Real time help needed-Removing wheel lug nut spacer insert

[powdahbonz]

I didn't notice this when I bought these stock alloys(3). My spare, pics attached is like my other 4 rims. Large lug nut with a inset washer that fits flush w/ the wheel. The 3 I picked up have an inset inside the 6 holes that is metal. I have PB blastered, taken a socket, placed it flush on the backside and pounded to free it, torched it and pounded, more PB blaster. They are not coming out. If I can't free these, any ideas on what type of lug I should be using for this set? Here is the pic of what I speak-I'll attach the normal wheel in another post.

 

[powdahbonz]

Additional pics of insert and without

a couple more-I haven't seen these before on wheels but I assume they're common?

 

[Tools R Us]

Those are the early type wheel, the insert is factory don't remove them, they take acorn type lugs.

 

[powdahbonz]

just found a thread about this

Saw the acorn lug and the related insertdouble turds. Well better now than later but I wanted to mount up my new rubber now.
Is this a CDan item or dealership request item, aftermarket?
Anyone got a suggestion, maybe cruiserparts.net?

 

[Tools R Us]

...
Is this a CDan item or dealership request item, aftermarket?
...

Dan is the best bet for originals. But my guess is, any of the nuts for steel wheel equipped Toyota trucks would work.

 

[cruiserdan]

If you pounded on the inserts I would not use those wheels.

It sounds like you fixed it until you broke it.

 

[wussyPup]

Saw the acorn lug and the related insertdouble turds. Well better now than later but I wanted to mount up my new rubber now.
Is this a CDan item or dealership request item, aftermarket?
Anyone got a suggestion, maybe cruiserparts.net?

powdahbonz,

I'm in a similar situation... I've assembled 1 acorn and 4 washer style wheels, all in excellent condition. Since I'm doing a 5 wheel rotation, I would really prefer them to all match. Before you mount your tires, are you interested in swapping 1 of your washer style wheels for an acorn style? (assuming both are in same condition)

-Steve

note that the acorn and washer style have different torque specs

be careful when running mixed styles: I needed some work done on my cruiser last summer when I didn't have time to do it myself - took it to a "reputable" shop; when they remounted the wheels they used the wrong nuts on two of them and I didn't notice until next wheel change

 

[Grench]

If you pounded on the inserts I would not use those wheels.

It sounds like you fixed it until you broke it.

2X.

From the sounds of it, there would be a good chance that those wheels will have cracks in the aluminum surrounding the steel inserts after all of that pounding. No way to tell for sure. I wouldn't put my family on them though. If they were to give way, it could get messy quickly. IMHO YMMV.

 

[IdahoDoug]

If you've been pounding and putting break free chemicals on those, I would be VERY concerned about using them.

DougM

 

[d0ubledown]

X3. you might have fubar'd the seats to those wheels to the point that its strength has been compromised. i ran mismatched 80 wheels on my runner, and surprisngly, my oem 4runner lugs worked great on both types. it had the shank & washer, but was also beveled at the bottom to fit acorn style inserts as well.

might want to take em to a wheel repair shop to see if they're still salvageable. if they are...just get different nutsax for em...

 

[IdahoDoug]

Powda,

Don'cha just love highly public screwups?!! Heh - j/k. A long time ago I resolved never to "do math in public".

Seriously, on those wheels the conical fittings you were pounding on are press fit under enormous pressure - they are not cast into the wheel, which is forged actually (for greater strength). So, if you moved one or two (even microscopically) then when properly torqued on the truck there will be uneven pressure and the lugnuts may be prone to self-loosening while driving. There is no practical cure for this as no wheel shop in your area will be capable of measuring with the precision required to see if you moved any of them. And obviously it's not worth sending them to Stockton Wheel, etc. So, IF by chance you say 'screw MUD, I'm gonna use these' then be very vigilant about checking the lugnuts at every gas stop for several months until you establish they're OK. I doubt you achieved any cracking around the inserts as these are top quality aluminum and that section is thick for obvious reasons. It's the moving of the inserts I'm concerned about.

Were it me, after the lugnuts are tightened down the first time I'd use a bronze hammer and give each lugnut a few sharp raps, then recheck torque (worth buying a torque wrench now if you don't have one - for those gas station checks). This rap, plus the force of the lugnuts, might pull any moved inserts back into place. If you can actually see any moved inserts or feel any looseness - trash them. It's not worth the risk and you have not lived until you've been driving a vehicle and lose an entire wheel at speed.

DougM

 

[powdahbonz]

Well that's just $?!*&$ great

If there is a positive side to this, I only attempted to free the inserts on one wheel so fortunately, I may have limited my mistake and it was only 2 of the 6 openings. I guess I have a tough time seeing that there could structural damage to the wheel after that. I used a socket matched directly matched over the insert and rubber mallet. The torch wasn't staying lit so let go on that. If I could gone hog wild on every insert, than maybe.
Perhaps this one wheel just became a spare. From some of the responses, am I hearing correctly b/c of alittle pb blaster that I should can all 4??? I do have a torque wrench and know what you mean about a small dif. on the setting of the insert.

 

[powdahbonz]

If there is a positive side to this, I only attempted to free the inserts on one wheel so fortunately, I may have limited my mistake and it was only 2 of the 6 openings. Dan, how much am I looking at for 18 acorn style lugs and is that something that I can get thru you? I'm assuming that the thread on Mud showing the 2 diff. sizes, the acorn being 3/4 hex and 1.38 long w/ .610 head is the size I would need.

 

[Tools R Us]

... From some of the responses, am I hearing correctly b/c of alittle pb blaster that I should can all 4??? ...

PB Blaster wont damage wheels, you could soak them in it without issue.

 

[-Spike-]

You'll have to use your own common sense on this one. If you don't think you beat it hard enough to damage anything, use it. I would think a wheel would take a lot of abuse, but I don't know what you did to it.

-Spike

 

[powdahbonz]

testing inserts

For safety sake, I'll get an extra rim and the one I futzed with will be a spare. I tested the inserts, trying to move them but no dice. Up close looks w/ the common eye, I really can't see that there was any movement. I'm going to mount one wheel on tomorrow with Gorilla lugs that I got today to see if the acorn design will be a nice tight fit. Will torque them and remove and re-inspect the 2 inserts. I feel comfortable that it will be fine but everyones got me sweating like Elvis' last Vegas outing. I like living on the edge but having a donut blow off at high speed is something I'd like to pass on.

 

[sreyes1103]

I am missing 5 of these inserts on one of my wheels. Is there a way to replace them? Any help would be wonderful ! Lol other than buying a new wheel.

I did. just find lug inserts on eBay, but not sure the correct size and if they would fit. Anyone replaced these before?

 

[Kernal]

Might have better luck finding a used wheel, check your local salvage yards (car-part dot com). Some people who part out vehicles would likely have one but shipping could be expensive, but you can check out the Parting Out section of the Classifieds on this forum.