Lug Nut Issue

[Rollwave]

I bought a LX 470 a couple days ago. During the PPI the mechanic stated that the front brake pads were at 0% and the rotors could get by for a while. So I bought new pads and went to replace them (not a hard job), but I can’t even get to the pads because the lug nuts are so tight I bent my 4-way. Question is, did the PPI shop over tourque the nuts, or do they not even take the wheels off? Also, in maintenance records from 2 years back they state that the wheel key broke and they had to manually remove the wheel locks. Does this mean they’re probably bent and I’m screwed?

Thanks for reading and your advice.

 

[LongHaulCruiser]

Do you still have the locking lugnuts? If so, I hope you got the key, in the second photo. If you don't have the locking lugnuts, you just need some good leverage. I took a breaker bar and a socket to loosen mine after I bought it. I never could have changed a flat on the road side. If that doesn't work, the jack handle with a cheater bar might.

 

[flintknapper]

Ditch the 4-way and get a long 1/2" drive breaker bar (and appropriate socket). We will assume you are turning the lug nuts counter clockwise, right?

IF you still have trouble removing them...take the vehicle to any tire shop and have them remove ALL the lug-nuts, inspect your 'studs' for damage and then reinstall (torqued to the correct figure). You can take it from there.

 

[Rollwave]

There aren't any lugs that require the key anymore. I'm going to price a breaker bar at Harbor freight and may do the tire shop too. Thanks y'all for the help, don't know why but I didn't think about the tire shop idea, seems like an easy way.

 

[LongHaulCruiser]

Ultimate cheapskate would do this: Go to Autozone or O'Reillys and use the free tool rental (as long as you return it, in one piece optional). Loosen the nuts in the parking lot and bring it back in to the store.

 

[2001LC]

HF freight has a 3/4 breaker bar, I bought for tough lugs on GrayBear. All it's lugs were over torqued and rusted on. Removing locking wheel lug without key..

The 3/4" has become one of my favorite tools.

 

[iwashmycar]

I think it means they just impacted the lugs back on and the little 4-way isnt cutting it.

Breaker bar and you will be fine...An impact would probably even still work. I bought one of those 1/2 electric Kobalt impacts and its AMAZING. Even gets off 35mm axle nuts. I never knew how great it was not to have to loosen lugs before jacking a vehicle up before!

 

[YardPig]

Ask your favorite tire shop to loosen them and retighten properly. A box of donuts should do it.

 

[hoser]

If you do or plan to do a fair amount of work on your 100, a powerful impact gun (pneumatic or electric) is a good investment.

 

[medtro]

Ultimate cheapskate would do this: Go to Autozone or O'Reillys and use the free tool rental (as long as you return it, in one piece optional). Loosen the nuts in the parking lot and bring it back in to the store.

Autozone doesn't loan breaker bar for liability reason.

 

[flintknapper]

I think it means they just impacted the lugs back on and the little 4-way isnt cutting it.
Breaker bar and you will be fine...

^^^^^ Yep.

The average (cheap) 4-way these days is made from Chinesium and is pretty much a total waste of your money. Get a breaker bar and whatever sockets you need, be done with it.

 

[gatormark91]

^^^^^ Yep.

The average (cheap) 4-way these days is made from Chinesium and is pretty much a total waste of your money. Get a breaker bar and whatever sockets you need, be done with it.

I like to use 6-point impact sockets with my breaker bar on lug nuts. They don't cost much more than regular sockets, and they won't break or round the lug nut when you really need to lay into it.

 

[gatormark91]

HF freight has a 3/4 breaker bar, I bought for tough lugs on GrayBear. All it's lugs were over torqued and rusted on. Removing locking wheel lug without key..

The 3/4" has become one of my favorite tools.
View attachment 1888002 View attachment 1888003

Heat is your friend. Those had to be some crusty lug nuts!

 

[2001LC]

Heat is your friend. Those had to be some crusty lug nuts!

Worst I've every seen. Even wheels were wielded to drum and drum to hub from rust & heat. It really made me feel for the guys in rust belt. In fact all twenty lugs gave me trouble, but LH rear was the worst. I' remove all locking lugs these days, have a box of keys now....LOL

Lucky part of story for me, I bought this rig for ~$800. Corner shop told PO $4,500 to fix brakes and he left unfix in there lot for 6 to 9 mo. They said Brake Master and booster needed replacing. I also suspect they over torqued lug in first place with impact. The PO over heated LH rear is understatement. He tows in and they bust the lug key with impact. Then say $4,500 to fix not even telling him he has no brake fluid in reservoir

Master assembly was fine. Here what I found. You think he had a leak.....:

 

[gatormark91]

Worst I've every seen. Even wheels were wielded to drum and drum to hub from rust & heat. It really made me feel for the guys in rust belt. In fact all twenty lugs gave me trouble, but LH rear was the worst. I' remove all locking lugs these days, have a box of keys now....LOL

Lucky part of story for me, I bought this rig for ~$800. Corner shop told PO $4,500 to fix brakes and he left unfix in there lot for 6 to 9 mo. They said Brake Master and booster needed replacing. I also suspect they over torqued lug in first place with impact. The PO over heated LH rear is understatement. He tows in and they bust the lug key with impact. Then say $4,500 to fix not even telling him he has no brake fluid in reservoir

Master assembly was fine. Here what I found. You think he had a leak.....:
View attachment 1888329 View attachment 1888331 View attachment 1888332

Yeah, even though I live in the south.... that makes me think it's time to flush my brake fluid.

 

[Rollwave]

Went to the tire shop and had them loosen the lugs then made the investment at HF for a breaker bar. Thanks for all the help, not a good feeling not knowing if you’re screwed or not. Thanks again y’all.

 

[flintknapper]

Went to the tire shop and had them loosen the lugs then made the investment at HF for a breaker bar. Thanks for all the help, not a good feeling not knowing if you’re screwed or not. Thanks again y’all.

Now.... be sure to check your spare tire. Make sure it is in good condition, properly inflated and that you can let it down from its stored position. That can be another unwelcome 'surprise'. Since you have an LX you may well find that the spare tire winch has an 'anti-theft' key in it. IF you don't have the socket to fit it (or if the unit is rusty) you won't be able to lower your spare.

 

[Rollwave]

Now.... be sure to check your spare tire. Make sure it is in good condition, properly inflated and that you can let it down from its stored position. That can be another unwelcome 'surprise'. Since you have an LX you may well find that the spare tire winch has an 'anti-theft' key in it. IF you don't have the socket to fit it (or if the unit is rusty) you won't be able to lower your spare.

View attachment 1888854

Dang I’m glad you said this. Come to find out there’s not even a tool bag so I don’t have the right tools to lower it. Any suggestions on where to purchase another bag?

 

[trdcorolla]

Check the part out threads in the classifieds