How to Remove Stuck Lug Nuts

It's really annoying when you go to change a tire and you encounter a lug nut that is stuck. It's much worse when you have a flat tire, it's dark and raining, the temperature is 35 degrees and you're stuck in the middle of nowhere with no hope of receiving help. You can remove a stuck lug nut in a variety of ways. Unfortunately, some of the methods won't work if the nut is extremely stuck. Removing a stuck lug nut is largely a matter of trial and error.

Things You'll Need

  • Penetrating oil
  • Lug wrenches
  • Air gun
  • Propane torch
  • Nut splitter

Options

  • Place a penetrating oil such as Liquid Wrench all around the nut. Let the oil seep in for 10 minutes. Remove the nut with a lug wrench. Let the oil seep in for a few hours if the nut is still stuck and you're not in a rush.

  • Try a different wrench. A four-way wrench is much better than a wrench shaped like an "L'' because it gives you better torque. Many cars come with the wrench shaped like an "L.''

  • Try removing the lug nut with an air gun. An air gun is the tool you see on TV where they quickly change tires in a race-car pit.

  • Carefully heat the lug nut with a propane torch. Heat only the nut. The way it works is that a heated nut will expand more quickly than the unheated stud inside. Loosen the nut with a wrench.

  • Place a nut splitter on the nut. A nut splitter forces a wedge into the nut as you tighten it. The nut then splits in half and falls off.