Rusty Nuts (work safe) Help!

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The Magnificent Seven
Oct 16, 2005
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I went to start on the brakes today on the truck, couldn't get the lugnuts to budge. I'm using a 3/4 inch drive 18 inch t bar and an 1 1/2 inch socket. I've soaked these things with PB Blaster all night and they still won't move, even with heat and tapping. I can stand on the end of the 18 inch handle (effectively an 18 inch breaker bar) and bounce up and down with still no movement. here's the catch: i've got to keep these wheel studs and nuts useable. no clue where to find new ones, and if there are new sets, im sure they cost an arm and a leg.

would an impact driver help? would any other kind of lube help? anything you guys could suggest that'll help me get my nuts off?

edit: how about heating the nut with an oxy torch? ive heard of heating the stud then pouring water over it to cool it down and shrink it just a tad, but you guys think this will weaken the stud?

cliffs: big truck, stuck nuts, help me get em off.
 
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The Magnificent Seven
Oct 16, 2005
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goin to the hardware store tomorrow for some substantial pipe. ive already got the biggest muscles they carry (bpu+++) and it still isnt doing the trick.

as for busting a nut, lets try to keep this option closed for the time being.
 

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The Magnificent Seven
Oct 16, 2005
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wtf jdub...she hasn't even taken the hubcaps off yet. how do you even expect her to get a tire iron in there?

any other ideas?
 

jdub

Official SM Expert: Motor Oil, Lubricants & Fil
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Feb 10, 2006
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Impact wrench...a 500-600 ft/lb number ;)




Sorry man...couldn't resist on the "kick in the nuts"
LOL...:biglaugh:
 

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The Magnificent Seven
Oct 16, 2005
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salright. how much do those impact wrenches run, and do they make em in 3/4 drive or is there a 1/2 - 3/4 adapter available?
 

jdub

Official SM Expert: Motor Oil, Lubricants & Fil
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Feb 10, 2006
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Pretty expensive...the 1/2" Porter Cable (500 ft/lb) is about $110...the 3/4" (800 ft/lb) is about $190.

Check with your local Auto Zone and see if they have a lender impact...of course you will need an air compressor ;)

Keep in mind, you "might" twist the wheel stud off...course that probably doesn't matter due to the rust.
 

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The Magnificent Seven
Oct 16, 2005
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might be able to borrow one from somebody.

so far the plan is to go to the hardware store tomorrow and pick up some pipe, and rent a friend so he'll pull as i push. maybe we can bust a nut together!

or i could just get the impact wrench.

whats anyone think of using heat/cold to loosen it?
 

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The Magnificent Seven
Oct 16, 2005
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whats anyone think of putting the floor jack under my breaker bar and use that to apply pressure?
 

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The Magnificent Seven
Oct 16, 2005
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yeah, already checked. surprised the hell out of me when i saw that one. however, i cant get my nuts to budge either way. i hate stuck, oily nuts.
 

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The Magnificent Seven
Oct 16, 2005
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so heat the nut, slap the wrench on and start turning. this won't weaken my studs to the point of concern, would it?