Changing wheel studs

I've always knocked them out with a hammer and pulled them in with a lug nut. Easy as pie.

 

That's what I've done in the past, and it's probably fine, but you're really not supposed to introduce that kind of stress to the stud's threads. The "correct" way is to press them. Using the ball joint separator is pressing them, and takes a whole lot less bicep.

 

I have not. Before doing this I always pulled them in with a lugnut. I just liked that this wasn't pulling all those forces on the thread.

 

A little grease on the knurled portion, and they pull in with less torque than what is required to torque the wheel down. As long a a high grade washer and nut are used, there will be less induced elastic stretch on the studs, than normal torquing specs.

 

Cool. Just sharing a method I found easier.

 

That is what we are here for. To all share.

 

I introduce more stress than that when tightening the wheel onto the truck.

If you align the splines properly between the stud and the axle it goes right in with hardly any strain at all. I'm talking about using a 1/2 inch ratchet handle and one hand.

 

The hubs aren't "splined". It's just a hole. And the stud is knurled to make a light press fit. Don't use the ball joint separator. To me, it's easier, and it makes me feel like the job is done a little more properly. I was just trying to drop a helpful note about the tool.

 

I was wrong when I used the word knurled. I had a brainfart and couldn't think of splined.

 

But it is just knurled. You used the right word.

 

Technically, I should have used serrations. To have be most accurate.

https://www.pmpa.org/knowledge-tool...ntents/outside-surfaces/knurls-and-serrations

 

It's a straight knurl. The hole in the hub is just a hole. If it's going in as easy as some guys are saying, it's not getting the press-fit it should.

https://tech.arp-bolts.com/wheel-stud-fit.php

 

Well good. Past me was still accurate. Lol

 

I broke a couple of and decided to replace every one. Of course I forgot to put it into 4WD for the front. Am using an air impact + 5/8 nut + lug nut to reseat them, but I'm afraid all that torque is going to fuck up the new studs. Its a LOT of torque and they've been needing a lot of hammering to seat fully.

 

So you got the studs fully seated with that tool???

 

Spray some lube, or put some antiseize or grease on them. Helps tremendously, when a press isn't an option.

 

Isn't lube/grease not a good idea on press fits?

 

Nice. And I thought I was a rockstar with my nut and washer bearing.

 

Stretch the threads, or seat the studs? That depends on how much and interference there is. They are knurled and interference, so they won't spin in seat. Lug nuts hold them in. So it'll be fine in this case.

 

Well... I'm worried about stretching/damaging the threads when seating the studs. Judging by the amount of hammering needed to seat one, It does seem like there is plenty of interference.

Well, how about this: After seating one, there is a minor but noticeable increase in slop between the lug and the stud compared to new, un-touched studs.