I have a 1996 Grand Caravan with factory cast aluminum wheels. After too many tire rotations at the tire dealers, I cannot remove some lug nuts because they have been rounded off by over aggressive mechanics and their impact wrenches. They are recessed, so I can't even get a pipe wrench on them. Any ideas?
Vern

If the lug nuts just have the tin covers on them that are stripped,you may be able to cut/chisel them off and then get a socket on the lug nuts themselves.(Not all that hard to do)
This happens because of cheap design,not over agressive mechanics..

If not,then stop at Sears,they have tools that remove stripped out bolts/nuts/lug nuts.
Make sure you get the correct one,deep well.
Might just want to stop at a tire dealer or repair shop and have them get them off .

Here is a pic of a tool by SK that Sears sells...




(This post was edited by JIM N on Aug 28, 2008, 3:03 PM)

Thanks. I'll try Sears, but that's 1.5 hours from here. Maybe I can order online. I can't drive the van without putting brakes in first, so going to a repair shop won't work.
I appreciate your suggestion.
Vern

Hi Vern....

Looks like you can order online from sears...
http://www.sears.com/...ed+nuts&sLevel=0

Thank you!

Saw them at AutoZone the other day! If with shell that fell off of an orig 3/4" lug nut a six point 18mm socket should do - may need to tap it on with a hammer as needed. Pain in the butt - huh?

T
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Tom Greenleaf - MetroWest, Boston

wish i would have saw this thread 2 weeks ago I about bashed my head against wall had one that stripped and was a bugger to finally get off ended up messing up the threads so cost me more money.

had the issue with my stratus when i had it... we tried everything possible couldnt get it to come of so we took a torch a chisel and hammer to it and finally got it off the hard way but not hard to replace

Note: This shouldn't be construed as a "Trick of the Trade" in any way. Not a recommended solution.


(This post was edited by Loren Champlain Sr on Jun 7, 2009, 5:10 PM)

Quote

That's not a solution that should be suggested to anyone. A torch and aluminum wheel don't mix.




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TOTALLY AGREE! No torches on allum or alloy wheels. If a lug nut is heated you'd better know what you are doing and replace it as heating metal ruduces it's tensile strength as well!

T
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Tom Greenleaf - MetroWest, Boston

o well it seemed fine to me heated up the bolt and chiseled it out (as a last resort of corse)

Again - heat with alum or alloy is a NO NO! Heat works but you have to do that exactly and fast and be ready to replace a wheel, stud, the nut of course and if you can't be quick with like oxy/acet well targeted you have changed the strength of the stud.

Also - heat could make a mess if everything in area got too hot - bearings with their grease, many sealed may not be so happy about that.

MY LAST SUGGESTION IS HEAT IF NO OTHER CHOICE AND BE READY AND WILLING TO REPLACE ANYTHING THAT GOT TOO HOT. DIYers - this is off my suggested list 100%,

T
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Tom Greenleaf - MetroWest, Boston

well its not my problem anymore with the car... now some guy has it that has screwed me over on a trade but either way we got it fixed besides the transmission as i was telling you about on the s10 blazer

What you try on your own car is one thing but advising someone else to do something that foolish is quite another. Aluminum wheels have clear coat on them and that is gone the instant you go near it with a torch.
The only recommended last resort and even that may do damage is splitting the nut with an air chisel.




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