What is the Wheel Stud all about?

When a tire is taken off of a vehicle to change it, the lug nuts are unfastened from the wheel studs. The wheel studs make it easier to mount a tire because they hold the tire in place instead of requiring a person to line up the holes and insert a bolt. Wheel studs come in two types: screw-in and press-in studs. Screw-in studs are screwed into a threaded hole in the vehicle hub. Press-in studs are installed from the back of the hub with the larger section splined so that it doesn’t rotate. When a wheel stud breaks or is damaged, the stability of the tire is compromised. If more than one stud breaks, it can cause the tire to wobble and make steering and driving difficult and unsafe.

Keep in mind:

• Wheel studs can either be damaged or stripped.
• Wheel studs that are installed incorrectly can cause the lug nut to fall off.
• It is possible to break the wheel studs if the lug nuts are tightened too much, which usually only happens if a power tool is used.
• If the lug nuts are too loose, the wheel can slam back and forth during braking and acceleration, which could also damage the wheel studs.

How it's done:

• The vehicle is raised and supported on jack stands and wheel is removed
• The hub is removed and defective studs are replaced
• The hub is reinstalled and tire is reinstalled
• The vehicle is removed from the jack stands
• The vehicle is road tested for proper operation

Our recommendation:

The wheel studs and all wheel parts should be inspected as a part of regular maintenance and during a tire rotation. In addition, you should check them when you change a flat tire or switch out your tires for any reason. If the wheel studs are damaged or worn, have them replaced by one of our expert mechanics to prevent damage to the vehicle.

What common symptoms indicate you may need to replace the Wheel Stud?

• Stud spins instead of holding in place
• One or more wheel studs is broken off or bent
• Threads are warped

How important is this service?

If the wheel studs break or warp, they will not hold the tire in place, which will cause it to wobble. The tire could fall off or blow out, causing an accident. Wheel studs should be inspected as part of regular maintenance, and replaced as soon as they are determined to be faulty.