Stripped wheel bolt/lug nut

Well, have the day off today so swapping my front suspension out. Last weekend had Discount Tire rotate my tires for “free” well they crossed threaded a nut and tightened it down. I’ve sufficiently stripped the nut/bolt threads trying to remove...now it just spins. I can’t get the wheel off until this lug nut comes off...any ideas?

 

I would honestly throw the others back on and tell Discount Tire to fix it if anything, but if the truck already has some suspensions swapped out, then that's not an option.
If you mean that the socket is spinning on the nut and not taking it off, get a smaller socket and hammer it on, that should work.

That is only my opinion though, so I would see what else everyone has to say first.

 

I agree with others, let DT deal with this. If you try to remedy this yourself and damage the wheel and then try to go to DT, they'll probably tell you to pound sand.

 

Also interested if its the socket spinning on the lug nut? Also I have stripped a lug nut before and ended up breaking off the outer chrome part of the lug only to find a smaller nut inside and I was able to get it off the wheel. I don't think my lug not terminology is up to par, but here is a picture. If you are able to break the outer casing off, you should be able to get another shot with a smaller socket.

 

Or, if you want to do it yourself. I don't know if this would work but I'd at least try it. Get the other lugnuts removed and then put a prybar between the wheel and the hub. Pry outward as you try and loosen the nut the rest of the way.

 

The outside of the lug nut isn’t stripped. It’s the threaded rod that the lug nut goes onto that stripped. The whole nut spins freely. My plan was to take it there but I think they are closed today and not answering the phone. Thought if I could get it off I would fix it myself rather than dealing with them.

 

So the wheel stud is actually spinning with the lug nut?

 

No the lug nut is spinning on the stud

 

If you go to youtube there are a few fixes that mostly involve brute force. I would rather wait the day for DT to open. Hopefully you haven't started taking apart the suspension.

 

Ya may go brute force method. Finally had a day where I didn’t need to worry about work and family and discount tire F’s it all up.

 

When I lost my wheel lock key, I bought this emergency lug nut removal socket from AZ. Hammer it on, then use my impact and worked like a charm. I agree with others about having DT fix it but this tool worked for me. Comes in different sizes but I bought the 3/4" socket. Note that there’s a chance you might also need a new lug stud due to thread damage so having DT do this will cover the costs of repair.

 

Ya that won’t don’t it because it’s the stud threads that stripped so the whole lug nut spins. I don’t have a problem getting a wrench on it.

 

If you go brute force method, let us know how it turns out...

 

Maybe remove the whole rotor with the wheel to get to the backside of the stud,and then drill out the stud.

 

I see, if that's the case I would definitely take it back to DT. Call first and speak with the manager to explain the situation before driving it in. I find discussing with them beforehand usually have better results.

 

OP, have you tried this yet?

 

I haven’t, I don’t think I could fit one in there but I don’t have a pry bar anyways. Thinking I’m tapping out today, plan was to be done by noon and I haven’t even gotten the wheel off. Rather than spend the day getting pissed off im going mountain biking.

 

Ideas? Sure.. stay away from "free" service. Why do you let inexperienced teenagers touch your truck?

Now you have to drill it out or get outward pressure on the stud and hope the nut spins free. When you do get it off, look closely at the hub flange hole make sure it isnt hogged out

 

OP, I can tell you right now that taking it to DT is your best route because it's highly likely that you will also need a new lug stud. Damaging it further the DIY route will give them an excuse to not repair it for free.

 

If the nut is spinning on the stud and still not coming off, that might mean the stud is spinning free from the hub too, which would make it even worse. Not sure what is actually happening behind it, but getting DT to fix it before brute forcing it would be my plan. Also like you said though, if they aren't open, that ain't too good.