How to Remove a Destroyed Lug Nut? (10 Easiest Methods!)

How to Remove a Destroyed Lug Nut? Removing a lug nut that is rounded, rusted, or otherwise damaged can be incredibly frustrating.

Normal sockets or wrenches just spin fruitlessly when the nut’s edges are too deformed to grab onto.

So what can you do when faced with the dreaded destroyed lug nut? Don’t give up! There are a number of methods you can try to remove even the most stubborn and messed up lug nuts.

Here are 10 ways to get off a destroyed lug nut.

How to Remove a Destroyed Lug Nut? Here the 10 Best Methods:

Method	Description
Impact wrench	This is the most common method and can be effective if the lug nut is not too badly damaged.
Breaker bar	This is a long, leverage tool that can be used to break loose a stubborn lug nut.
Screw extractor	This tool is designed to grip and remove damaged lug nuts.
Welding	This can be used to weld a nut onto the lug nut and then remove them both together.
Sawing	This can be used to saw off the lug nut, but it is important to be careful not to damage the wheel.
Drilling	This can be used to drill out the lug nut, but it is important to use the right size drill bit and to be careful not to damage the wheel.
Hammer and chisel	This can be a crude but effective way to remove a damaged lug nut.
Liquid wrench	This is a penetrating oil that can be used to loosen a stubborn lug nut.
Heat gun	This can be used to heat up the lug nut and make it easier to remove.
Jack stands	These can be used to support the car while you are working on the lug nuts.

1. Pliers or Vise Grips:

Locking pliers, also known as Vise Grips, can get a tenacious grip on a damaged lug nut. The key is to clamp them tightly on the perimeter of the nut.

• Start by spraying penetrating oil onto the nut and letting it soak for 10-15 minutes to loosen rust.
• Adjust the pliers so the jaws are open wide enough to fit around the sides of the lug nut.
• Clamp tightly onto the nut, getting as much grip as possible on the nut’s edges.
• Twist counter-clockwise while squeezing firmly on the pliers’ handles.
• Reposition and re-clamp the pliers as needed to work the nut loose.

The teeth on the pliers dig into deformed sections of the lug nut, allowing you to twist it off.

2. Lug Nut Remover Socket:

Speciality lug nut remover sockets have ribs, flutes, or teeth cut into them to extract damaged nuts.

• Fit the remover socket onto the damaged nut so its flutes/teeth bite into the nut’s rounded edges.
• Attach to a ratchet or breaker bar for leverage.
• Apply steady pressure while turning counter-clockwise.
• The socket’s design should allow it to gain a tight grip on the damaged nut.
• Continue working the nut loose, taking care not to strip it further.

These sockets can be very effective on stripped, swollen, or rusted lug nuts.

3. Penetrating Oil:

Soaking the lug nut with penetrating oil can seep into seized threads and help loosen the bond.

• Spray or drip penetrating oil liberally onto the lug nut and surrounding area.
• Allow 10-15 minutes for the oil to fully soak in.
• Reapply more oil and allow another 10 minutes of penetration time.
• The oil will act as a lubricant and release any rust fusion or corrosion.
• Follow up with tight fitting pliers or one of the other lug nut removal methods.

Penetrating oils like Liquid Wrench or PB Blaster work well to unstick stubborn lug nuts. Be patient and let them soak in fully before trying to remove the nut.

4. Heat the Nut:

Heating a seized lug nut can help break down any rust fusion causing it to stick.

• Apply penetrating oil first, then heat the nut evenly with a propane torch for 2-4 minutes.
• Move the torch flame around to prevent overheating any one area as the nut expands.
• Tap lightly with a hammer as the nut heats up to further loosen the bond.
• Use thick gloves and pliers to immediately try removing the hot nut by twisting.
• The heat helps separate the nut from rust buildup on the threads.

Caution: Avoid direct flame contact with the wheel itself when heating the nut.

5. Double Nut Technique:

Putting a second nut on top of the stuck first nut provides something solid to turn against.

• Clean any dirt off the accessible part of the wheel stud.
• Tighten a second lug nut onto the stud atop the stuck nut.
• Grab the outer nut with a wrench or pliers to turn counter-clockwise.
• As you loosen the outer nut it will twist against the stuck nut and help free it.
• Once loosened enough, remove the outer nut and finish removing the original nut.

The stacked nut technique allows added turning leverage against the seized nut.

6. Hammer and Chisel:

A cold chisel and hammer can be used to fragment a damaged nut for removal.

• Create notches around the top perimeter of the nut with the chisel.
• Use the hammer to drive the chisel forcefully under the nut’s edge.
• Make multiple cuts to divide the nut into 4-6 segments.
• Once notched deeply, use a screwdriver to pry and pop off the nut sections.
• Pliers can then be used to remove any remaining pieces still stuck on the stud.

This destructive method splits off the nut for removal versus twisting it off.

7. Impact Wrench:

High torque impact wrenches can break loose even the tightest seized lug nuts.

• Use a heavy duty impact wrench with at least 150 ft-lbs of bolt loosening torque.
• Fit the largest possible impact socket onto the damaged nut.
• Set the wrench to forward (loosening) direction.
• Brace the socket against the wheel to avoid slipping.
• Trigger the impact wrench in short 2-3 second bursts while pushing into the nut.
• Allow brief pauses between trigger pulls to avoid excess heating the nut.
• The nut should begin twisting off within 10-15 seconds of impacting.

An impact wrench delivers quick, extreme torque in short bursts ideal for freeing stuck lug nuts.

8. Nut Splitter:

A specialty nut splitting tool cracks the nut in half horizontally for removal.

• Center the nut splitter’s cone tips under the nut and tighten the forcing screw.
• Tighten just until the nut slightly cracks open but does not fully separate.
• Loosen the tool and remove it, leaving the nut cracked but still on the stud.
• Finish unscrewing the fragmented nut by hand with pliers.

Nut splitters work well when traditional turning fails on very rounded or rusted in place nuts.

9. Welding:

Welding a spare nut on top of a hopelessly stuck nut can allow you to twist it off.

• Clean the exposed stud above the stuck nut as best you can.
• Weld a sacrificial nut onto the visible stud threads above the bonded nut.
• Allow the welded nut to fully cool before attempting removal.
• Use a wrench on the welded nut to turn counter-clockwise, breaking the stuck nut free.

Welding provides an extremely strong attachment point for added leverage against stubborn stuck nuts.

10. Drill and Extractor:

Drilling into the nut weakens it for extraction with a specialty tool.

• Center punch a pilot divot in the top of the nut to prevent drill wandering.
• Drill a 3/8??? hole half or two-thirds of the way down into the nut.
• Insert an extractor tool into the nut hole and tighten its screw to spread the cutter discs.
• Use a wrench to turn the extractor counter-clockwise, shearing the nut walls.
• Continue turning until the damaged nut is completely extracted.

This method destroys the nut but provides high torque extraction force when other options fail.

In summary, removing a destroyed lug nut requires equal parts patience and creativity. Always start with less destructive tactics, then escalate methods as needed.

With persistence and the right tools, even the most hopelessly stuck lug nut can eventually be defeated. Just don’t give up or resort to extreme measures too quickly!

How to Remove a Stripped Lug Nut Without an Impact Wrench?

If you find yourself with a stripped lug nut and don’t have access to an impact wrench, you can still remove it using some alternative methods. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Safety First: Ensure your vehicle is safely supported on jack stands or a sturdy car lift. Safety goggles and gloves are also recommended.
2. Penetrating Oil: Apply a penetrating oil (e.g., WD-40 or PB Blaster) to the stripped lug nut. Let it sit for at least 10-15 minutes to loosen the nut and make it easier to turn.
3. Use a Larger Socket: Find a socket that is slightly smaller than the lug nut and hammer it onto the stripped nut. The force of hammering can sometimes create enough grip for the socket to turn the nut.
4. Vice Grips or Pliers: If you can’t get a socket to grip, use a pair of vice grips or locking pliers. Clamp them onto the stripped lug nut as tightly as possible and try turning counterclockwise. Apply steady and even pressure while turning.
5. Heat (Optional): If the lug nut is particularly stubborn, you can heat it with a propane torch. Heat expands the metal, which might help loosen the nut. Be cautious not to overheat and damage the wheel or surrounding components.
6. Counter-Clockwise Force: Using a breaker bar or a long-handled wrench, apply steady, gradual force in a counterclockwise direction. Ensure that the tools you use are of good quality and in good condition to prevent them from breaking.
7. Patience: Be patient and persistent. Applying constant, gradual pressure may eventually free the stripped lug nut.
8. Impact Driver: If you can borrow or purchase an impact driver, it can be a very effective tool for removing stubborn lug nuts.
9. Professional Help: If all else fails, it’s advisable to seek professional assistance from a mechanic or auto shop to avoid damaging the wheel or lug stud further.

Can I Drill Out a Stripped Lug Nut?

Yes, you can drill out a stripped lug nut, but it should be considered a last resort because it can be a challenging and potentially damaging process.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Safety: Ensure safety precautions as mentioned above.
2. Select the Right Drill Bit: Choose a drill bit that is slightly smaller in diameter than the lug nut. It’s essential to center the drill bit accurately on the nut.
3. Drilling: Carefully drill a hole through the center of the stripped lug nut. This may take some time, and you should use low to moderate speed to avoid overheating and damaging the surrounding components.
4. Chisel or Breaker Bar: Once you’ve drilled through the nut, you can use a chisel or a breaker bar to split it open. Place the chisel or breaker bar in the hole you drilled and turn counterclockwise. This should allow you to remove the remains of the nut.
5. Replace the Lug Nut: After successfully removing the stripped lug nut, replace it with a new one to ensure the safety and integrity of your vehicle’s wheel.

Drilling out a lug nut is a last resort, and it can be challenging, so it’s always better to try other methods first.

How to Remove a Lug Nut That Is Rounded Off?

A rounded-off lug nut can be challenging to remove, but it’s not impossible. Here’s how to tackle the issue:

1. Safety: Safety measures are crucial, as previously mentioned.
2. Pliers or Vice Grips: Use locking pliers or vice grips to clamp onto the rounded lug nut as tightly as possible.
3. Penetrating Oil: Apply penetrating oil to the rounded lug nut and let it sit for about 15 minutes.
4. Tap with a Hammer: Lightly tap the pliers or vice grips in a counterclockwise direction with a hammer to create shock and vibration. This can help loosen the nut.
5. Turn Slowly: Attempt to turn the pliers or vice grips counterclockwise. Apply steady, gradual pressure while keeping them locked onto the lug nut.
6. Heat (Optional): As with a stripped lug nut, you can use a propane torch to heat the rounded nut slightly to expand the metal. Be cautious not to overheat.
7. Impact Driver: If available, use an impact driver to remove the rounded lug nut. It can provide the extra torque needed to break it free.
8. Professional Help: If all else fails, consult a professional mechanic who may have specialized tools for removing stubborn lug nuts.

How to Remove a Destroyed Lug Nut?

If the lug nut is completely destroyed or sheared off, the process becomes more complicated. Here’s what you can do:

1. Safety: Prioritize safety as always.
2. Drill and Extract: If the lug nut is sheared off flush with the surface, you may need to carefully drill a small hole into the center of the remaining stud. After drilling, use an extractor tool to grip onto the stud and turn it counterclockwise to remove it.
3. Cutting or Grinding (Last Resort): If the lug nut is significantly damaged or flush with the surface, you may need to use a cutting or grinding tool to carefully remove the stud. This is a more advanced and potentially risky method, as it can damage the wheel or surrounding components.
4. Replace the Stud: After successfully removing the destroyed lug nut and stud, replace it with a new one. Ensure it is properly torqued to manufacturer specifications.