QUICK PLEASE HELP! Busted Lug Nut Bolt

[beavis195]

I was putting my wheel back on and I guess I overtightened it. The bolt that the lug nut fastens to broke off. I am in so much trouble. Can I drive with 4 lug nuts? Any idea how much this will cost to get fixed. Please don't tell me I have to replace the whole drum assembly. Thanks

 

[tbomb]

i just asked my roommates who are mechanics. they said youre ok to drive with the 4 lugs for a little while, and you dont have to replace the whole assembly, you can just replace the single stud. you knock out the old and bang in the new one - should take about 10 min with air tools. keep in mind that these guys are chevy guys and havent really worked on explorers, but there shouldnt really be much of a difference when it comes to breaking off a stud, i dont think. hope this helps.

 

[JDraper]

Yup, you can just knock the old stud out (hammer and punch should do it) and put a new one in. Best way to put the new in is to put it in by hand, put some washers on the front of it, and use a nut to draw the splines into the hub.

 

[beavis195]

Are you saying I don't have to remove the axle from it's housing or the rear drum? Anyway, Thank you so much for your help guys. I just won't tell my dad about it and will fix it tomorrow.

 

[sirhk100]

I remember when I used to do that sort of stuff and hide it from my dad. Too bad he always found out somehow, I swear he had a camera in the garage!!

 

[JDraper]

You will have to take the rear drum off to get it out and put the new one in, but that's all you should have to do. you might have to turn the axle to a point where there is clearance for the bolt.

 

[beavis195]

I have no experience with rear drums. What do I do with the brake lines? Do I need to remove them to remove the rear drums? And if I have to remove the lines, won't it leak all over? So i will have to bleed the brakes then put new fluid in? Thanks

 

[JDraper]

Jack up the back of the vehicle, block the front wheels, remove the wheel, make sure the emergency brake is OFF, and the drum pulls off. You might have to work at it a little, but it will come off. Once it is off, your studs are right there in the hub. No need to take anything else off.

 

[beavis195]

Originally posted by sirhk100
I remember when I used to do that sort of stuff and hide it from my dad. Too bad he always found out somehow, I swear he had a camera in the garage!!

Yeah I hate that! He tells me that I can't make any mods to it because it makes it look cheap and the factory way is the optimal way. He's dumb sometimes. Doesn't mean I still don't make mods. He doesn't notice details too often, except my KKM.

 

[beavis195]

Originally posted by JDraper
You will have to take the rear drum off to get it out and put the new one in, but that's all you should have to do. you might have to turn the axle to a point where there is clearance for the bolt.

I just went out and noticed there is a steel line that goes to the drum That runs parallel to the axle to the other drum. The Chilton Manual says it is the brake line. To me it doesn't look flexible. I remember you said you had a 92. Is it different on a 92 than a 94. I just want to make sure. sorry to keep bugging you.

 

[Goober]

You don't have to worry about the brake lines.

Chock the front wheels.
Jack up the rear of the truck(whichever side needs to be repaired).
Take the wheel off.
Pull off the drum(you may need to wiggle it back and forth).
With the lugs pointing up, hammer and puch out the broken lug.
Install new lug from the backside and tap it back into the hole.
Slide the drum back on the axle.
Reinstall the wheel.
Lower the vehicle.
Check tightness of the bolts again.
After driving, again check the tightness of the lugs.

FYI(if you didn't already know):The reason you cannot have the parking brake on is because it will push against the rear drums and you'll not be able to get the drum off.

Just be glad it was the drum and not the rotor.
Hope this helps.

 

[beavis195]

Ok getting the drum off was easy. Also getting the bolt out was easy. Getting the new one in. That's a problem. I tried alot of stuff. The bolt appears to be metric. I went down to Lowes, grabbed a 12 and 14 size nut. The 12 didn't fit. The 14 was just a tad bit to loose. I also tried 1/2 inch and one larger than that and had the same results. What size is that bolt. Is it a 13mm? I couldn't find a 13 mm. And what about this washer thing. Where exactly do I put those and what do they do?