Sponsored

Help with stripped lug nut

Barchetta

Well-Known Member
First Name
Max
Joined
Sep 18, 2023
Threads
7
Messages
99
Reaction score
139
Location
Franklin NC
Vehicle(s)
24 JLRX Firecracker 3.6L; (sold) 02 TJ Sahara 2DR
Clubs
 
2024 JLR; OEM wheels.
I was careless with my socket trying to loosen my lug nuts for a tire rotation. Got the socket cockeyed a bit and - voila - I stripped the lug nut. I'm learning to my horror that there is some thin metal casing around the actual nut part that is more malleable than one would hope.

1. What is the best way to remove this stuck nut now? I can get an open end on it but that just seems to be warping this metal casing further vs actually loosening the nut.
2. What are the better lug nut options that are actually solid?
Thanks

Jeep Wrangler JL Help with stripped lug nut Lug Nut
Sponsored

 

Stagger Lee

Member
Joined
Mar 13, 2025
Threads
0
Messages
7
Reaction score
8
Location
Midwestern US
Vehicle(s)
2025 Willys JL in '41
The last time this happened to me a friend with a shop welded a nut to it and was able to get it off.

Solid lugs are the way to go when replacing them. Especially if you live where they use road salt. I used McGard solid lugs on my JK.
 

jadmt

Well-Known Member
First Name
jeff
Joined
May 19, 2020
Threads
78
Messages
5,104
Reaction score
9,723
Location
montana
Vehicle(s)
2024 wrangler rubicon w/AEV 2.5 dualsport lift
loosen the other 4 and just pound the socket onto the damaged one and it should come off. Gorilla brand are cast solid nuts.
 

Jeepula

Active Member
Joined
Jul 28, 2024
Threads
3
Messages
31
Reaction score
8
Location
Socal
Vehicle(s)
24 Jl Rubicon X 4xe
You can buy a 22.5mm lug nut socket for swollen lug nuts or hammer 12 point on it, sometimes moving to a SAE socket such as 7/8 might work as well
 
Last edited:
OP
OP
Barchetta

Barchetta

Well-Known Member
First Name
Max
Joined
Sep 18, 2023
Threads
7
Messages
99
Reaction score
139
Location
Franklin NC
Vehicle(s)
24 JLRX Firecracker 3.6L; (sold) 02 TJ Sahara 2DR
Clubs
 
Thanks everyone. With some WD40, I was able to hammer on a 7/8" socket and break it loose. Get me to the solid lug nut store!
 

Sponsored

azjl#3

Well-Known Member
First Name
Scott
Joined
Sep 24, 2022
Threads
17
Messages
3,046
Reaction score
3,690
Location
North AZ
Vehicle(s)
2024 silver zenith or atomic silver. JLUR Extreme Recon-ish
Occupation
retired, grumpy, yet, friendly
wrap some tinfoil around it until socket just barely fits, then wrap one more layer and hammer socket onto lug, walla. But, it may be hard to get the nut out of the socket, so loss of socket, dont use a snap on one.
 
OP
OP
Barchetta

Barchetta

Well-Known Member
First Name
Max
Joined
Sep 18, 2023
Threads
7
Messages
99
Reaction score
139
Location
Franklin NC
Vehicle(s)
24 JLRX Firecracker 3.6L; (sold) 02 TJ Sahara 2DR
Clubs
 
wrap some tinfoil around it until socket just barely fits, then wrap one more layer and hammer socket onto lug, walla. But, it may be hard to get the nut out of the socket, so loss of socket, dont use a snap on one.
I thought I'd lose the socket forever, but it was 1/2" drive socket so I was able to pound out the lug nut using a 3/8" drive extension. Win-win. Curious why you say to not use a snap-on...are you saying the tinfoil might jam up the snap release?
 

azjl#3

Well-Known Member
First Name
Scott
Joined
Sep 24, 2022
Threads
17
Messages
3,046
Reaction score
3,690
Location
North AZ
Vehicle(s)
2024 silver zenith or atomic silver. JLUR Extreme Recon-ish
Occupation
retired, grumpy, yet, friendly
snap on, as in Snap-on tools, the Cadillac of tools, very expensive. Use throw away sockets for stuff like this.
 

Sponsored

OP
OP
Barchetta

Barchetta

Well-Known Member
First Name
Max
Joined
Sep 18, 2023
Threads
7
Messages
99
Reaction score
139
Location
Franklin NC
Vehicle(s)
24 JLRX Firecracker 3.6L; (sold) 02 TJ Sahara 2DR
Clubs
 
snap on, as in Snap-on tools, the Cadillac of tools, very expensive. Use throw away sockets for stuff like this.
Ah - got it!
 
OP
OP
Barchetta

Barchetta

Well-Known Member
First Name
Max
Joined
Sep 18, 2023
Threads
7
Messages
99
Reaction score
139
Location
Franklin NC
Vehicle(s)
24 JLRX Firecracker 3.6L; (sold) 02 TJ Sahara 2DR
Clubs
 
Thanks everyone. With some WD40, I was able to hammer on a 7/8" socket and break it loose. Get me to the solid lug nut store!
So I ended up buying Gorilla lug nuts. Very happy with them; much more sturdy. A couple things...
I'd recommend Gorilla part number 66148FS. The FS stands for Factory Style and is important. I initially bought (plain) 66148 and those are a different look than the OEM nuts and do not work with the spare tire camera cover. The FS version much more closely matches the OEM ones. Although 66148FS are taller than OEM, they do in fact still work with the spare tire camera cover on my Rubicon OEM wheels. They are a solid piece and don't suffer from that silly OEM "cap" that I stripped. I bought them from Leet Auto on eBay and they were GREAT to deal with even with the return for the FS version I wanted.

The issued lug wrench fits them fine although, since they are taller, the issued wrench doesn't completely seat onto the nut. I bought a deep socket and the Gorilla Telescoping Power Wrench to more easily take them off on the side of the road somewhere. It comes with a vinyl bag to reduce clanging and fits fine in the standard jack location. A 7/8" socket fits 66148FS.. You could also use a 22mm socket which fits a little more tightly; I stuck with 7/8" to allow for dirt, swelling etc.

Jeep Wrangler JL Help with stripped lug nut IMG_6674


Jeep Wrangler JL Help with stripped lug nut IMG_6699


Jeep Wrangler JL Help with stripped lug nut IMG_6702


Jeep Wrangler JL Help with stripped lug nut IMG_6701


Jeep Wrangler JL Help with stripped lug nut IMG_6703


Jeep Wrangler JL Help with stripped lug nut IMG_6704


Jeep Wrangler JL Help with stripped lug nut IMG_6706
 

JINO

Well-Known Member
First Name
Jino
Joined
Jan 18, 2023
Threads
68
Messages
1,417
Reaction score
1,916
Location
Socal
Vehicle(s)
2021 jlurd
Thanks everyone. With some WD40, I was able to hammer on a 7/8" socket and break it loose. Get me to the solid lug nut store!
Luckily I keep extra lugs in my jeep.
I bought some black lugs before I bought my wheels, but then they sent me free lugs. So I have a bunch of extras.
I had to remove the locking lugs (was a pain).
Sponsored

 
 







Top