Best Stripped Lug Nut Sockets?

[HomeTheaterMan]

I tried searching, but couldn't find anything recent. I have a rounded lug nut on my truck. Any opinions on the best tool to get thus off? I've been looking at the extractor sockets, but there are lots of options out there. Any opinions on them?

If there is a better tool, I'm open to that too.

 

[LogiLuddite]

Hammer next size down or use half-millimeter sockets.

 

[djbmw]

There's also lug nut extractor sets that you can buy,... but thats only necessary if you work on vehicles that consistently have corroded or mangled lugs. If this is a one-off then beat a smaller socked on and giv-er.

 

[dukefx]

If the above mentioned methods don't work I believe GripEdge (and various SBD companies) has probably the best sockets but most others should do just fine for a single use.

A more detailed description would have been nice tho, or at least a photo. Knowing how much access there is or how much torque is needed to loosen would have helped for even more non-specialty tool suggestions.

 

[shawhite]

I’m going to put this right here

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Depends whays wrong with it. Turbo sockets and the Astro flank bite work okay, and so do the spiral style from the parts store despite being almost single use. They need installed with a sledge first to make sure they grab as far down as possible.

Typically I find if I'm the first person to attempt, it can be removed. If someone already spun 2 or 3 different sizes on it, they turn into a cone and you're basically stuck drilling it out.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I have a lug nut removal set. I think they came from HF.

 

[cherrybomb]

Get us a picture, so our knowledgeable members can help you,a size of the healthy fastener would be nice also

 

[rust in the eye]

The method and tool you use will depend on clearance. If the nut is in a close fitting bore of an alloy wheel some of the extractor sockets may not fit.
Hammering on a sacrificial 12 pt. socket often works.

 

[HomeTheaterMan]

Here's what I'm dealing with. I have a decent amount of room, but it's pretty rounded off. I already tried to hammer a slightly smaller 6 point standard sized socket on, but that didn't work. An extractor socket would definitely be preferable, but I don't know if it'll work in this case since I've never used them.

How are you all drilling them out? Seems like it would have to cut into the wheel before you got the nut off?

https://imgur.com/1MaC4JB

 

[djbmw]

If you tighten the other lug nuts down then it should relieve pressure on this mangled one.. allowing it to come off easier. Try a smaller socket first.. then a 12 point... then get those spiral lug nut removers.

 

[rust in the eye]

Are those even the correct lug nuts?
Judging by the witness marks on the wheel from the socket previously tried there was little engagement possible on the hex. Seems to me the tapered seat of the nut is too small.
Are you able to remove any of the others and show us the nut and then also the stud and seat for the nut on that wheel?

 

[BrandonV]

I've had good luck with this set.

Universal Locking Lug Nut Removal Set

Amazing deals on this Locking Lug Nut Universal Removal Set at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

Only time it didn't work was when I was hammering away at the left side of a old Mopar on a "seized" lug nut.

 

[nicks78camaro]

If a one off situation hammer on the next size smaller, believe it or not sometimes helps to hammer on a 12 point next size smaller.

Or you could get a set like this. Lots of different ones on Amazon

Coobeast Deep Bolt Extractor Kit, 16Pcs Bolt Extractor Socket Set for Rounded Lug Nut, Damaged Stud, Rusted Spark Plug, Broken Stripped Bolts, Removal Tool with Convert Adapter https://a.co/d/09HZcwAV

 

[Hohn]

I bought some RocketSocket knock offs from Amazon that have frankly been amazing. They are as good as the real deals as far as I can tell and work exactly the same way.

Amazon.com

They have a separate set of 6 or so for lug nut sizes and they work brilliantly. Definitely one of those "feels like cheating" tools. Tap on the socket, hit it with the impact gun in reverse. Done.

 

[Mick56]

I have drilled a couple that I could not get out. Used a bit about the size of the lug, probably like a 7/16 or so. A sharp bit goes pretty fast, the lug and nut are not hardened.

 

[tak1313]

Luckily, it's only happened to me once. When it did, I tried metric and sae sockets that I already have from my "good stock" to find one that felt like it was just small enough to bite while just large enough to pound onto the nut.

I then went to either Autozone or Advance (don't remember which), and bought a single socket that size.

I then pounded it on and took the nut off, knowing that it was tight enough that I would likely not be able to get the nut out without damaging the socket, so threw it our 'as is.'

 

[zendriver]

Looking rusty, I'm guessing it's stuck on there pretty good so might be likely, whatever you turn it with will fail.

This looks interesting rather than a drill bit, that will work, but I found to be pretty nightmarish.

 

[zendriver]

I personally would hit it with my induction bolt heater.

Best tool money ever spent.

 

[cherrybomb]

I'm hoping you fix your problem.This is a good lesson for the gang here.Check your removal tool,I don't like the one that usually comes with the vehicle. Tire shops hammer them on,the vehicle tool is usually not up to the task.Its not wise to put a slightly damaged lug back on.If that were to happen along the road,a bad situation. Good luck,the pictures were helpful

 

[Rusted Nut]

Amazon.com

Irwin Bolt Extractor sockets

 

[retDAC]

Never tried this myself, but some years ago a member stated he used to remove damaged or security lug nuts by getting them to "9 o'clock" or "3 o'clock", dropping the car, raising again, rotating 180 degrees, dropping again, raising/rotating/dropping over and over. IIRC he said it takes about an hour.

Of course you only do this with the other lug nuts removed.

 

[rust in the eye]

I found a Craigslist ad today for a fellow giving away his Ford "swollen" lug nuts after paying for new ones:

(20) lug nuts M14x1.5 for Lincoln MKX Ford Edge 20" wheels ACPZ-1012-D - free stuff - craigslist

(20) lug nuts for Lincoln MKX/Ford Edge/many other Ford/Lincoln vehicles. Part number ACPZ-1012-D or ACPZ-1012-M, M14x1.5. Lincoln said they were "swollen", but I think that was BS just to try to...

chicago.craigslist.org

 

[HomeTheaterMan]

Well, I got this thing off thanks to the Maddox Universal Locking Lug Nut Removal set from Harbor Freight.

First I ordered the Astro 7404 damaged lug nut socket set, which claims it'll remove 90% of rounded lug nuts. This tool was completely useless and one of the least impressive tools I've ever bought. I wish I had just completely skipped it. I'm really disappointed in Astro here for the way they advertise these. It didn't even try to grip or dig into the lug nut.

At this point, before trying to drill the stud, I decided to go get the Maddox set at Harbor Freight and give them a try. It fight tightly, dug into the lug nut as it turned, and pulled the lug nut right off. I had it off in seconds. I was very impressed and should have just gone to HF first.

 

[HomeTheaterMan]

Amazon.com

Irwin Bolt Extractor sockets

These are basically the same style as the set I got from Harbor Freight. They'd likely have worked as I believe that style is what is needed. Unfortunately I needed a 21mm, which that kit doesn't have. I couldn't get one anywhere locally that I know of after the Astro didn't work, so I just decided to give the HF set a try.

 

[HomeTheaterMan]

I've had good luck with this set.

Universal Locking Lug Nut Removal Set

Amazing deals on this Locking Lug Nut Universal Removal Set at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

Only time it didn't work was when I was hammering away at the left side of a old Mopar on a "seized" lug nut.

Thank you! That's the set I used. It worked great. This just happened to be on a Mopar too. I should have just gotten these from the start.

 

[BrandonV]

Thank you! That's the set I used. It worked great. This just happened to be on a Mopar too. I should have just gotten these from the start.

Glad to hear it worked out. Tools I consider "disposable" like lug nut removers are a great buy at a place like HF.