Lug nuts won't budge

idy-amin · 11-23-2008, 01:36 PM

Ok, so I am replacing my stock wheels and tires for the winter and all is going well, then I tried to get the passenger front wheel off. The lugs won't budge. All the other ones came right off with my impact wrench, but all the ones on the front right will not move at all. Any ideas? I am currently stuck with one odd rim and can't drive the car. I even used a 150ft/lb torque wrench in reverse and they didn't budge.
Please help.
Thanks

SoCalTech · 11-23-2008, 02:18 PM

Have you tried using a breaker bar?

GregL · 11-23-2008, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCalTech

Have you tried using a breaker bar?

+1 The breaker bar I use is twice as long as my torque wrench, allows much more leverage.

RyBMW · 11-23-2008, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by idy-amin

Ok, so I am replacing my stock wheels and tires for the winter and all is going well, then I tried to get the passenger front wheel off. The lugs won't budge. All the other ones came right off with my impact wrench, but all the ones on the front right will not move at all. Any ideas? I am currently stuck with one odd rim and can't drive the car. I even used a 150ft/lb torque wrench in reverse and they didn't budge.
Please help.
Thanks

I have the same problem this saturday. I posted about it also. With no replies here but got some replies on bimmerfest. Is your car a E92/3? One of the members on bimmerfest had the same exact problem we have.

Where and when was your car built?

Here's my post:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=188046

uberschnell · 11-23-2008, 03:10 PM

First, to keep from stripping the bolt it's a 2-man operation. Start by driving the car and heating up the rotor assembly. Next get a large enough breaker bar (3ft+), you can use a section of pipe slid over the breaker bar shaft to accomplish this. Next, have one person put pressure squarely and directly over the socket. This will keep the socket square on the bolt and prevent it from stripping. You can use hands, or if they are scared have them hold with their feet. Apply slow steady pressure pushing the bar away from yourself.

Also, never use a torque wrench to break loose a nut, especially a click type. No better way to screw one up.

John 070 · 11-23-2008, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magna3

First, to keep from stripping the bolt it's a 2-man operation. Start by driving the car and heating up the rotor assembly. Next get a large enough breaker bar (3ft+), you can use a section of pipe slid over the breaker bar shaft to accomplish this. Next, have one person put pressure squarely and directly over the socket. This will keep the socket square on the bolt and prevent it from stripping. You can use hands, or if they are scared have them hold with their feet. Apply slow steady pressure pushing the bar away from yourself.

Also, never use a torque wrench to break loose a nut, especially a click type. No better way to screw one up.

All good tips, but if it takes that much force, I'd have the dealership remove them. After all, it's a relatively new car...mine were all hand tightened or sao, I assume from the factory...

mitch335xi · 11-23-2008, 03:36 PM

Just did mine this morning. I'm in Bucks County, where you at? I'll get them off for you

Breaker bar FTW!

idy-amin · 11-23-2008, 04:25 PM

Thanks for the tips.. I am going to use a breakerbar, but I don't have one at the moment. Need to make a trip to sears tomorrow in the wifes car.
I live in East Fallowfield.
My car was built this year and picked up in Germany on June 16th.
Out of curiosity, they don't reverse the threading on any of the wheels do they? I don't think so, but just wanted to make sure.

Rotary Rasp · 11-23-2008, 04:37 PM

I'm pretty sure this car has lug bolts, not lug nuts.

idy-amin · 11-23-2008, 06:56 PM

you are correct that they are lug bolts, not lug nuts, its just a habit to say lug nuts rather than lug nuts.
I hope I can get that last wheel off and changed over tomorrow so I can drive my car again.

11-23-2008, 01:36 PM	#1
idy-amin Private First Class 3 Rep 124 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: HSV iTrader: (2) Garage List 2008 335i [0.00]	Lug nuts won't budge Ok, so I am replacing my stock wheels and tires for the winter and all is going well, then I tried to get the passenger front wheel off. The lugs won't budge. All the other ones came right off with my impact wrench, but all the ones on the front right will not move at all. Any ideas? I am currently stuck with one odd rim and can't drive the car. I even used a 150ft/lb torque wrench in reverse and they didn't budge. Please help. Thanks
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11-23-2008, 02:18 PM	#2
SoCalTech Captain 24 Rep 648 Posts Drives: Not a BMW yet... Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Redondo Beach, Ca iTrader: (0)	Have you tried using a breaker bar?
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11-23-2008, 03:10 PM	#5
uberschnell Brigadier General 675 Rep 4,080 Posts Drives: Wide Body 1 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (48)	First, to keep from stripping the bolt it's a 2-man operation. Start by driving the car and heating up the rotor assembly. Next get a large enough breaker bar (3ft+), you can use a section of pipe slid over the breaker bar shaft to accomplish this. Next, have one person put pressure squarely and directly over the socket. This will keep the socket square on the bolt and prevent it from stripping. You can use hands, or if they are scared have them hold with their feet. Apply slow steady pressure pushing the bar away from yourself. Also, never use a torque wrench to break loose a nut, especially a click type. No better way to screw one up.
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11-23-2008, 03:36 PM	#7
mitch335xi New Member 0 Rep 12 Posts Drives: Dinan stg1 335XI mt Join Date: May 2008 Location: Unknown iTrader: (0)	Just did mine this morning. I'm in Bucks County, where you at? I'll get them off for you Breaker bar FTW!
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11-23-2008, 04:25 PM	#8
idy-amin Private First Class 3 Rep 124 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: HSV iTrader: (2) Garage List 2008 335i [0.00]	Thanks for the tips.. I am going to use a breakerbar, but I don't have one at the moment. Need to make a trip to sears tomorrow in the wifes car. I live in East Fallowfield. My car was built this year and picked up in Germany on June 16th. Out of curiosity, they don't reverse the threading on any of the wheels do they? I don't think so, but just wanted to make sure.
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11-23-2008, 04:37 PM	#9
Rotary Rasp Lieutenant Colonel 241 Rep 1,857 Posts Drives: 2009 E92 335i 6MT Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: SoCal - Torrance iTrader: (6)	I'm pretty sure this car has lug bolts, not lug nuts.
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11-23-2008, 06:56 PM	#10
idy-amin Private First Class 3 Rep 124 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: HSV iTrader: (2) Garage List 2008 335i [0.00]	you are correct that they are lug bolts, not lug nuts, its just a habit to say lug nuts rather than lug nuts. I hope I can get that last wheel off and changed over tomorrow so I can drive my car again.
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