Repair 7

How to Replace Auto Wheel Studs

Wheels are secured to a vehicle with a stud bolt and a lug nut. Over time, the stud bolts can become damaged and need replacement. Stud bolts are pressed into the wheel hub and cannot be removed as normal bolts can. Most vehicles have four or five studs per wheel while some vehicles have more.

Instructions

Remove the Wheel Hub Assembly

1

Break loose the lug nuts with the lug wrench. Do not remove them at this time.

2

Raise the vehicle in the air with the floor jack and place the jack stand in a secure place.

3

Lower that car until it sits securely on the jack stand. Shake the car to ensure that it rests safely on the stand.

4

Remove the lug nuts. Take the wheel and the tire off of the vehicle.

5

Remove the brake caliper and caliper mounting bracket with the socket and ratchet. With mechanics wire, hang the caliper from the vehicle, being careful not to pull or stretch the rubber brake like.

6

Remove the brake rotor by pulling it away from its resting position on the wheel studs.

7

Loosen the bolts holding the wheel bearing/hub assembly to the vehicle. Unthread them about halfway. Drive out the wheel bearing by striking the wheel bearing bolts with a hammer. Make sure to work your way around the bolts to drive out the bearing as straight as possible.

Remove and Replace Wheel Studs

8

Secure the wheel hub assembly into the vice. Be careful not to damage the dust cap on the back.

9

Thread a lug nut over each of the studs to be removed. Drive each stud out of the wheel hub assembly. Remove the lug nut from the wheel stud and discard the wheel stud. Repeat this process for all of the wheel studs to be removed.

10

Place a new wheel stud into the wheel stud hole and thread a lug nut over the new stud.

11

Pull the new stud into position with the socket and ratchet to tighten the lug nut. Tighten only until the back of the new stud fits flat with the back of the hub. Remove the lug nut. Repeat steps 3 and 4 until all of the studs are properly secured.

12

Remove the wheel hub assembly from the vice.

Reinstall the Wheel Bearing and Hub Assembly

13

Place the wheel hub into position; it will not fit in all the way. Thread the hub bolts into the wheel hub by hand until tight.

14

Gently draw the wheel hub back into position by tightening each hub bolt with the socket and ratchet set. Tighten one bolt two full turns and move to the next. Work your way around the hub assembly until it has been completely set into place. Torque down the hub assembly bolts and look to make sure the hub assembly sits flush with its holding component.

15

Slide the brake rotor over the new studs and replace the caliper bracket by reinstalling the caliper bracket bolts with the socket and ratchet.

16

Place the brake caliper back into position. Be sure to check that both brake pads sit in the proper position.

17

Reinstall the caliper mounting bolts with the socket and ratchet. Discard the mechanics wire. Smooth out any kinks or sharp bends in the rubber brake line.