How to Replace a Wheel Stud in a Nissan Pathfinder

A stripped, cross-threaded or sheared wheel stud may seem harmless at first--until you realize that when one goes, it affects the integrity of the others. If they all break away, you could lose the tire while you drive, so you need to replace the wheel stud on you Nissan Pathfinder immediately. You need some mechanical ability, the right tools, the time and a little brute strength.

Things You'll Need

  • Jack, lug wrench and jack tools
  • Blocks
  • Replacement stud
  • Vise-grips
  • Open end wrench
  • Crescent wrench
  • Dead blow hammer or heavy mallet
  • Extra wheel bolts and wheel nuts
  • Impact wrench (if available) or 1/2-inch long handled drive socket wrench
  • Buy a new wheel stud. You need to get the exact size. If you're unsure about the size of the stud, wait until you remove it and then take it to the auto parts store with you.

  • Remove the jack and jacking tools from the storage area in the back. You need to jack up the SUV when you replace the wheel stud on your Nissan Pathfinder. Make sure you block the tire that's diagonal to the location of the jack.

  • Jack up the SUV. Take off the wheel. In the front, you need to remove the rotor and calipers. Do the same for the back, if you have disc brakes there. Remove the emergency brake cable clip if necessary. If you have drum brakes in the rear, take off the drum and skip to Step 5.

  • Make a notch in the dust shield or see if one already exists. You need a location wide enough to drive the stud backwards, remove and replace it. Line up the stud with the notch.

  • Hit the stud with a mallet. Pull the stud out the back and insert the new stud in the area.

  • Put on two wheel bolts to tighten the stud down. Use a torque wrench if you have one. As you tighten the bolts, notice that the stud pulls through. Check back to make sure it seats flush against the hub.

  • Reassemble all the parts you removed to replace the stud on your Nissan Pathfinder. Tighten down the wheel nuts.