Which way to loosen a stuck spare tire bolt, left or right?
2 Answers
When the spare tire bolt won't budge, turn it counterclockwise (left) to loosen. Solutions for overly tight tire bolts: If you find the tire bolt too tight to loosen, the most straightforward solution is to get someone to help. Alternatively, you can apply a lubricating solvent like diesel to the bolt. You can also carefully use your foot to increase leverage, but avoid kicking blindly as this may damage the nut or bolt. Tire bolt tightening/loosening sequence: Always follow a diagonal pattern when loosening or tightening tire bolts. Turn each bolt a few turns before moving to the next one, rather than fully loosening or tightening a single bolt at once. Continue this pattern until all bolts are uniformly loosened or tightened.
That last flat tire really screwed me over. When changing the tire, I twisted the lug nuts until my arms ached but they wouldn't budge. Here's a pro tip: 99% of passenger car lug nuts loosen counterclockwise. Back then, I had to hammer the wrench joint to remove rust, sprayed half a can of WD-40 lubricant into the threads, waited about ten minutes before putting the wrench back on, and finally loosened them by kicking the wrench with all my might. Always remember wheel lug nuts use reverse thread design - forcing them the wrong way might strip all the threads. If you really can't manage, just call for roadside assistance. I later bought a cross wrench with extension arm for my trunk - makes the job way easier.
