How to remove rusted lug nuts

Joe W.

Member
I just bought an old running gear and need to remove all the wheels. The wheels haven't been removed in decades so the lug nuts are rusted to the wheels. I'm afraid that if I use a lug wrench with a breaker bar I could break the bolts. I'm sure I will be replacing the wheel bearings and cups so heat could be an option but my propane torch, which in the past, has not proven to be hot enough to warm up anything heavier than sheet metal. Any suggestions on how to remove the lug nuts without breaking the bolts will be appreciated.
 
Continuous applications of PB Blaster might do it. Try to work them back and forth with a socket and breaker bar every now and then.
 
I would use an acetylene torch and heat them red hot. Use a six point socket so you don't round off the lug nuts.
Hal
 
Go old pump oil can full of ATF does a great job on stuff like that. Used it today on a brake job I was doing and with out it I would still be at the first one of the 2 brakes I did. Heat them up and then pour on the ATF and let cool and add a bit more
 
If you use any kind of heat, apply candle wax as it cools...penetrates the threads to loosen. Propane torch might work....I"ve loosened spark plugs with just engine heat, where they were inaccessible to a torch. Might need more than one application.
 
I have at times drilled two holes across from each other and pounded in a centerpunch, splitting the nut with no damage to the stud or wheel. Be sure to chase the stud threads and grease them With anti sieze
 

If you're going to play around with old machinery, an oxy-acetylene torch is a very wise investment. It simply makes life a whole lot easier.
 
If a Oxy/Ac torch isn't in the budget right now, get a bottle of MAPP gas (yellow cylinder).
It burns a couple hundrend degrees hotter.
Do your best to heat just the nut and not the bolt.
Wire brush the threads above the nut. I have never used Kroll but know P.B.Blaster is good.
ATF isn't just for transmissions any more. As another poster said, heat, apply ATF, (and most importantly) give it TIME to work.
As backwards as it sounds, try to snug them up just a little, add more ATF/Kroll/Blaster, more time.
If using impact gun just 'tap' it backwards, forward, backward, ECT. Same if using a breaker bar.
If they are that rusty it may take a few hours (days) of work.
Taking your time is frustrating but it really is your friend in this case.
 
Thank you to all for the good advice. Looks like I will be applying heat, then ATF and/or PB Blaster which I have both, nudging, repeating and waiting. I'll do it.
 
Hey Joe, before you start using heat, soak them with pb blaster or better yet, Zepreserve. Then just use an impact wrench. You can break them with a breaker bar, but the impact tends to free up things that would otherwise break.
 
(reply to post at 08:47:34 04/02/15)
ey Joe,also before you use anything on them whack them on the bolt head with a hammer or put a flat head bar in an air chisel against the bolt,sometimes helps break the rust bond between the bolt and nut!Worth tryin first,still wont come loose,it's time to get the smoke wrench out!javascript:emoticon(':D')
 

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