Beavis move - need new studs

grywlfbg · **Posted:** Mon Feb 20, 2006 10:44 pm

All,

So I pulled a newbie move. Rotated the tires last wkend and although I KNOW I tightened them by hand after lowering the Jeep, apparently I missed a wheel. Coming home from work today I noticed some noise as I was pulling into the neighborhood. Pulled into the driveway and sure enough, front right wheel, one lug and stud completely gone. Jacked it up to pull the wheel and one more stud fell off in my hand. The other 3 were only finger tight. FRACK!

So I'm short 2 lugs. I'll pull the rotor tomorrow but does anyone know offhand if I need a whole new rotor or if I can just replace the studs? If I can just replace the studs I'm thinking I should replace them all? Never had this happen before :oops:

Ranger1 · **Joined:** Mon Oct 17, 2005 7:40 pm **Posts:** 1137

On my 02 Liberty, the studs are separate from the rotor. They are on a small plate which is connected through the front wheel bearings to the CV driveshaft. The studs look like they could be replaced separately. I'd have them all replaced if the threads are roughed up.

grywlfbg · **Posted:** Mon Feb 20, 2006 11:55 pm

Thanks for the reply. So is this something I could do or should I take it in? I was going to pull the rotor tomorrow when I had some light to see what I can see but I don't have a press or anything. The dealer is only 2 miles from my house so I could try to drive it (slowly) or have it towed.

Ranger1 · **Joined:** Mon Oct 17, 2005 7:40 pm **Posts:** 1137

If you have it done, they can check to see if any other damage has occured on the wheel bearings. Worth a look just to be safe.

TxAshurst · **Posted:** Tue Feb 21, 2006 12:19 pm

I've replaced studs with just a big hammer. You just bang them out and tap in the new ones. It's not hard, but it's hard on the bearings to be pounding on them. I got away with it with no noticeable impact, but I only did it because I was poor back then. These days I'd never do that to one of my vehicles.

I'd definitely replace all of them on that wheel. The studs aren't that expensive and they can get you killed if they fail. You've accidentally put a lot of abuse into them already. I agree with Ranger1 - take it in and have them check it all out at the same time they replace the studs.

dog_party · **Posted:** Tue Feb 21, 2006 2:04 pm

grywlfbg wrote:

So I pulled a newbie move. Rotated the tires last wkend and although I KNOW I tightened them by hand after lowering the Jeep, apparently I missed a wheel. Coming home from work today I noticed some noise as I was pulling into the neighborhood. Pulled into the driveway and sure enough, front right wheel, one lug and stud completely gone. Jacked it up to pull the wheel and one more stud fell off in my hand. The other 3 were only finger tight. FRACK!

I did the exact same thing years ago on my Subaru Brat. I had it towed in on a flatbed to minimize further damage. Had to replace the studs, but got away without having any bearing or rotor damage. I would suggest replacing the studs and checking rotor and bearings before driving again.

Ranger1 · **Joined:** Mon Oct 17, 2005 7:40 pm **Posts:** 1137

Last time I checked, the front wheel bearings were pressed into the yoke or knuckle and not available separately. No inexpensive way to replace bearing separately. Cost was a couple of hundred per side to replace the entire unit if the bearings went bad. Good reason not to pound away on those wheel lugs. I believe you can pull the small plate off the unit and then remove the wheel studs.

BlackLibertyCRD · **Posted:** Tue Feb 21, 2006 9:50 pm

Be sure to check that the wheel is not damaged. Look where the lug nuts seats on the wheel real good to be sure no damage or egg shape frome being loose. It would be better to move a damage wheel to the spare than to risk it coming loose again.

Beavis move - need new studs

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