[chicagoanalog]

Well, I got a flat here in Chicago tonight. Windchill negative two and I just spent the last two hours on the side of Lakeshore Drive with traffic buzzing by trying to get two (of three) lugs off my spare but the bolts they were threaded on just kept spinning with the lug.

A fellow TJ stopped to give me a hand but neither of us could get it, even together. Tried prying / pinning the bolts, PB Blaster, the whole nine yards (this guy was a saint, spent 45 minutes with me on the side of the road).

Thankfully, he had a portable compressor and I was able to get to a 24 hour shop.

Mechanic's impact wrench couldn't even get it off. Bolts just spin.

Patched and sent me on my way but I still need to get this f'in spare off?

I'm literally about 8 hours away from taking a sawzall to the rim (they're echo's and I could use an excuse to get some cragers I've been eying).

Any suggestions, insight?

This happen to anyone else?

[never monday]

unbolt the carrier from the tail gate, tack weld the stud.

[prd_cdn]

Originally Posted by chicagoanalog

Well, I got a flat here in Chicago tonight. Windchill negative two and I just spent the last two hours on the side of Lakeshore Drive with traffic buzzing by trying to get two (of three) lugs off my spare but the bolts they were threaded on just kept spinning with the lug.

A fellow TJ stopped to give me a hand but neither of us could get it, even together. Tried prying / pinning the bolts, PB Blaster, the whole nine yards (this guy was a saint, spent 45 minutes with me on the side of the road).

Thankfully, he had a portable compressor and I was able to get to a 24 hour shop.

Mechanic's impact wrench couldn't even get it off. Bolts just spin.

Patched and sent me on my way but I still need to get this f'in spare off?

I'm literally about 8 hours away from taking a sawzall to the rim (they're echo's and I could use an excuse to get some cragers I've been eying).

Any suggestions, insight?

This happen to anyone else?

Nope!! Maybe you should rotate your tires more often!

Originally Posted by never monday

unbolt the carrier from the tail gate, tack weld the stud.

Yeah... not gonna work if hes still got the 3rd brake light mounted...

deflate the tire to get access to the stud on the back, pair of vise grips to keep it from rotating and PB blaster it !!

[Morpheus]

This happened to me a few months ago....all you have to do it remove the rear breaklight,4 screws I believe, than you can get a welding rod in the carrier and tack weld it....5 minutes and you are set!!!!!

[Wheelin98TJ]

Originally Posted by prd_cdn

Yeah... not gonna work if hes still got the 3rd brake light mounted...

Why not?

[chicagoanalog]

Originally Posted by prd_cdn

Nope!! Maybe you should rotate your tires more often!



Yeah... not gonna work if hes still got the 3rd brake light mounted...

deflate the tire to get access to the stud on the back, pair of vise grips to keep it from rotating and PB blaster it !!

I rotate my tires every 5k my friend. Just had it done this summer! So this is a recent development.

How is deflating the tire going to get me access to the stud? It's the rim that's in the way.

[chicagoanalog]

Originally Posted by Morpheus

This happened to me a few months ago....all you have to do it remove the rear breaklight,4 screws I believe, than you can get a welding rod in the carrier and tack weld it....5 minutes and you are set!!!!!

How do you get the brake light off with the rim and spare still on?

[chicagoanalog]

Originally Posted by never monday

unbolt the carrier from the tail gate, tack weld the stud.

carrier can't be unbolted from tailgate with spare still on it. carrier prevents the bolts from coming out. Assuming this is a security measure?

[Wheelin98TJ]

Originally Posted by chicagoanalog

carrier can't be unbolted from tailgate with spare still on it. carrier prevents the bolts from coming out. Assuming this is a security measure?

I did not think of this. Its been awhile since I've seen a stock tire carrier.

Can you break the stud by hammering on the lug nut, or does your Ecco style wheel have the lug nut recessed in a hole in the wheel?

[mdm]

Drill progressively larger holes in the stud until you are able to bust the nut off. If the stud wants to turn with the drill, put a socket on the nut, hold the socket with a pair of vice grips, and run the drill through the drive hole of the socket.

[2006_Sport]

Another reason why I run no tire carrier and keep my spare in the tub.

OP: You should be able to drill into the stud and use a socket to hold the nut and run the drill through the hole in the socket.


edit: Just saw MDMs post. Wow, some people think alike eh?

[jerseyjeep2003]

Try a die grinder with a thin blade, cut the sides of the lug nut, then hammer and chisel the remaining piece of the nut off the stud. Good luck.

[prd_cdn]

Good luck

[Knuckelhead]

Pull on the wheel and use an impact wrench...

[chicagoanalog]

Originally Posted by mdm

Drill progressively larger holes in the stud until you are able to bust the nut off. If the stud wants to turn with the drill, put a socket on the nut, hold the socket with a pair of vice grips, and run the drill through the drive hole of the socket.

good advice, thanks. I'll give it a try.