Your Complete Guide on How to Remove Broken Lug Nut

Do you want to know how to remove a broken lug nut? It could be useful to know when making repairs on your vehicle. The only problem is when you discover that one or two of the lug nuts are broken, but you need to use your car. Even if this situation rarely happens, you should learn how to do it right the first time to avoid unnecessary headaches.

Table of Contents

How to Remove a Broken Lug Nut

When you need to remove a stripped or broken lug nut, use the following guide to learn some useful techniques.

Things you will need

Penetrating oil
12pt socket head
Breaker bar

Easy Steps

1. Park Your Car Safely on a Flat Surface

First, look for a place to park the car on a level surface. Never attempt to remove a broken lug nut on a slope. Make sure there’s plenty of room to move safely around the car.

If you discover a stripped or damaged lug nut, go to a parking lot or somewhere with a safe, open space to ensure you can work safely on your car, as it may take some time to repair the nut. Always set the parking brake.

2. Use Penetrating Oil

Rust is the most common issue with stripped or broken lug nuts, which can make them difficult to remove. While some sources recommend using a mallet or hammer to remove the rust, you risk damaging other parts, so we advise against it.

Instead, spray the lug nut with penetrating oil, particularly low viscosity oils, which help remove the rusted parts.

3. Connect a Socket

You should be able to use a 12pt socket head to position over the broken lug nut. You might want to select a socket larger than the lug nut you want to remove.

When the socket is in position, use a mallet or hammer to knock it around the lug nut. You could also use a rag between the hammer and the lug nut to prevent damage and secure a better grip. Stop if you notice any movement in the socket surrounding the lug nut.

4. Add a Breaker Bar to the Socket

When you position the socket tightly around the lug nut, you might also want to attach a breaker bar to make turning easier.

5. Apply Force

Apply enough force to the breaker bar to easily loosen the lug nut. However, make sure you’re not rushing this step, or you might grind the socket into the lug nut.

Turn the breaker bar slowly but firmly grip while applying precise pressure until the broken lug nut loosens and comes off easily.

Once you’ve removed the nut, assess the stud’s condition. If the stud is broken or damaged, replace it immediately. Otherwise, fix the lug nut into place if there’s no damage.

Conclusion

This technique to remove a broken lug nut is the simplest and easiest method. We hope you learned something valuable should you encounter this problem.

Did we miss any tips in the above guide? Tell us in the comment section. Share this article on Facebook to let others know about this useful tip today!