What to Do When Lug Nuts Won't Budge?
3 Answers
You can pour a lubricating solvent like diesel onto the lug nuts; You can also use some foot force to increase the tightening level of the nuts, but avoid kicking blindly as it may cause direct damage to the nuts or bolts; You can use tools like a hammer to tap the rear of the tire wrench, ensuring a tighter fit between the lug nuts and the tool.
As someone who frequently works on my own car repairs, I've encountered the issue of stuck screws, usually caused by rust or over-tightening. The solution is to first spray some rust penetrant like WD-40 and let it soak for 5-10 minutes to soften the rust. Then try with a wrench; if it still doesn't work, you can use a cheater bar on the wrench for extra leverage, or gently tap the wrench handle with a hammer to help loosen it. Remember not to force it too hard, as you might damage the threads or hurt your wrist. If all methods fail, don't push yourself—seek help or take it to a repair shop. For regular tire maintenance, applying some lubricant to the screws periodically can prevent this situation. Safety first: always ensure the car is on level ground and properly secured with a jack before working to avoid accidents.
Last week when changing tires, I had a stuck bolt and was sweating bullets. Then I remembered a trick I learned online: drip some kitchen cooking oil on the bolt and let it sit for 15 minutes to penetrate. After that, I extended the wrench with a steel pipe, stepped on it with full force, and suddenly it loosened! It really worked. My advice is to start simple: check if the bolt and wrench match, don't use the wrong size. If it's severely rusted, try heating the bolt with a heat gun (but be careful not to burn yourself). If that still doesn't work, ask a friend for help or call a tow truck mechanic. Don't be afraid to seek help for small issues like this - safety comes first. Forcing it might damage your tools or even hurt yourself.
