Frozen lug bolts

[sailorman]

On a 1973 small Tag -A - Long travel trailer. All 4 lug bolts on one wheel are frozen. Theses are not lug nuts that go on studs . They are bolts that actually screw into holes. So far I have tried wd40, liquid wrench soaking and a 3 foot extension pipe for leverage on tire iron along with light hammer taping on bolt heads. I can not tow it to a tire place due to a bad tire that I wouldn 't trust on even a 1/4 mile drive. I fear snapping bolt head off leaving remainder forever screwed in the hole. Suggestions ?

 

[kebo]

Tried an impact wrench yet??? Can you see the ends of the bolts from the backside of the hub?? If you can, squirt more penetrating fluid from that direction, if you haven't already done so. Sometimes trying to work them backwards and forwards will help break them free.

 

[sailorman]

Tried an impact wrench yet??? Can you see the ends of the bolts from the backside of the hub?? If you can, squirt more penetrating fluid from that direction, if you haven't already done so. Sometimes trying to work them backwards and forwards will help break them free.

Don 't own an impact wrench or know anyone who does. Bolts don 't go through to the back side. I forgot about the backward/forward thing and will try that.

 

[CharlieS]

you might try pulling the wheel, hub and all, pull the seal and bearings out and put some heat to the hub around the bolts. not enough to get it red hot or warp the hub.
worst case scenerio will be break the bolt heads off to salvage the wheel, and replace the hub. In any case, be sure to replace the bolts as they'll be torque stressed, and use a little anti-sieze when reinstalling.

Also, are they perhaps left hand threads? if so loosen/tighten would be backwards from normal.

 

[Jim Thompson]

Can't you remove the entire wheel and hub assembly. Just jack it up and place a jack stand under it for safety purposes. Then remove the grease cap from the hub, remove the cotter pin and unscrew the retaining nut. Then take it to the tire shop for repair.:thumbsup:

Jim

 

[jbarker855]

Taking the whole assembly to tire shop is an idea, but you'd pay dearly for their time. Mounting a tire to a rim without being able to mount the thing on any kind of tire machine would be a challenge, but do-able.
I read an article that said a 50-50 mix of acetone and auto transmission fluid was the best penetrating oil. This was tried against many other penetrating oils, and reportedly this mix worked the best.
Good luck.
-Jay

 

[/pine]

There is a solution 50/50 acetone and ATF that is supposed (tested proof) to be about 70X more effective in penetrating and loosening frozen bolts...

a torch usually does the trick if it can be used without any dangers...like heating a wheel with a tire mounted (never do that)

there are threads on both the topic of penetrants and the dangers of heating mounted wheels if anyone is interested in searching for them...

 

[thatguy]

by chance.. are they left hand nuts???

just a thought

 

[sailorman]

CharlieS and Jim nice catch on removing the whole shabang. That will be the next thing I try if a good over night soak doesn 't help.

Charlie, if I break bolts off in holes, I doubt I would be able to find a replacement hub as this on is a real weird design. Axle isn 't even centered on hub and the whole rig was built in 1973. Way out of production even for replacement parts. Not even sure I can get lug bolts unless standards haven 't changed since 1973. Not a left handed thread 'cause I was able to get other weel off no problem. Unless they are lefties on one side and righties on the other. Has anything ever been made that way ?

Jim, can a tire place actually mount a tire on a wheel that also has the hub on it ? I guess even if they could I 'd be in trouble if I got a flat and had to change it. Bolts would still be frozen. Or did you suggest that in order for them to be able to use an impact wrench without me towing trailer ? If they have to use impact wrench to get hub off, then I run the risk of bolts snapping. But, I may have no choice in the matter.

 

[sailorman]

There is a solution 50/50 acetone and ATF that is supposed (tested proof) to be about 70X more effective in penetrating and loosening frozen bolts...

a torch usually does the trick if it can be used without any dangers...like heating a wheel with a tire mounted (never do that)

there are threads on both the topic of penetrants and the dangers of heating mounted wheels if anyone is interested in searching for them...

I might try that also. No danger I think 'cause I would let all air out of tire before torching. But, isn 't wd40 and liquid wrench flammable ? I 've sprayed a lot of that and suppose I 'd have to get that cleaned off good. I 've got another wheel with new tire mounted to put on. Need to get the old tire and wheel off to replace tire and use for spare.

 

[flyingcow]

Well, if you have the hub off and they broke 'em off, be easier to drill and tap the threads back out?

A little heat in the right spot will do wonders. Smoke wrench.

 

[sailorman]

Maybe if I can get the whole thing off I will be able to spray back side of bolts from inside of hub to free them up. Ya think ?

 

[Wis Bang]

Removing the entire hub assembly may just expose the back side of the bolts so you can spray 'em. Any tire service that handles big trucks & tractors should have hand irons and know how to use them to change a tire w/ out using the machine. Machines are just faster.

Try P B Blaster, it works!

If that works, re-pack the hub w/ more grease and re-install. Remember to snug the bearing and back off a hair so you don't burn up the bearing by not having any end-play...

 

[CharlieS]

Charlie, if I break bolts off in holes, I doubt I would be able to find a replacement hub as this on is a real weird design. Axle isn 't even centered on hub and the whole rig was built in 1973. Way out of production even for replacement parts. Not even sure I can get lug bolts unless standards haven 't changed since 1973. Not a left handed thread 'cause I was able to get other weel off no problem. Unless they are lefties on one side and righties on the other. Has anything ever been made that way ?

Its quite possible that right hand threads were used on one side, and left hand on the other. The theory being if a lug is a bit loose, tire rotation will keep it from spinning off. Of course it may not be the case on you're trailer but worth checking. Usually the lugs will be marked with an L in the center of the bolt or stud.
I've seen this on various pickups and trailers through the years, in fact our current camping trailer has left hand lugs on one side. With Semi's its the norm for reasons stated above.

 

[deerhunterf350]

Funny you posted "Frozen" lug bolts.

There is a product that I have seen at Grainger. I don't recall the exact name of the product, but it is a Lubricant / Freezing agent. It states that the extreme/quick freeze of the frozen item breaks loose the rust. Then capilary action draws in a lubricant deep in the rusted threads.

Does anyone know the exact name of the product????

 

[sailorman]

Its quite possible that right hand threads were used on one side, and left hand on the other.
>snipped
Usually the lugs will be marked with an L in the center of the bolt or stud.

Charlie you da man !!!!!! Sure enough, I went out and looked. Clear as day on bolt heads an R on the side I got off with no trouble and an L on the side I couldn 't !! 62 years on this planet and I feel about as stupid as I ever have felt. Of course I also feel like a genius for comin' to the right place for answers !!! Popped one loose just to see. Came off like I 'd used ky.

And big thanks to everyone else who gave me great suggests. I 'm sure I 'll be able to use them at some other time of stupidity. TBN members rule !!!

 

[bullbreaker]

Tried an impact wrench yet??? Can you see the ends of the bolts from the backside of the hub?? If you can, squirt more penetrating fluid from that direction, if you haven't already done so. Sometimes trying to work them backwards and forwards will help break them free.

Sailorman/Kebo/TBN folks
Quick story, ran into simular situation but lug nuts did have to spin off towards left to get off.On an old Bota I had buddy of mine comes out with his mobile tire repair truck.Hit lug nuts with impact(air) no go.I go to shop get manual impact from Sears whack each lug nut.Try air impact again they spun rite off.:thumbsup:
Boone
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...Specialty+Tools&sbf=Brand&sbv=Craftsman&mv=tr