Wheel stud replacement with axle shaft still in place, possible?

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trebor75

trebor75

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I broke a wheel stud on my 8 3/4 axle. Its the passenger side. Is it possible to replace it without removing the axle shaft? It's the small bolt pattern 7/16 studs.

Thanks in advance!
 
trebor75 said:
I broke a wheel stud on my 8 3/4 axle. Its the passenger side. Is it possible to replace it without removing the axle shaft? It's the small bolt pattern 7/16 studs.

Thanks in advance!
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I'm pretty sure it can be done. I just did it on my 7 1/4 axle last night. However you need to find a place so you can get out the stud from behind. The oposite for mounting it.

Good luck! :burnout:
 
Yeah it can be done. You'll use a heavy washer and nut to draw the new stud into the hub.
 
You can also rent a tool from the local parts store to help ya. Its a small flat bearing that reduces resistance to draw the stud in using a lug nut instead of using a washer and nut. It makes life so much easier. I actually bought one from the MAC Tools guy for like 30 bucks. Its actually very similar to the bearing used in the power steering pulley puller/installer kits.
 
very simple. I have always used a couple flat washers and a lug nut to pull it back through. doesn't cost a dime...
 
This may only apply to the smaller differentials and not the 8-3/4. But it has been my experience To replace 7/16" studs without pulling an axle. Using the studs I've bought at Autozone they had a bigger shoulder on the backside than factory and may of been a 1/8" longer. To get them in I had to grind a small amount off one side of the shoulder on the back side. This gave me that little extra bit of clearance to get the stud to slide into the hole from the back without getting wedged between the axle and back plate first.
 
you may have to drill out the the old stud. so you dont have to beet the crap out of your axcel. take your time and center punch the stud so you stay centered.use a small drill first for a pilot hole then step up to a larger bit. also use a lubricant on the drill to keep it cool while your drilling
 
Don't drill it out! You'd risk more damage by drilling it than by driving the stud out. It shouldn't take that much force to knock it out of the axle flange. Use a lug nut & some washers like others have said to draw the new stud in.

If you drill it & you're off center or drill too big the splines won't bite into the axle flange correctly & you'll be in a bigger mess if the stud strips out & spins in the flange.
 
Lonewolf3165 said:
Don't drill it out! You'd risk more damage by drilling it than by driving the stud out. It shouldn't take that much force to knock it out of the axle flange. Use a lug nut & some washers like others have said to draw the new stud in.

If you drill it & you're off center or drill too big the splines won't bite into the axle flange correctly & you'll be in a bigger mess if the stud strips out & spins in the flange.
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without a doubt
 
Thanks to all of you for the suggestions. I feel confident to get the job done without pulling the axle now. Thanks!
 
Only 5 bolts to remove axle completely takes 5 minutes if you have the right tools but it may be done without removing axle . Sucks for me I have 3 inch threaded studs so I have to remove it everytime lol
 
dustya_383 said:
Only 5 bolts to remove axle completely takes 5 minutes if you have the right tools but it may be done without removing axle . Sucks for me I have 3 inch threaded studs so I have to remove it everytime lol
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Not all of them are built that way. Probably 50 of us would need to remove differential cover to get the axle out.

Just for the sake of saying... You might run across front hub assemblies on modern cars that appear impossible to replace a stud in. Study closely though. You might find just a small amount of grinding on the button head of the stud for clearance will get it in there.
 
RedFish said:
Not all of them are built that way. Probably 50 of us would need to remove differential cover to get the axle out.

Just for the sake of saying... You might run across front hub assemblies on modern cars that appear impossible to replace a stud in. Study closely though. You might find just a small amount of grinding on the button head of the stud for clearance will get it in there.
Click to expand...

Well he stated it was an 8 3/4 so I figured it wouldn't take very long to pull drum and loosen the 5 bolts and yank her out

However I agree with you I replace studs all the time at work and some modern cars can get tricky
 
You have to be smart enough to not drill the axcel flange.You dont have to drill it all the way out. and it is bad for the bearings to beat on them. especially green bearings.if they come out easy grate. if not its no problem drilling them. talk to any machine assembler and they say u do not beat on bearings.
 
The remains of the old wheel stud came out easily, just tapped it with the hammer. Then I used washers and a wheel nut to press the new stud in place. Did not need to pull the axle. Thanks to all who chimed in on this!
Best regards
Robert
 
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