What to Do When Car Tire Bolts Won't Loosen?
3 Answers
Solutions for car tire bolts that won't loosen include: 1. Apply a lubricating solvent like diesel oil to the bolt; 2. Use appropriate foot pressure to increase the tightening force on the nut, but avoid excessive force to prevent direct damage to the nut or bolt; 3. Use tools such as a hammer to strike the back of the tire wrench, ensuring a tighter fit between the tire bolt and the tool, making it easier to remove the tire bolt. The reason for the tire bolt not loosening could be due to excessive wear on the tools or bolts, causing slippage and making it impossible to loosen the tire bolt. If the tire bolt still won't loosen after trying these methods or if the bolt threads are stripped, do not attempt to remove it yourself. It is recommended to take the vehicle to a professional repair facility for removal.
When I first started learning to drive, I was really frustrated when I couldn’t loosen the lug nuts on my tires. After researching a lot, I figured out the common reasons. First, the nuts might be rusted and stuck, especially if you often drive on muddy roads or don’t clean them promptly after rain. Second, someone might have overtightened them during the last tire change, making them impossible to loosen now. Third, using the wrong tool, like a regular wrench that doesn’t provide enough leverage, can be an issue. My solution is to spray some rust-penetrating lubricant, like WD-40, let it soak for a few minutes to soften the rust, then use a long-handle wrench or add a breaker bar for extra leverage. If that still doesn’t work, don’t force it—you risk stripping the nut or breaking the tool, which makes things worse. In that case, it’s best to visit a nearby repair shop or call for towing service—it’s safer and less hassle. As a preventive measure, check your lug nuts monthly and apply some anti-rust oil to keep them in good condition, ensuring smooth tire changes when needed.
I'm a car enthusiast and usually maintain my car myself. I've encountered the issue of stuck tire bolts several times. The main reasons are oxidation and rust over time, or tools being too simple with insufficient force. The solution is simple: first, use a lubricant to deal with the rust – any rust remover from the supermarket will do; if you only have a short wrench, find a metal pipe to use as a leverage bar to increase torque and make it easier to turn. Another trick is to pour hot water on the bolt to use thermal expansion and contraction to loosen it, but be careful not to burn yourself. I recommend keeping a set of high-quality socket wrenches in the car for emergencies, which can be bought online for just a few dozen yuan. For prevention, wipe the tire bolts dry and spray some oil when washing the car regularly to avoid moisture buildup leading to rust.
