studs from getting broken.
- The average cost for a wheel lug stud replacement is between $69 and $84. Labor costs are estimated between $58 and $73 while parts are typically priced around $11.
Symptoms of a Broken Wheel Stud
Because wheel studs keep your wheels in place, it’s important to know the signs of a bad or broken wheel stud. Here are some symptoms to look out for:
#1. Rusty Wheel Studs.
Most studs are made from stainless steel, but constant exposure to salt and water can still cause oxidation to occur. Rusty studs can make it hard to install lug nuts, and forcibly removing them can damage both the studs and nuts. Because of this, it’s best to replace your rusty wheel studs as soon as possible.
#2. Damaged Threads.
A broken wheel stud can be caused by a damaged thread pattern. As a pair, wheel studs and lug nuts have similar thread patterns that allow them to lock in place together.
Occasionally, the threads of the wheel studs can be damaged due to:
- Improper installation: the lug nuts are supposed to be hand-threaded a minimum of four rotations to ensure they are properly attached to the wheel studs. Lug nuts should also be tightened in a star pattern and securely fastened to the vehicle’s hub before being placed back on the ground. If you’ve ever changed a tire on the side of the road, you know it’s easy to forget this fact when you’re in a pinch. But it’s important to take your time and avoid quickly tightening the lug nuts.
- Cross threading the lug nut onto the stud: this happens frequently in quick change oil service and some tire service shops, especially when technicians get in a hurry or use the wrong wrenches. To avoid a cross-threading situation, ensure the lug nuts are installed correctly. Slowly guide the lug nut onto the wheel stud until it touches the hub.
#3. Missing or Incorrect Lug Nuts.
If you notice a lug nut missing from your wheel, then a broken lug nut stud is likely to blame.
But using the wrong lug nut for the wheel can be a factor as well. Tapered lug nuts don’t all have the same angle, and using lug nuts with the wrong angle will just about always cause the wheel to come off.
Whether it’s because of too much torque or stripped threads, a broken stud won’t be able to hold on to the lug nut, causing it to loosen up and slip off.
Wheel Stud Replacement
Things You Should Know
- Remove the tire and loosen the old stud with a ball joint separator (preferred) or a sledgehammer. Rotate the wheel and slide the stud off.
- To install the new stud with a ball joint separator, insert the new stud into the hole in the hub and place the tool over both ends of the stud. Then, tighten.
- To install the new stud with a lug wrench, slip the stud into place on the hub, and add washers or a stud installer over the exposed threads. Tighten to secure.
Now, let’s walk through the process of replacing a wheel stud. Follow these steps carefully to ensure a safe and effective repair.
#1. Removing The Wheel.
Park your vehicle on a flat, stable surface and engage the parking brake. Use the lug wrench to loosen the lug nuts, but do not remove them entirely.
Place the jack under the chassis near the wheel you’ll be working on and raise the vehicle until the tire is off the ground. Secure the vehicle with a jack stand for added safety.
Remove the loosened lug nuts and then remove the wheel. If you have a nut that won’t come off of a damaged stud, you may need to use an impact wrench with a stud removal tool, or the nut may need to be cut or torched off.
#2. Removing The Damaged Stud.
With the wheel off, access the hub assembly. Depending on your vehicle, this may require removing the brake caliper and rotor to access the hub.With the hub exposed, locate the damaged wheel stud.
Use the punch and hammer to push the damaged stud out of the hub. The back of the stud can be accessed from the rear of the hub, which generally has an opening or can be made accessible by removing a dust cover.
Take note of any debris or damage in the area. Clean or repair as necessary before continuing.
#3. Installing The New Wheel Stud.
Fit the new wheel stud into the wheel hub from the rear, aligning it with the lug holes. Thread a lug nut onto the stud to prevent the stud from slipping out during installation.
Place the large C-clamp over the stud and tighten it down to seat the stud in the hub. This requires a significant amount of force, so be sure the clamp is secure and properly aligned. You may also be able to use a spacer between the lug nut and the flange surface, then tighten the lug nut down with an impact wrench to seat it.
Remove the C-clamp and lug nut. Ensure the new stud is fully seated and flush with the back of the hub.
#4. Reattaching The Wheel.
Reinstall the wheel, making sure all the lug nuts are started by hand to avoid cross-threading. Tighten the lug nuts until they are snug. Do not fully tighten them yet.
Lower the vehicle to the ground and remove the jack stand. Torque the lug nuts to the manufacturer’s specifications using a torque wrench to ensure they are properly tightened.