Removing A Broken Lug Nut

Sheared lug nut

While walking around the car the other day, I noticed something strange.  It looked like a lug nut was missing on one of my wheels.  Upon closer inspection, it was obvious that the top of the nut broke off.

The broken nut was a locking lug nut.  It is also possible that the nut was defective and had a crack in it...and while driving the vibrations weakened the nut and the top fell off. It is also possible that the last time the wheel was removed and replaced, the lug nut was over torqued and the top sheared off.  The key showed no damage and it still fits the other locking nuts.   But, there is damage to the powder coat of my whee.

Whatever.  I still have a problem here.  How am I going to remove this broken nut without damaging the wheel any further.  I did some research, and there were a few...I will just say 'options' to extracting to nut.  The best way was to get a twist socket lug removal system.

Twist socket lug nut removal set

Simple to use.  Basically a conical spiral that bites into the broken lug nut so you can twist it off.

One of the 'solutions' I found was to use a hammer and chisel turn a broken jug nut.  The idea was to place the chisel on the top of the nut and hammer it until the chisel bites.  This gives you leverage to, hopefully, spin the nut.  It works, I saw a video of it.  Obviously, there is opportunity to slippage when hammering and the chisel can cutting into your wheel.  Not a good option for someone as clumsy as me.

But, we will use a hammer for the twist socket set.

Hammer time

Hold on to that hammer, you will need it to tap the socket until it bites the lug nut.   On a side note, the above photo is totally staged...and staged poorly.  I mean, really, look how off I am. If  I really swung and hit the socket at the angle, we could be looking at more damage to the lug nut and wheel.

Anyway, it took only a few taps and the socket locked into place.  Also, look at the hammer.  I did not need to bring out the massive hammer.  This was an IKEA hammer that I used, seriously.  The conical spiral design makes sure that the socket will get a good grip on the broken nut.

Another 'solution' I found was to find a pipe that fits over the broken lug nut...then weld it onto the nut.  When use something to grip the pipe and apply torque to remove.  What?  Yeah, this has been done.  The trick is to get a wet rag and place it around the pipe so the heat from welding does not penetrate to your wheel.  Uh..no.  That just sounds crazy.  For one, I do not have (easy) access to a welder, and obviously, there is a better way.

Broken lug nut removed

So, once the socket is tapped in, take the breaker bar and twist off the bolt.  The spiral design allows the grooves of the socket to dig more into the nut.

The processes was way easier than I thought. It did not require a lot of elbow grease.  Much easier than the alternative methods I mentioned.  I am sure I bought a cheap version of this lug nut removal set, and I am sure there are professional versions that cost more than a month's rent. I got my kit from eBay for about $30, and was shipped to me in three days.

Bullet?

Totally random, but the socket leaves spiral grooves on the extracted nut, much like grooves on a bullet fired from a rifled barrel.  Check out the photo, looks like a evidence from a crime scene.

Replaced with regular lug nut

All that is left to replace the nut.  Luckily, I have extra lug nuts.  So, next time you have to extract a broken lug nut, forget those crazy methods that involve chisels and welding...get yourself a twist socket lug nut removal kit...or borrow one from a friend.

On to the next issues.

FUCK YOU, STOP CALLING ME - July 2017

We have all been getting telemarketing calls from random numbers.  But recently, a lot of us have been receiving calls from local numbers. I am sure you have seen some post from me regarding telemarketing calls from the 'Beverly Hills' area.  Apparently, this is called spoofing.  If your friends and family have numbers that differ from yours, they have most likely be receiving numbers from their same area code and prefix.  This is nothing new, but the telemarketers have upped their game in the last few months.

I am sure most of you are not answering calls from 'unknown' numbers or outside your contact list. This spoofing is obviously designed to catch you off guard.

1 July 2017

  310-849-5434  Beverly Hills, CA - First day of the month, and on a Saturday morning.   Fuck you!

6 July 2017
  310-849-9946  Beverly Hills, CA - I wish had this many friends from Beverly Hills.  Ah, the art of spoofing.  Its only accomplishment is being on a list of missed calls.  Fuck you!

11 July 2017
  310-849-9946  Beverly Hills, CA - Oh, a repeat caller.  This is interesting.  A spoofed number calling more than once.  I hope the person who actually owns this number knows that their number is being used...and that I am bashing it.  Nothing personal, buddy.  It is not you, it is the telemarketer system.  Fuck you!

17 July 2017
  815-244-6440  Minooka, IL - I kinda like the name 'Minooka', too bad it the town is tainted by telemarketers.

Minooka, IL

According to this robo call, I have been pre-approved for a loan.  Sweet!  Also, fuck you!

  301-469-3733  Bethesda, MD -  I know Bethesda.  The first time I heard about the name was in A Few Good Men.  Lt. Sam Weinberg mentions to Lt.Cmdr. JoAnne Galloway that "the team's playing Bethesda Medical next week".  Since I had not heard the name before, I thought he said "teams' play the Feds and Medicals next week".  So, I was quite excited when I got a call from Bethesda.  Maybe they want to schedule a softball game next week, who knows?

Alas, this is another telemarketing call.  Looks like they have abandoned (for now) the Beverly Hills phone numbers and going back to random numbers.  I wonder what city the next call will originate from.  Until then, fuck you!

19 July 2017
   323-375-5268  Los Angeles, CA - Oh, so we are back to Southern California calls.  Great!  Kinda disappointed, I was hoping for some 'exotic' city of origin, like Bethesda, or at least a call from different state.  Fuck you!

21 July 2017
  800-871-3984  Unknown - This one is good.  Apparently, this is supposed to be Microsoft calling to notify that Windows has expired and need to renew license.  They even use a 1-800 number to make it seem legit.  Good try, assholes.  Pretty sure Microsoft Windows licenses do not expire, I could be wrong.  Licenses will someday be out of date.  When that happens, you get an email, usually for a free upgrade.  Obviously, this is another scam to get your information.  Fuck you!

26 July 2017
  310-849-5294  Beverly Hills, CA - According to Whitepages.com, this number "appears to be a valid caller that presents practically no risk of scam or fraud".  Yeah, until those fucking telemarketers spoof the number. I am sure this is owned by someone legit.  Unfortunately, it has become victim to spoofing...as I am sure your number and my number as, or will be.  Fuck you!