Wheel bolts/Studs stripped

[CarryMeBF]

At least two front passenger side wheel bolts are stripped. It was extremely hard to get the nuts off (after my flat tire) and I am presuming that it was firestone's fault. I got new tires there a couple months ago. I'm sure they probably over tightened them.

Anyway (01 Camry V6 - alloy wheels). What do I do? Where do I buy new bolts/studs and how do I replace these?

Also, I accidentally broke my small little hub cap that snaps into the center of the rim. Where do I find a replacement for that?

[JohnGD]

If that the last place you visited it's most likely true. Most of these places don't use torque wrenches. Maybe get your next set of tires from Costco? They use torque wrenches with a final check by the foreman.

You can get studs/nuts from the dealer, but parts stores carry the Dorman studs (~$2 each). Each shop usually doesn't carry more than 2-3, so you have to make a few trips to different stores. I would change out all 5 on each wheel because the others may have been stressed as well.

Use a persuader to knock them out while the hub is rotated in position for clearance. and put the wheel back on and torque to spec to seat the new ones.

Stores also carry lug nuts and specify by size, but you might want to get them from the dealer for the genuine look if that matters. Order the cap from the dealer as well. I'm not sure if the used wheel places sell them - some must have seen thousands as they auction the wheels from the junkyards.

If you don't already own a torque wrench check out Harbor Freight when on sale. Usually around $15 for a 1/2"-drive. I don't know why at least your Firestone doesn't use them, these are cheap enough.

[slavie]

You gotta take off the wheel and position the stud in question against the cutout in the backplate of the wheel (this is what that cutout is for). Then, a solid whack with a sledge hammer. Whack it hard, and it should pop-out on the first try (otherwise you'll flatten the stud, and it'll be even more difficult). Careful, though, as you don't want to miss and whack your brake disk.

Like JohnGD pointed out, local auto parts store should have then for a buck or two. Through only one out of 3 Autozones around had it (make them find it for you, as the other two had it in inventory system, but could not find it in store).

As for the hubcap, eBay/junkyard is your friend, unless you want to pay the stealership prices. Also, if you get a new one, it'll stand out from the others, so up to you which one you want to get.

Hope this helps.

[CarryMeBF]

Somebody said that some studs are welded on? Are the Toyota Camry studs welded? Either way, when I put new ones in, will it be difficult to put in, will they fit right in there and I won't have to do anything special?

I'm concerned because I only have one car, if I can't get the new one's on I am stuck.

[ajkalian]

Originally Posted by CarryMeBF

Somebody said that some studs are welded on? Are the Toyota Camry studs welded? Either way, when I put new ones in, will it be difficult to put in, will they fit right in there and I won't have to do anything special?

I'm concerned because I only have one car, if I can't get the new one's on I am stuck.

Whoever told you the studs are welded on is an idiot.

Here's what they look like. It's easy to replace them. Bang the old ones out, and insert the new ones, careful to align the serrated part in the hub with the new stud. Then get a spacer, a large socket, some pipe, a larger nut, as a spacer and put the spacer over the stud. With a lug nut, tighten the nut and pull the stud through until it's flush with the backing plate. You could also put the wheel on and torque it that way, although a spacer is better.

Note: For some reason the engineers at Toyota thought it would be a good idea to have two different length studs on the front and the rear. The rear's are 37mm and the front are 40mm. Me, I just ordered 40mm all the way around and replaced all of the ones on the front and rear. But then again I had an impact wrench, so it went pretty fast. The studs might be of a different length for you model year, and depending whether you have steel wheels or alloy.

It would be a good idea to get new lug nuts as well, all the way around.




.

[Chris Crash]

I wrote a DIY on how to do this, should be stickied.

DIY: Replace your wheel studs in a parking lot with limited tools

[xpeed]

Installing new wheel studs is pretty hard without proper tools. I could do it myself but I didn't have a torque wrench and correct sockets to do them. When I found out out three of my studs were stripped, I had my mechanic do it for me and it only cost me $80, which included three studs, new wheel lugs, and labor, which only took 30 minutes.

[carsrus]

Originally Posted by xpeed

Installing new wheel studs is pretty hard without proper tools. I could do it myself but I didn't have a torque wrench and correct sockets to do them. When I found out out three of my studs were stripped, I had my mechanic do it for me and it only cost me $80, which included three studs, new wheel lugs, and labor, which only took 30 minutes.

All you need is hammer and the basic sockets.... 10mm,12mm and 14mm and you can take apart 3/4 of your camry.

Its as simple as it gets. Use a lug nut to tighten the new stud down pretty good, then put on wheel and do a final tighten down. Torque wrench isnt really needed but its a safe way to make sure you dont over tighten.