Help! Broken Wheel Stud

[st11x]

I broke a rear wheel stud while trying to change my brake pads. I bought a replacement at AutoPro and it's like a cm shorter. Does it matter? I'm thinking of going back to them to ask if there are other options.

However, I am having lots of difficulties trying to remove the broken stud. I have been hammering with a small hammer and whatever I can get hold of for an hour, but it just wouldn't budge. It didn't even move a little. WD40 didn't help at all.

Tomorrow, I will go buy a bigger hammer. I'm hoping it will get it out.

Any ideas? It's a 1990 BG SP.

thanks
Matthew

[st11x]

After countless hours trying differnet ways to pound at that thing, I've got a break and it finally came loose. The new stud does not protrude out from the bolt when the wheel is fitted; the other 3 do. It will tighten, but it will not
"end" and keeps allowing you to turn it clockwise.

I'd better go get a factory stud from Mazda. Do you reckon it's safe enough for me to drive around the city for a couple of days?

[twilightprotege]

gee a cm difference! not good.

yeah get a mazda one. that's a real lot of thread you're not getting to hold the wheel on any more.

i certainly wouldnt say drive around with only 3 studs, but would be marginally ok only if you have to drive. if you can afford not to drive, then dont.

[st11x]

Went to Mazda today and got the stud. Came back, tried to undo the bolt on the new stud that was fitted and by Murphy's law, the bolt is now "stuck" in some kind of free wheeling state.

I can turn a couple of rounds clockwise, then it becomes too tight. But a turn with the wrench will set it off again. Same in the anti-clockwise direction.

What can I do?

I must be low in luck these days. I was just trying to bleed my brakes in the first place!

[twilightprotege]

you need to somehow stop the stud frmo moving from behind, or somehow grind it off from behind

= DAMN HARD!

[Cosmo Dude]

I once got in behind a stud on a HQ and was able to tack weld it. It did the job but wasn't easy on the front wheel of a RWD.
I think it needs professional attention as it sounds as if the hole has been enlarged.

[st11x]

The stud and the hole looks fine. When I turn the bolt, the stud doesn't rotate. I suspect part of the threads in the bolt/stud might be gone.

Read about nut breaker. Wonder if that will work. Drill seems a little too close for comfort as the fuel tank is nearby.

[project.r.racing]

What cosmo dude said is right, go get professional help if needed. It sounds like you have striped the threading on the bolt. You will need a new bolt!

And you can drive around on 3 bolts, just don't drive your car hard.

[st11x]

Thanks guys, yeah I think I will and should go seek a professional. I have been wasting too much time doing this ... worse I haven't even bled the brakes that I set out to do.

thanks for the advice.

Matt

[geetee]

try getting a mate to push the wheel off from behind with his foot while you turn the nut. might catch a thread and enable you to remove it.
obviously you`ll have to make sure the car is safely supported!!!! :wink:
if i was you i would just change the hub.
how are the studs fitted anyway? heated interference fit?
and how the hell did you manage to break a stud while trying to bleed the brakes!!!!! :roll: :wink:

[geetee]

ok, i just had a look at an old hub i`ve got lying in the shed.
the stud has splines on it where it grips the hole in the hub.
so i would say the hub is heated with a torch which expands it slightly and you have to tap or press the old stud out and then tap a new one in.
then it`ll cool down and shrink, therefore gripping the stud in the hub.
or something........
there again, maybe not!!!!! :lol:

good luck :wink:

[st11x]

heh heh ... my brake pads are squealing, so I thought I might as well have a look at it. I started with the rear wheel behind the driver seat; that was a mistake as I should have started with the other rear wheel so that I can start bleeding immediately.

Anyway, after cleaning the pads, I was trying to put back the wheel when one of the bolt started to act funny as it kept turning and turning. Then all of the sudden, it snapped!

I spent Saturday and Sunday hammering at it, each time ended up with ideas to remove more stuffs. Even tried to remove the hub cap so that I can remove the hub, but it's even harder!

Then when I was about to give up, my wife came along and gave it a good bash. Out it came!! Luck be a lady! ;-)