Reuse lug studs - yay or nay?

[Borrego]

Seems a bit overboard... Or maybe I'm just dumb... but I've never replaced them on any of my rigs. I had a 1968 4Runner that was purchased new and now has over 400k hard miles on it, and I never replaced them. My 2003 Tundra was purchased new has 250k miles and never replaced, my 100 series has 210k miles and never replaced... My 40 and 60 weren't purchased new, so I don't know if they've been replaced, but it's never crossed my mind to replace them unless they are broken. And with the exception of the 100, they are all 6 lug, so if one brakes, I have 5 others holding the wheel on. I don't think they are known for breaking unless a dumb kid at the tire box store cross threads them with the air gun. I'd just leave them alone.
Just my .02.

 

[lowenbrau]

Just a data point regarding anti-seize. Unless it is specifically recommended by the OEM, any evidence of lubrication on wheels studs will result in a fail on a vehicle inspection in Alberta. <Shrug> Not everyone thinks its a good idea. <Shrug>

 

[brownbear]

i never use anti seize and wont ever use it on studs or lug nuts. The main reason is I don’t want them coming loose. i live in the rust/salt hell and its never been an issue. If you put on a set a tires and keep them on for 50k miles you may have a rusted nut that wont come off. My tires are on and off twice a year. no issues with frequent removals.
The biggest fear of using anti-seize is getting it in the chamfered area (conical seat). As it will comprimise the torque and can come loose.

 

[brownbear]

speaking of the studs. what is the source and part mumber you ordered? Toyota or Napa etc. I actually want to get some too.

 

[Spook50]

speaking of the studs. what is the source and part mumber you ordered? Toyota or Napa etc. I actually want to get some too.

Well I WAS going to order from Norwalk Toyota because their prices are usually better than Partsouq after shipping (if they have the part) but DAMN they want $6.84 per stud!! I don't remember them being nearly that pricey 6 years ago even from the local dealer.

P/N is 90942-02053

 

[Randy88FJ62]

I lightly anti seize my studs and after reading up on it I guess I don't need to. I have been using hi temp anti seize and copper nuts on exhaust parts and that has been a lifesaver.

 

[Gretsch]

While lots of people re-use wheel studs after replacing a rotor, there's not an insignificant risk of possibly stripping the splines down the road when trying to remove a tight nut.
When the stud gets pressed (or pounded) in, the stud splines round off their sharp edges a tad. Then when removed, more of the same. Then when reinstalled... more of the same.
A re-used stud definitely doesn't have the same grip on the hub as a brand new one. Whether it'll strip and spin in the future when trying to repair a flat on the side of the highway is the million dollar question.
Rusty/high friction lug threads will increase the risk.


View attachment 2177404

This sort of thing was my fear when I replaced rotors this past summer. I went ahead and sprung for new studs. I was into things pretty deep at that point and figured I should just go the rest of the way and replace them. Checked out studs from dealer and as the OP mentions they were pricey. I don't have a press and while my original studs looked fine I pretty well destroyed them getting them out by beating on them. Tried to use a brass punch to get them out but they wouldn't budge without direct blows from a sledge. Got some nice aftermarket studs from Cruiser Outfitters which so far are great and were half the cost of OEM through dealer. HTH.

 

[Spook50]

Can't find any Toyota studs for less that what Norwalk is selling them for, sadly. And IIRC there's something about aftermarket studs that makes them not a good idea. Knurls not as pronounced or something like that?

 

[60Works]

I usually reuse studs unless I see a reason to replace them. Sometimes on a newly acquired vehicle I'll find that several studs on a hub have been stretched from over torquing. You can tell because some nuts will spin easy while others will feel crossthreaded. I will replace all 24 then because you can't trust any of them anymore.

Several years ago I purchased some studs from Toyota. They were 3/16" shorter than the original. Part number reduction I suppose. I decided that hammering in the originals back in was better than short replacements. I was running alloy wheels which are thicker and every thread mattered.

I live in the rust belt and use a light coating of anti-seize on all my cars and have never lost a lug.

 

[Spike Strip]

Are the Aftermarket ones @cruiseroutfit sells Japanese-made ?

Cruiser Outfitters

 

[Skniper]

Well I WAS going to order from Norwalk Toyota because their prices are usually better than Partsouq after shipping (if they have the part) but DAMN they want $6.84 per stud!! I don't remember them being nearly that pricey 6 years ago even from the local dealer.

P/N is 90942-02053

Just went out to find the receipt from my last OEM stud purchase with no luck, IIRC they weren’t cheap for a bolt, x12 adds up quick.
I did new acorn nuts too at the time.$

I’ve reused studs a few times before but was doing a complete refresh last time I replaced rotors. Now I have backups in the spare box that I won’t hesitate to use if needed.

Felt so much better using a press on the new studs than the hammer/drift used previously.

 

[mongoose2231]

I am in the middle of a front axle rebuild, replacing rotors snd so on. Will be re-using studs.