Frozen Wheel Nuts

Fred Mc · November 13, 2011, 08:48:22 AM

Although this isn't a problem on my bus it is related.
My truck has 16 inch duals where the inner wheel is held on with a stud that is threaded on the inside to attach to the drum and on the outside so the outer wheel is held on by a nut. The outer nuts are all frozen and when you use an impact the whole asembly turns.

Any tips on this. I don't mind cutting the outer nuts off with a torch as I have a replacement set but I read somewhere that using a torch on a wheel with a tire on it can be dangerous.
Thanks

Fred

TomC · November 13, 2011, 08:55:52 AM

Few ways of doing this. You could use a powerful impact wrench and just tighten the stud until it breaks (which is chancy-could crack the hub or damage the drum). There is a special tool made that holds the inner nut while trying to crack loose the outer nut. Best to check with a heavy duty tire guy-they have to deal with these problems all the time and usually have the correct tools to remove the nuts without damaging anything. Nothing worse then frozen nuts. Good Luck, TomC

bevans6 · November 13, 2011, 09:09:07 AM

Using a torch on a wheel with an inflated tire is very dangerous. You can get a runaway rise in pressure leading to an explosion. Just take all the air out of the tires first, and if you can, break the bead..

Is the actual stud turning, or the inner Budd nut? I have seen it where if you back the affair off to where the inner Budd nut gets to the inside of the outer wheel it will jam and stop turning and the outer nut will come off, unless it is terminally frozen beyond hope...

buswarrior · November 13, 2011, 09:14:32 AM

And, as always with stuck threads, get the penetrating oil to them for a day, every little bit helps.

I agree with Brian's advice, how far did you try gunning them off before you noticed the inner was spinning?

At some point, something has to bind against the rest of the fasteners still holding it all together.

Yes, frozen nuts on frozen knuts are to be avoided...

happy coaching!
buswarrior

Busted Knuckle · November 13, 2011, 10:19:57 AM

http://www.kentool.com/issuu.html

Your local truck tire guy should have any one or all of these 3 tools on the left side of page 31.

I have and occasionally have to use the top one.
I'll look to see if I can find more.
What size are the inner/outter nuts?
Are they the standard 3/4" square head on the inner with a 1.5" outer nut?

BK

Busted Knuckle · November 13, 2011, 10:35:59 AM

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/KENTOOL-Cap-Nut-Wrench-2WFC6

BK

Fred Mc · November 13, 2011, 11:08:30 AM

Thanks guys.
I got the wheel off without too much effort. Just loosened ALL the studs a little at a time and VOILA, the outerwheel is off BUT the studs and nuts are still attached. I think I will go to the tire store tomorrow and see if they can remove the nuts from the stud with a proper wrench. Otherwise I will deflate the tire and cut them off with the acetylene wrench.
Thanks

Fred

eagle19952 · November 13, 2011, 11:31:53 AM

Make one of these in the proper size, a little imagination or further research for the proper size....
I would think that if it happened once it might happen 500 miles from nowhere....
http://www.alltiresupply.com/p-TX200.html

Fred Mc · November 13, 2011, 11:47:46 AM

Decided not to wait for the tire store so I deflated the tire and used the torch to take them off. I had a spare set of studs and nuts anyway.

Thanks again.

Fred

Geoff · November 13, 2011, 04:24:57 PM

In my 35+ years as a diesel mechanic I have torch-cut a lot of stripped out nuts off studs on fully aired wheels. I never heard it was dangerous. If it is, it would take a LOT of heat. I also use acetylene to seat/mount problematic tires. A nice big POP!

Busted Knuckle · November 13, 2011, 05:21:19 PM

Quote from: Geoff on November 13, 2011, 04:24:57 PM
In my 35+ years as a diesel mechanic I have torch-cut a lot of stripped out nuts off studs on fully aired wheels. I never heard it was dangerous. If it is, it would take a LOT of heat. I also use acetylene to seat/mount problematic tires. A nice big POP!

Geoff,
Not trying to start a war or pissing match here, but just because you an I have done it successfully for yrs doesn't mean it's safe for the everyday novice to attempt it!

I had a drive tire blow out once right after I'd slip out from under the bus checking out the dragging brake problem. If it had blown 10 seconds sooner y'all would have read a post from Dallas & Cat about my unfortunate accident. (they were at our place back then)
I was fixing to move the bus into the shop and remove the wheels and check out the brakes, after feeling it drag as I came home from fueling it and slid under to look at it!
So I know they can and will blow from heat transfer.
A novice might not realize just how hot he's getting it in the wrong area.

BK