Front hub studs breaking off (1 Viewer)

[ebescoby]

New member. I've had my FJ60 since 1986 and have rolled up 291,000 miles. Should pass 300,000 this year.

I've had a nagging problem with front hub studs breaking off. I've had tire service in San Diego, Los Angeles, and Boca Raton Florida at dealers and at independents and have had subsequent break-offs no matter who did the service. The longest surviving solution has been to replace all the studs and all the lug nuts when replacing one or more broken studs. I have all stock wheels and have not done hard off-roading.

Any suggestions on how to eliminate this problem?

Thanks.

Eric

 

[dgangle]

What's a hub stud?

If you mean a wheel stud, then I'd suggest replacing them all then do your own lug tightening by hand, finished off with a torque wrench.

 

[Tinker]

Pix?

Repeat after me: "I will never post without first searching extensively, & I will never post without pix."

 

[chitown40]

Common denominator is they all probably use impact guns on the wheel studs/lug nuts. Ask them to tighten by hand and use a torque wrench and the studs/nuts won't be stressed as much.

 

[cruiser88]

2 problems

One they are using air with alot of power.

2 somebody is using cheap studs. The Napa studs are fine along with oem of course.

 

[grant5127]

Pix?

Repeat after me: "I will never post without first searching extensively, & I will never post without pix."

Repeat after me: "Who the Fxxx wants to see a pic of a broken lug stud?"

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Repeat after me: "Who the Fxxx wants to see a pic of a broken lug stud?"

Be nice.

We still don't know if it's a wheel stud, we just know it's a "hub stud".

 

[ebescoby]

Breaking Wheel Studs

First, thanks to all of you that provided constructive suggestions without being picky about the terms and pictures.

Is there a "specific" stud associated with the hub that is different than a wheel "stud"? I specifically stated that I had replaced the "studs" and "lug nuts", which are clearly associated with the wheels. I thought this would be clear enough. Oh well.

Still, has no one else experienced this? Most of the time this was Toyota dealers, with supposedly Toyota parts. Not suggesting that the dealers mechanics didn't over torque them with an air gun, but could all of these situations (probably 5 different dealers) had the same result? Any thoughts that the rims might play a part in this problem?

 

[dgangle]

....Is there a "specific" stud associated with the hub that is different than a wheel "stud"? I specifically stated that I had replaced the "studs" and "lug nuts", which are clearly associated with the wheels. I thought this would be clear enough. Oh well.

Still, has no one else experienced this? Most of the time this was Toyota dealers, with supposedly Toyota parts. Not suggesting that the dealers mechanics didn't over torque them with an air gun, but could all of these situations (probably 5 different dealers) had the same result? Any thoughts that the rims might play a part in this problem?

Don't get your panties in a wad. A whopping 3 posts hardly give you the right to throw it back quite just yet. We're just breaking your balls on the terms. Be glad this isn't one of the other popular forums.

In regards to your last question, let's put this in perspective. You got almost 300K on the ticker. I think a few broken wheel studs are part of the deal. You are asking questions no one can answer. Really, how does anyone know how much whoever tightened the things.

If you are that concerned replace them all and change your own tires with hand tools and a torque wrench...then you know how it's done.

 

[Hobbs]

Repeat after me: "Who the Fxxx wants to see a pic of a broken lug stud?"

That is f*cking funny!!! Pure poetry!!! I hurt from laughing...... I can't get up. Awwww, that s*** rocks!

 

[kidishi]

I can see how first time posters would be hesitant to post a thing thinking their threads will go like this............

 

[Dynosoar]

The dealer is the LAST place I would take my truck for ANY service. Yes, even changing a wheel is too much for them to handle. You could have the wrong lug nuts on there but I am betting it is just wear and tear. Next time you take the lugs off put some anti-seize on the threads and you will be good for another billion miles.


Dynosoar


Oh BTW let me be the first to welcome you to MUD (official mud welcome)

 

[Cruiserdrew]

dgangle's post is right on the money.

Those studs have been stressed hundreds of times. Probably overstressed by a few impact wielding rednecks over the years. The studs elongate and break. No big deal.

I would strongly recommend you replace them all. It isn't that hard and it isn't expensive, considering your entire life is riding on the integrity of those studs. The OEM studs are available from Toyota. The Napa studs are good as well, I've used both, but prefer the OEM.

I do install lug nuts with the impact turned way down, and then final torque by hand. I'm an anti-seize believer too, but others will make a good argument not to do that.

 

[baxter650]

I am willing to bet they pulled them in with an impact on high and over stressed them right from the start.
I drift them in with a brass drift, torque the wheel nuts and go.
Retorque once or twice after driving.

 

[calphi27]

I can see how first time posters would be hesitant to post a thing thinking their threads will go like this............

that is a good thing. hopefully it will make them use the search tool.

Anyways one of my hub studs broke off, but I have yet to replace it. I have had multiple wheel studs break, and they have all been replaced.

 

[Kynot62]

Eric

Welcome to the forum. Unfortunately you got the same thing I did. I don't see the need for the BS towards someone new (including myself) when you ask a legitimate question regardless of your terminology. Just because some of us are new doesn't mean we aren't familiar with our rigs, youv'e had yours awhile both years and miles and so have I.

It does seem odd that you continue to have stud breakage problems. While over aggesive use of an impact gun seems most likely the fact that it happens apparently regularly by different shops points to it possibly having another cause. I can't say exactly what.

Does your rig have any strange vibration or wobble in the front end? Have you had strange tire wear? Are the wheel bearings adjusted properly? Get a Factory Service Manual and check everything in the knuckles, make sure its all up to spec. If you can't do this yourself find someone familiar with Land Cruisers who can and that you trust, preferably not the dealer. Check with the local TLCA club to see if they can reccomend a good mechanic. Check out your rims, are they bent or are the lug holes ovaled out? Does your rig have a stiff suspension? This could transmit excessive impact to other components of the axle.

So don't give up on the forum, just learn to ignore the less than constructive answers. There are guys here who can be a lot of help and won't try and belittle you in the process.

Best of luck

Tony

 

[Tinker]

Ebe & Grant -

We'll assume you ended up here because you either needed or could provide help or maybe both. Kindly consider that it'll take less time to get the answer if you learn to help yourself by using the search function before you post something. Then if you think you have something unique, put it up. The search returned 11 threads on this forum for "broken wheel stud" just now. But if you don't use accurate terms it won't work as well.

The value of pictures is that folks can see what you're talking about even when you use terms inaccurately.

I didn't mean to offend anyone. Sorry.

 

[Fuzzy Logic]

Pix?

Repeat after me: "I will never post without first searching extensively, & I will never post without pix."

"arrogant bastard" is the way I would have taken it

 

[ebescoby]

Tony,

Thanks for the most considerate reply here. Your advice is worthwhile.

Most everyone jumped at the easy "over-torqued by impact gun" answer. I really don't think that's it. I've had them hand torqued after LENGTHY discussions about the problem with service managers and mechanics at many repair places. After doing a search on this site, as several posters said I was remiss in completing before posting a lame question, I'm more amazed at the number for posters that take a broken wheel stud as part of the cost of ownership. I'd estimate that 290,750 of my 291,000 miles have been on-road, street/highway miles. No weird front end shimmy/wobble, no unusual tire wear, no rough treatment, regular front-end service. How many other vehicles, of all types, regularly break wheel studs? I've never had or heard of any. "I've had multiple wheel stud breaks and they've been replaced"??? This group just accepts broken wheel studs? I think this is unacceptable and a design defect. I'd like to find a long-term solution, not just "change the studs and hand torque" which still results in breaks. Does anyone have an idea, or do I just live with what seems to be a design defect?

Thanks.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

Tony,

Thanks for the most considerate reply here. Your advice is worthwhile.

Most everyone jumped at the easy "over-torqued by impact gun" answer. I really don't think that's it. I've had them hand torqued after LENGTHY discussions about the problem with service managers and mechanics at many repair places. After doing a search on this site, as several posters said I was remiss in completing before posting a lame question, I'm more amazed at the number for posters that take a broken wheel stud as part of the cost of ownership. I'd estimate that 290,750 of my 291,000 miles have been on-road, street/highway miles. No weird front end shimmy/wobble, no unusual tire wear, no rough treatment, regular front-end service. How many other vehicles, of all types, regularly break wheel studs? I've never had or heard of any. "I've had multiple wheel stud breaks and they've been replaced"??? This group just accepts broken wheel studs? I think this is unacceptable and a design defect. I'd like to find a long-term solution, not just "change the studs and hand torque" which still results in breaks. Does anyone have an idea, or do I just live with what seems to be a design defect?

Thanks.

Your experience is atypical. I've never broken one. Not on 5 Land Cruisers and 200,000 of my own miles of driving them. I have replalced them a few times when buying parts with an unknown history. I don't see a design defect, given that Chevy and Ford trucks use the same bolt pattern and number of studs, in roughly the same size. Until you can say that you personally installed them correctly, used the correct wheels, and torqued the lug nuts by hand, you still have an install error. The only correct way to install new lug studs is with a press. Did you do that, or did you try to draw them in with the lug nut?

This is a big site with thousands of posters and thousands of topics. Broken wheel studs are not a common problem, except for you. I would re-evaluate your proceedures long before I would suggest a "design defect". This is not a common problem.