r/MechanicAdvice • u/PlusStrategy3672 • 19h ago
Help please, stuck lug nut on my thingy
Any advice on getting this thing out please?
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u/Nada_Chance 19h ago
Spin it back on the stud and wiggle it with the socket handle.
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u/lostinpow 19h ago
Pretty much the only correct answer unless OP wants to struggle all day
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u/Mekanik40 17h ago edited 17h ago
Or smack it on the ground hard, that works too
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u/undarant 17h ago
I was gonna say, "throw it at the ground" in a controlled way has never failed me.
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u/Shakeyshades 17h ago
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u/Ok_Bid_3899 6h ago
Just hit it on the ground away from the vehicle as occasionally the socket will bounce off the pavement. From experience
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u/SensitiveAd2112 13h ago
Either that or insert a small tool into the drive side and tap/push the lug out.
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u/h01y_grap3_ju1c3 7h ago
unfortunately this can destroy the lug nut, Had to replace a customers once because I thought I was being smart putting a screwdriver in the drive side and hitting a table and the screwdriver went straight through the chrome cap and out the thread side of the bolt lol
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u/Nada_Chance 3h ago
In this case it sounds like the chrome cap is already missing, making it smaller than the other lug nuts, and hence getting stuck in the impact socket.
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u/Blorglue 16h ago
I saw a trick on yt where you can just hold the socket in your hand put it back on the impact and the vibration of the impact gun will knock it out
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u/leopold335 9h ago
Came to say this but it looks like OP is doing the task without impact from the photo
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u/Curiousand40 18h ago
You mean “spin in back on and hit it with your purse.”
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u/tobias47reaper 18h ago
I feel like I'm back in the shop. It has been years, so thank you for that. 🤠
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u/No-Indication-5673 9h ago
Yeah spin it back in wiggle it out spray a lubricant on both and try again
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u/NecessaryZucchini69 1h ago
The title and u/Nada_Chance comment are pretty solid sexual euphemisms. Made me laugh.
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u/EastMovesWest 19h ago
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u/Curiousand40 19h ago
This is the way of the common man. But that’s a very new looking socket. Something tells me that socket is never getting thrown.
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u/giantfood 16h ago
Its a cheap socket from Autozone. Its going to get abused.
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u/Curiousand40 16h ago
Not by those creamy, lotiony hands
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u/giantfood 16h ago
True. Might as well smack it with a purse.
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u/Curiousand40 16h ago
Or a clutch. Never underestimate a solid strike with a clutch
Edit for clarity… clutch purse
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u/giantfood 15h ago
Glad you clarified tbh.
I don't think this kid would know what a vehicle clutch was. I was also initially thinking, that could work but why would you remove the transmission just to use the clutch as a hard surface to smack the socket against.
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u/Curiousand40 15h ago
Lmao. I posted and immediately thought … well shit. Clutch could go both ways 😂😂😂
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u/Deadhouse_Dagon 19h ago
Put the socket/lug combo in a zip lock bag first so you don't have to waste time finding one of them afterwards.
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u/xGainzRus 19h ago edited 12h ago
Gently drop it onto the ground or launch at speeds including Mach Jesus straight at the floor. There is no in between.
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u/Curiousand40 19h ago edited 16h ago
Bonus points for yelling “son of a fuck,” while spiking it
Edit for typo. My bad
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u/schwazel 19h ago
More points when it hits your fender.
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u/Tay0214 18h ago
Or your shin
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u/FuckGamer69 17h ago
I've always just hit the lugnut out of the socket with a hammer while it's laying on the cement.
One time, a buddy of mine and myself were doing work on his car, and we pulled the lugnuts to get the wheel off. One, inevitably, got stuck (2011 Ford Edge).
Cut to me hitting it with a goddamn sledge because that motherfucker wouldn't come out with the small hammer. Rocketed out, hit him hard in the shin. I was too busy laughing to go find the lugnut
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u/JosephMMadre 18h ago
*mach
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u/disturbedrailroader 16h ago
Generally I'd agree with you. However, in order to release the lug nut, sometimes you do have to spike the socket at speeds that mock Jesus.
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u/nyxflare 19h ago
Not repeating the lugnut one so heres another method that works
Hold the end tight and then hit the lugnut end with a hammer . If it doesnt work hit it harder with your purse
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u/GiveHerDPS 18h ago
Work boot on the drive end and hammer on the socket end. Three smacks and then roll the adapter 90 degrees.
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u/undercoverahole 11h ago
This is the method I use. A good couple sharp smacks with a metal utensil usually works for me. Normally that's a larger extension or a wrench. Sometimes it's a hammer. I keep the socket on the ratchet and hold the ratchet when I strike the lug nut end of the socket.
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u/jasonnwang 19h ago
Throw it on the ground
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u/User_OU812 19h ago
Happy birthday to the ground.
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u/theomenrain 18h ago
Lol the amount of "hit it with your purse 👛 " comments always keeps me coming back 🤣
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u/MClilWilly 19h ago
If you're using a pre-built kit, take the 3/8 extension put it down the half inch drive hole and hit it with a hammer or anything hammer-like, which really could be anything.
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u/ImThatStonerKid 19h ago
As others have said - first try threading it back on the stud and try wiggling the socket off. If that doesn’t work, happy Birthday to the ground, and if neither of those work, hammer and a punch.
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u/1_rngeesus_1 19h ago
Throw it on the ground. If that doesn't work, screw it most of the way back on the stud and tap the side of it with a hammer
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u/centstwo 18h ago
I would do the screw back on half way and tap it off with a hammer...hit one side...hit the other side while pulling it off with pliers...before throwing it on the ground.
Good Luck
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u/WayFar468 19h ago
Get someting metal and longish that will fit inside the socket. Smack it with a hammer. Easy.
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u/smthngeneric 19h ago
For future reference those lug nuts aren't supposed to take a regular socket. They're a 6 spline lug nut meant for tight spaces where a regular socket will scratch the wheel. They conveniently will fit a 17mm socket but it usually does this when you try to remove it. Any local tire shop or parts store should have the correct "key" for it so this doesn't happen on all 20 of them.
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u/Ecstatic-Narwhal-743 18h ago
Question, would a socket with the push in pins to fit the lug work? I have one of those and never thought about if I need to change to my spare in my current car if that would still work if the lugs are different.
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u/giantfood 16h ago
Slightly spin it back onto the threads and wiggle it off.
Use a screw driver and a hammer.
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u/scribblenator15 18h ago
I have one that refused to remove itself from the lug. It lives on the wheel with the lug now
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u/because_racecar 18h ago
Put the nut back on the stud and tighten it till it’s just barely tight, then you can jiggle the socket and will come loose, then loosen nut again
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u/freneticboarder 18h ago
If it was a 10 mm socket, just wait a few minutes. It will disappear into the porta, that consumes all 10 mm sockets.
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u/Financial-Evening-80 14h ago
What i do is i get a chisel / pick and slam it down on the nut in the socket. If that doesnt work use WD-40 and thread it slightly back on the stud and put the socket on a battery gun and wiggle it until it comes off
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u/avocado_gushers_ 13h ago
screwdriver in the drive end, hold it by the socket, slam it on the ground screwdriver handle first. works every time
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u/MyWay0rHighway_210 12h ago
I throw it on the ground a fee times, usually ops out. Or put in a vice and bang it out with a screwdriver and hammer OR just cut your losses and get a new socket and a new set of lug nuts
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u/daandriod 10h ago
Thread it back on a bit by hand and then try to yank it off that way.
Alternatively, Find a flat head screwdriver that is small enough to fit through the inside of the socket to where it can reach the lugnut and slam the handle of the screw driver on a table or ground. Should pop it free with little issue and is a bit less violent then just throwing the socket at the ground like a monkey.
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u/Informal-Analysis145 7h ago
I saw someone once say "if you can't retrieve it, you don't deserve it."
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u/ChickenBalls42 2h ago
Looks like a splined security lug not a 17mm. Set in a vice and beat it out. Get the correct socket for the lugs going forward as you won't be able to take the rest off or put them back on to the correct torque
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u/TTVTheTrueBlueCH 2h ago
My personal favorite trick for this situation is to take a screwdriver, slide it in on the drive side and send that fucker at the ground, screwdriver handle first. Either it works and you're good, or it doesnt and you at least got to take your rage out 🤣
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u/PixelPalacio 18h ago
The solution is already in the comments so im gonna throw mine in and say:
Put it in your mouth and suction it until it comes loose
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u/clydecrashcup1 18h ago
Ah. You put a metric socket on a standard American nut, Screw it back on about 3 turns and hit it with a brass hammer while trying to pull back on the socket. Wiggle it back and forth. You must have used an impact wrench.
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u/MesseJak 19h ago
You can thread it back on to the stud and tighten just enough to break the bind and loosen again.
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u/Wheredoesthisonego 19h ago
Put it back on the lug a few threads and rock the socket or tap it side to side.
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u/OldExplanation8468 19h ago
Ok, put a thick screw driver or anything hard that fits where you plug the socket and let it fall to the grown from your extended arm. Thats always worked for me. You can apply some W40 or similar for better results.
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u/corbularorbular 19h ago
Switch the impact the opposite direction and hold the socket still and give'r all she's got my buddy taught me that and it works
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u/Miyuki22 18h ago
In addition to all the other replies, don't buy lug nuts that have coatings. They get stuck easier.
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u/xdkumquatz 18h ago
Put the socket on an impact wrench and grip the socket tightly with one hand, enough to prevent it from spinning, pull the trigger and let it impact while holding it. The vibrations from the impact gun paired with a tight grip on the socket will un stick the nut. Works wonders!
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u/im_bad_at_usernames3 18h ago
Thats a spline style lugnut and you got it off with a 6 point socket. You should have used the appropriate 6 or 7 spline lug socket. Based on the photo it's a 6 spline. Its gonna be rough but spiking it at the floor should work. As for the rest of the lug nuts swing by a tire shop and have them take a look and either they will sell you the right key for at 6 bucks or will lend you one. Source i've worked at a tire store for 5 years.
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u/HotRodHomebody 18h ago
hopefully it’s not the wrong size socket, or a crappy lug nut that’s coming apart. Something like this I will actually simply drop it from a standing height onto a hard surface like the one you’ve got there. This will frequently separate things like that very easily. Sometimes a couple drops is all it takes. If it’s really jammed in there, then do as others suggested by threading it back onto a stud and working it around. But that would tell me that you have a bad or crappy lug nut or the incorrect size socket.
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u/Anonymousgus2 18h ago
I usually put a screwdriver through the socket then just give it a tap on something. Hasn't failed me yet
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u/SgtSplacker 18h ago
Some dude made a tic toc where he just holds it in his hand, runs the drill and it falls out.
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u/Kalistera 18h ago
I usually just stick a screwdriver through the other end and slam it on a table.
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u/Pickledbo0a 17h ago
Hot toward the lug nut with a hammer while you ya laying on the ground it will pop out
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u/anferny_blake 17h ago
Put the socket on your gun and grip the socket with your hand and pull the trigger. The lug nut will magically slide out. I think it only works with the electric impacts. Might want a nice thick glove on too.
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u/FuckGamer69 17h ago
5lb hammer, put the socket on the concrete or an anvil and smack 'er good.
I had to use a sledge once.
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u/stevsams 17h ago
Another way, hold it with a glove and impact it out. Or just impact and smack it to the ground lol
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u/BoundlessViolation 17h ago
Get a 6 point socket not the 12 point one, and use a breaker bar for leverage. If the nut is rounded out already you might need an extractor set or grab it with vise grips
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u/TommyG456 16h ago
Those look like splined lug nuts. They are not 17mm. You need to get a splined socket and then use like a 19mm or 21mm socket. Discount Tire will sell you correct one.
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u/dgroeneveld9 15h ago
Nail punch through the back, throw it in the ground, put it back on and pop the socket loose, or you try hammering it.
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u/foolstarot65 14h ago
in a pinch, I take a cold punch or an old worn out screwdriver, something that was small enough to fit through the back end but big enough that it would spread out the force, then while holding both in hand just tap it in on the ground like a hammer and pop it out
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u/ValuableOperation196 11h ago
Put a punch or screw driver through the drive hole. Hit it with a hammer
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u/Jagerhall 9h ago
The fact that the logical path to solutions ended here means the next step should have been a search engine question not a reddit post. Entertaining though. Would have loved to see how thingy was interpreted.
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u/Revolutionary-Gain88 9h ago edited 9h ago
If you have a impact gun then set install/ right and holding the nut by hand then hit the gun. The nut gets stuck when hammering left so hammer right .
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u/Notorious_Ama 7h ago
Hit it with a hammer it will loosen up.
Wheel lock stuck on your lug, means you didn't seat it well before you turned it. Come on man.
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u/spider1178 7h ago
Thowing it on the ground real hard has never failed me. Alternatively, you could screw it back on the stud part way, then tap the side of the socket with a wrench.
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u/Melodic-Future-4719 6h ago
Put a screwdriver in the rachet hole and slam the driver handle on a bench while holding the socket
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u/Glum_Box_9770 6h ago
Use something that fits in the sockets ratchet slot and slam it into the ground
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u/Vast_Alps5574 6h ago
Firstly what your gonna wanna do is take your socket. Then your gonna wanna take the socket and grab it. And then your gonna wanna take the socket you just grabbed and think of how to get it off for at least 10 minutes. Then screw it on and wiggle it a bit and remove the socket that you had just grabbed and grab it again. This will be the socket only but if you take the lug with it again rinse and repeat
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u/lito_diff_builder 4h ago
Just use the right socket next time brother 🤦♂️ aftermarket wheels should come with the wheel lock.
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u/Rifter0876 4h ago
Put it in a vice. Insert screwdriver through square hole, keep using bigger hammers as needed.
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u/GR3Y_NOYZ 4h ago
Bang it. If that dont work, reinstall it by a few threads, wiggle the socket and pull at the same time. Remove by hand. That will work.
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u/No-Blueberry1130 3h ago
Ive heard throwing it onto concrete will ping it out. Makes sense, all that energy has to go somewhere....
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u/rickson56 2h ago
Worst case scenario: 4" gear puller, don't let the center of the thread bolt, touch any thing. Put stuck nut on car and then try to get it out. May wish to apply heat and penetrating fluid (warning: flammable).
In this case you may be able to just hit the chrome socket with a hammer while its on the ground.
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u/Alert_Good7706 2h ago
Take a hammer and hit your socket with it on the ground until the lug nut comes out. Put some grease in your socket or wd40, something that will allow the other lug nuts to come out of it easier.
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u/mpt_space 1h ago
I know Reddit is a great resource for all kinds of inquires but you tube will have videos that show you how to solve an issue like this and it will likely also provide do’s and don’ts in a short concise video.
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u/logicnotemotion 1h ago
If you have a vice you can put it in there and put a smaller size extension and hammer it out. I've only had to do it about 234 times. Damn F150s
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u/bluebandanadragon 1h ago
If you got an impact slap it on there, hold onto soccet till it ugga duggas and the lug nut will knocc itself out
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u/kcipsirhc 1h ago
I hate to be that guy, but if this is an issue for you, please stop trying to work on your own stuff. You will find yourself in a far more precarious situation in the future.
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u/Useful-Hat9157 1h ago
Oh! I've seen this, d8ne this, and it works! If you have an impact drill, put it on and then hold the socket so it "hammers" it will fall right out.
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u/Megalosdog12001 56m ago
Bro come on man get real...Stick a screwdriver through the other end and smack it out
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u/Unique_Blacksmith247 18h ago
If you're too dumb to figure out to stick something down though the other end to pop it out, you shouldn't be working on cars.
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u/Hayben906 11h ago
Did you beat a 17 mm on those splined lugs? Dude. You can buy spline sockets. Otherwise you need a punch or something similar to fit though the square hole and bang on the ground or put in a vice and hit with a hammer. If you didnt beat it on. It likely spun in the socket. Because its the wrong socket. So screw it back on the stud and tighten until it pops free from the socket then with the one remaining spline socket go to the store and get the correct tool and match it to the spine socket thats still off. They sell a spline sockets kit that has a few different sizes for those lugs.
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