Lug nuts on tires - can't get them off (best, replace, car)

[robertpasa]

I was trying to loosen the lug nuts on my tires to see if I could do it. I used the small L-shaped wrench that comes with the car. Couldn't loosen them at all.

I bought a 20-inch X-shaped wrench and now a couple lugs will move but most of them won't move at all.
(I'm not a really strong person.)

I've read that you can try WD-40 but how would the WD-40 seep into areas that would help?

Can you suggest anything apart from getting a power wrench?

Some people say you should tap or hit the lugs. Why would that help? People do that to open a food jar. Don't know why it works.

If you use your foot or a hammer can you do this with the x-shaped wrench, or would you need a longer object attached to the wrench?

Somebody changed these tires a few months ago so it can't be due to age.

[KemBro71]

You're not trying with the car already jacked up I hope?

[unit731]

What's the point?

Find a friend who is stronger.

WD-40, Liquid Wrench, etc. may help.

Join AAA or some other service as you may have an issue if you do get a flat tire.

Do find yourself a good local honest mechanic/shop.

[Nodpete]

Try some penetrating oil on the lugs. Let it soak overnight. Then try to tighten this may break it loose, then loosen.

[Coldjensens]

Get a bigger 4 way lug tool. Put a foot on one end and you hands on the other. Use your weight to push down while pulling up with you arms.



If you have aluminum wheels and steel studs/lugs you may not be able to break them free. Take it to a shop and have them put an impact gun on it. Sometimes you have to cut them off but that is rare.

[robertpasa]

It's not jacked up. I was just doing this to see if I could do it.

I just tried pushing on the wrench with my foot and the weight of my body, and hitting it with a mallet. Didn't work.

I saw some videos of a guy standing on the l-shaped wrench and it worked. I do belong to AAA.

[turf3]

Get a 6 foot length of pipe that fits over the handle of your lug wrench.

[Mr78609]

First. where they put on with an air wrench and not checked for the proper torque ? Never use an air wrench to torque the nuts down. The best way is to use a tight fitting 6 point impact socket attached to a 3 foot breaker bar. This will remove them 100% of the time or break the studs off . As already said be sure the car weight is on the tire when you pry down on the breaker bar.

[trlhiker]

I use a socket and a 1/2 inch ratchet wrench and then a 3 foot metal pipe and then use my foot to loosen it. Works all the time.

[HJ99]

Lot of four way lug wrenches are Chinese anymore and not particularly strong. Put pipe over them and probably bend/twist them. I did that with a very heavy duty looking four way on my ancient F250 (8 lugs). I bought 3/4 inch drive breaker bar and proper 3/4 drive socket to fit the nut. This didnt bend with pipe over handle. Before using it you do want to clean the threads outside the nut and lube them, so when nut breaks loose it doesnt seize on rusty threads further out nor strip threads. ATF used in small oil squirt can is good lube. Just cheapest ATF you find, version of ATF not important used like this.


Oh before reinstalling nuts, clean ALL threads with wire brush and coat threads with anti-seize and also inside of the nut. This will help a lot in future.


I am guessing unless your lug nuts exposed, that your problem is probably some tire shop using air tool. They usually go beyond suggested torque suggested by manufacturer. They are more afraid nut coming off and getting sued than of getting it too tight and some future shop snapping it and having to replace the lug bolt.