Need wheel lugs on flexwing mower

[Richard]

Took the hub off yesterday and took it with me so yes.... just a matter of removing it

(was jam packed with grease I was happy to see!)

There was no 'tapping' on the stud. I had a (I forget) maybe 5 pound hammer and was taking some good licks on the studs (no nut on opposite side trying to pull them in)

They just laughed at me. They ALL stopped about the same height without fully seating.

Makes me wonder if I needed to get the next size smaller (I have no idea of the increments they are sized)

 

[WranglerX]

You should not have listened to counter jockey a AP, he probably has not ever changed out a stud in his life... The make calipers and give exact specification for a reason... Its sort of round peg in square hole theory...

Over time stud will probably pull in and seat , BUT be very careful as if you don't keep eye on them and don't keep them tight it will probably ruin stud, hub and wheel as they try to seat through tension and wear.... And then it will get really expensive....

Dale

 

[Richard]

I get what you're saying.

As it happened though, he was the store manager....said it was lucky (for me) that he was the one helping me because he used to work at (and went on a 5 minute conversation about his experience with wheel studs specifically....)

Got some dial calipers (digital to measure the widths) and pulled their book out.

Started ruling "those" out....and "these couple" as a possible.... measured again....weeded it down and said "this is my best bet given you should oversize it a bit....because if I sold you the stock size, it would be reamed out slightly when the old ones are removed....so you need to oversize just a bit"

I would have NEVER thought of that angle until I tried it.

Well, as it happened, I DID try it. He had to order them so I said do so. I went to next store who had some (exact fit) and when I drove home, they flopped in AND right back out.

Seems the hole was slightly larger because of the first studs going in/out!!! so he was 100% right on that part.

 

[Richard]

The rest of the story...

Got some grade 8 washers (3) and put them on prior to the nut. Used my impact driver with one hand to tighten them while with my other hand, pounded on the head of the bolt.

Got them all driven in although the method still wore me out!!

This was the tire on my outermost position (on the folding wing of a 15' mower).

When I was putting them together, I noticed that I had two more flats, these were in the middle section where I couldn't hydraulically raise them.

cursed/dug around, got my hydraulic (car) jack under the mower lip and raised enough to pull both tires off. Took several days to get them back.

Once back, decided to replace THOSE studs/nuts too (intent is to replace studs/nuts for all 6 wheels)

Got my tires on.....noticed that I had yet ANOTHER flat (mower had six dry-rotted tires when I bought it so I knew I'd be replacing them and now seems to be that time)

I pulled the last tire off.... but can't get it to shop for while... what to do? I know.... I'll replace the studs/nuts that are holding it on and put a newly fixed tire there and move the current dry-rotted tire out to the flex-wing so I can hoist it as needed!

So I had to play some musical chairs with the tires to get it to work but got it moved. Aired it up and it's holding air so it must have a slow leak.

I'll get it soon!!!

Oh, and it turns out I only bought FIVE tires worth of studs/nuts..... so I need to go back and buy another set for the sixth wheel.