On 11 Oct 2006 17:48:12 -0700, "Charlie Choc"
wrote:


riverman wrote:

Just be sure the frozen lug is the FIRST lug you remove....

Actually, the 2nd set of wrecker guys sort of wanted me to take off all
the lugs and then drive around and see if the frozen one would break
off - after they had chisled as much as they could - but they wouldn't
really come right out and recommend it. I chose to have it towed to a
shop instead, and I'm glad I did.

Chiseled!? Um, it sure sounds like there was some definite chiseling
going on...if it ever happens again, get a _good_ 4-way and put the
appropriate end on the crossed lug nut and then, there are two ways to
snap off the stud: 1. put the "grab" ends at a slight angle (so it's not
quite parallel to the ground) and see if it will turn. If it will _at
all_ you need to _tighten_ it to twist off the stud (just like twisting
off a bolt by over-tightening it), but if it's so cross-threaded it
won't turn, give it a quick, hard "snatch-and-jerk," pulling one end and
pushing the other. If you have no luck, or know you aren't up to doing
it that way, try method 2: put the 4-way on with the "grab" ends as
close to up and down as you can. Sit parallel to the car, and put a
foot on the lower bar and grab the upper, and see if that will let you
turn it. If not, try the quick, hard snap method. Normal
passenger-vehicle studs aren't don't have that much tensile strength, so
generally, you can twist off/snap off the lug nut easier than you can
cold-chisel it off.

HTH,
R