How to Replace a Wheel Stud in a Mitsubishi Lancer
by Grace Mclain
The wheel studs on the Mitsubishi Lancer model cars are the main components that hold the wheels to the wheel hub assembly. The wheels are attached to the wheel studs by lug nuts. When the lug nuts are tightened with a lug wrench or a tire tool, the lug nuts compress to the the facing of the wheel rim. The wheel studs withstand a lot of pressure from the tight wheel and from the weight of the vehicle. If the wheel studs break, they will need to be replaced.
Step 1
Park the Mitsubishi Lancer in a safe working area. Pull the emergency brake out.
Step 2
Remove the hub cap from the wheel with the broken stud with a flat-head screwdriver. Slide the screwdriver between the rim and the hub cap and pry the cap off the rim.
Step 3
Slide the end of the lug wrench onto the lug nuts and loosen the lug buts by turning them counterclockwise. Do not remove the lug nuts. Only loosen them.
Step 4
Jack the area of the Lancer up that has the broken wheel stud and place a jack stand under the nearest jacking point. Then, carefully lower the Lancer onto the jack stand. Leave the jack upright and in place also as a extra safety measure.
Step 5
Finish removing all of the lug nuts from the wheel with the lug wrench. Place the lug nuts in a safe place and pull the wheel off. Set the wheel down so that it does not roll away.
Step 6
Locate the brake caliper that is mounted to the side of the brake rotor. Remove the two top and bottom mounting bolts in the rear of the caliper with the ratchet and a socket.
Step 7
Pull the caliper off the brake rotor and hang it to the nearest component with the bungee cord so that it does not hang from the brake line.
Step 8
Slide the brake rotor off the wheel hub and set it to the side. Now that the wheel studs are fully exposed, screw a lug nut onto the wheel stud that you want to replace. Screw the lug nut onto the wheel stud until the threads on the stud begin to come out the back of the nut.
Step 9
Hit the end of the lug nut with the rubber mallet until the lug nut pushes out of the back side of the wheel hub. Remove the lug nut from the wheel stud and pull the wheel stud out from the rear of the wheel hub.
Step 10
Match the splines on the new wheel stud up with the spline grooves inside of the wheel stud hole on the rear of the wheel hub. Push the new wheel stud into the hole and hammer it into place with the rubber mallet. Make sure that the head of the new wheel stud is flush with the back side of the wheel hub when you are finished. Then, reverse the above steps for putting the brake caliper and the wheel back on.
References
Tips
- If the wheel stud is broken, use a large center punch to hammer out the broken wheel stud. Stick the end of the center punch onto the end of the broken wheel stud and hammer the stud with the rubber mallet until it pushes out the rear of the wheel hub.
- When installing the wheel back onto the wheel studs, the new wheel stud will screw in more than the others. Continue to turn the lug nut on the new wheel stud until the lug nut stops turning.
Things You'll Need
- Flat-head screwdriver
- Lug wrench
- Jack
- Jack stands
- Pry bar
- 1/2-inch drive ratchet
- 1/2-inch drive socket set
- Bungee cord
- Rubber mallet
- New wheel studs
Warnings
- Use extreme caution when working under a car that is sitting on jack stands.
Writer Bio
Grace Mclain has been writing professionally since 1998. Her articles have appeared on eHow.com, Answerbag.com and LIVESTRONG.COM, and she specializes in automotive and business topics. McIain has a professional writing certificate from JB Hunt in Little Rock, Ark.
