GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

So it has finally happened. I wasn't paying attention to the setting on the torque wrench (put on the summer wheels for my Focus a week ago which requires 94 ft/lbs) and I thightened the lug nuts. One lug nut just kept turning and turning... grrr... So now I have to replace the stud. Does anyone have instructions on how this is done? Does the rotor have to be removed first? HELP!

only 94 ft/lbs. *shakes head* thats nuts!

yet another one that snapped off around 100lbs... I'm not understanding how they are overtorqued.

Quote, originally posted by Mavrik »yet another one that snapped off around 100lbs... I'm not understanding how they are overtorqued.Am I missing something? Is 100lbs some kind of a magic mark? Is this a common occurance? Or do we just get fed too much mad cow in Canada ?

Yes snapping at 100 lbs seems to be very common on the Vibe, kind of sensitive when 76 lbs is recommended. I've heard of it many times.

I guess I'm lucky my studs didn't snap when the shop torqued mine to over 150 lb/ft. It broke the meter on my torque wrench which had a max of 150 when I was trying to remove the lug nuts.

So after running around saturday trying to get a shop to fix the broken lug stud, I gave in and went to my local Toyota dealer (Pontiac dealer was closed for Easter weekend ) and picked up 2 studs in case I mess one up. Grand total of C$12. Popped off the front wheel, removed the caliper, hammered out the broken bolt using a socket wrench extension. Then I had some fun with putting in the new bolt. It took a bit of convincing with a hammer but finally managed to get the new stud into place. Used 4 keystone washers and one of the lugs to pull the stud through. Got all the installation details from this Focus site->http://www.focushacks.com/index.php?modid=44 ...except of course step #10. Torque to 76LBS! 76LBS!

Good job Nothing like the satisfaction of DIY.

thanks i just snaped a stud and your instructions were a great help

Don't feel bad, 94lbs is a little too much, but not entirely the cause of the problem. I snapped 4 of them over a 5 year period on my Ford Explorer. cheap lug studs.

Quote, originally posted by JustinVGT »I guess I'm lucky my studs didn't snap when the shop torqued mine to over 150 lb/ft. It broke the meter on my torque wrench which had a max of 150 when I was trying to remove the lug nuts. Why would you use a torque wrench to REMOVE anything?

The good news, even though they have a tendancy to snap... it's a cheap fix. I mean, at least you don't have to buy anyrthing major, just a large bolt, lol.Good DIY explination, now I know how easy it s.

One of the MAIN contributing factors in stretching or snapping a lug stud is, improper torque wrench setting (if your using one, which is VERY good for your brake rotors) NOT using a TW, or LUBING the threads with anti-seize or some other lubricant.. I made up a post regarding this in the Handling, Suspension, & Brakes area, it's well worth the read....