Stuck Lug Bolts

[Kneale Brownson]

For heat to work, I think you'll have to get the hub pretty hot.  Probably
not a way to preserve the wheel finish.  You might try arc-welding
something to the bolt while shielding the wheel, but I think the heat still
will transfer some to the wheel even if you prevent spatter.  The arc weld
would heat the bolt but I'm not sure that would let it loose from the hub.

Whatever approach you use, make sure you clean the threads in the hub.  I
make it part of my annual change-over from summer to winter wheels to clean
the threads with a tap if necessary so that I can run the bolts in all the
way with my fingers.  A couple years ago I had a couple bolts shear off,
and I think that was because the hub threads were so corroded, they didn't
go all the way in even though they torqued to 80 pounds.  Heating the rim
of the hub up till it got red let me get one of the bolt ends out with an
Easy-Out, but the other one required drilling until just the threads were
left and then cleaning out with the tap.  Takes a 14X1.5.  So every other
Audi in my yard now has had its hubs reamed.   The job only takes a few
minutes extra as follow-up maintenance.  First time through on 20 holes can
be tiring.



At 02:10 PM 10/3/2006 -0400, Abe Berman wrote:
>S-Heads/Listers,
>
>On my "new to me" 96 A4 I've got a couple of lug bolts that are not
>coming off either with impact wrench or breaker bar + cheater.  I have
>soaked them in Kroil and PB Blaster as well.  Unfortunately, one of
>the lug bolts is starting to strip now from my efforts.
>
>My next thought after soaking repeatedly with Kroil over the next
>couple of days is to try applying heat from a torch, but I am nervous
>about the clear coat on the wheels.
>
>Any suggestions out there??