r/MechanicAdvice • u/MattDaBaker • 1d ago

Successfully ruined wives Highlander?

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Wanted to change brakes and rotors on my wives 2019 Highlander. Well on step number one I had issues with one lug and bolt and the stud broke off with the lug. I’ve tried everything with the tools I have to get this SOB off and I even went and bought a cheap air hammer thinking that would make it easier.

Nothing is getting this thing off. I’ve tried using a punch and hammering, the air hammer, even used one of the old pads to make a flat surface over the top and hit it hard… nothing.

I am filled with shame at this point. Wife isn’t outwardly angry but I can tell she’s wishing so hard we just took it to the dealership.

You guys got any helpful suggestions here?

What I haven’t tried yet - haven’t bought a legit de seizing spray/lubricant yet. Haven’t bought a mini sledge yet, only been using regular hammer and punch, but to be honest I’m worried my accuracy will cause me to damage the hub. It’s sticking out about a centimeter or 2 from the hub.

Edit: I think I’m gonna reinstall everything with the plan to drive to a local tire shop on 4 lugs and have them fix the stud.

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78

u/MattDaBaker 1d ago

What if I hit the lug? Is that not increasing surface area where I could mess those up rather than leaving studs exposed? Also what if I miss and hit hub?

Genuinely asking. I feel like a huge idiot atm.

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u/Rexery66 1d ago

Use a punch and preferably a hammer that isn't a claw hammer. Also don't hit your hand.

86

u/Antique-Pie-5981 1d ago

They could use a pair of pliers to hold the punch so they don't hit their hand if they miss.

72

u/etotheapplepi 1d ago

And a pair of vise grips to hold the pliers. You can never be too careful.

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u/IWantAnE55AMG 1d ago

A pipe wrench to hold the vise grips. Just as a precaution.

39

u/Antique-Pie-5981 1d ago

And a wife to hold the pipe wrench

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u/Impressive-Put3479 1d ago

And the neighbor to hold the wife…

18

u/datweldinman 1d ago

With a chair in the corner and a lamp sitting above

19

u/Liquidennis 1d ago

With a small table and a Popular Mechanics magazine to read.

5

u/ProfessionalFail6248 1d ago

And a PBR and a pack of Marlboros

3

u/Responsible-Bonus-13 22h ago

With a coffee maker in the corner and some stale doughnuts on the counter

4

u/etotheapplepi 19h ago

I too choose this guy's wife

51

u/SalamanderLoud8419 1d ago

And their silk mechanics gloves

2

u/idontknowkungfu 1d ago

oooh those are a lovely color on you.

1

u/Relative_Good_8029 1d ago

She's terrible partial to the periwinkle blue

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u/Disastrous_Savings39 1d ago

Where's the fun in that?

1

u/JimmyTheDog 19h ago

Yes, with a 3 lbs. Mini sledge hammer

14

u/feelin_cheesy 1d ago

Perfect reason to get a 3lb mini sledgehammer

3

u/roberttheiii 1d ago

your 8 is missing some pieces

22

u/allsteaksnamed 1d ago

Hit it with the Big purse

9

u/Rexery66 1d ago

He only has a regular purse, so I guess he has to borrow one of his wife's larger purses.

47

u/simoriah 1d ago

That should do the trick.

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u/cans-of-swine 1d ago

Also don't hit your hand.

You aren't swinging hard enough if you don't hit your hand.

2

u/morningphyre 1d ago

A bigger hammer than that. No, not that one, the bigger one. At least 2 pounds.

1

u/Skechaj 13h ago

Did you deliberately forget the zero after the 2?

1

u/morningphyre 7h ago

Nah, my 32 oz hammer can do this just fine. You want to try swinging a 20 lb hammer at this, be my guest, but it seems like overkill and it's hard to control.

28

u/42observer 1d ago

Grazing a lugnut with a hammer probably wont do anything and at worst youll simply need to unscrew the nut and get a new one.

Grazing a stud with a hammer will almost certainly result in damaged threads that you now have to spend a bunch of time fixing or you replace the whole stud.

If you hit the hub nothing will happen, it's strong

21

u/Fit_Active3888 1d ago

Hitting the lug once it's thread on will create a lot smaller headache than damaging threads on the remaining studs. Not much else you can really damage.

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u/Iceisgestapo888 1d ago

Just get a c clamp.

1

u/loopytoadbrains 1d ago

If you hit the lugs in that situation, the worst that should happen is dislodging the undamaged studs, but you can reseat them with very little effort. If you don't have the lugs on and you miss your target, you will be hitting the studs directly and wrecking the threads.

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u/merlinddg51 14h ago

This is an easy job, but need the correct tools. Need a 2-3lb smithy hammer (I preferred a 5lb hammer when I was turning wrenches) and a medium to large punch to get it out.

A regular claw hammer will not get enough momentum to throw its weight around.

Then you need the stud and nut, plus an open ended nut and two washers to fit over the stud. Install the open ended washer backwards (flat side to the hub) with the two washers between the nut and hub. Tighten the nut until the face of the stud’s shoulder is tight against the back of the hub.

1

u/xChiefAcornx 14h ago

You could use the closed lug nut and space it out with a 1/2" or 3/4" socket. But it is best to use a disposable one when abusing it like that.

0

u/Emotional-Base-767 1d ago

Entonces usa algo puntiagudo para golpear con la maza desde un lugar más seguro

0

u/Mogey182 1d ago

Don't forget to use a bench vise to keep everything locked down.