wheel studs fell out

swisherred

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I have started taking apart my front suspension and pulled the front left wheel off only to find I could push out all the lugs in the hub with my finger. The splines in the hub are almost gone and the studs have been replaced with new ones (previous owner--im guessing he forgot they were lefties and broke them all off) My question is should I go to the junkyard and find another hub or is it ok to tack weld the studs into the existing hub from behind? (I am a certified welder) I also noticed that my drum came off with no problem....isnt it supposed to be attached to the hub somehow? the term swedged comes to mind. I have several cars in the junkyard to choose from.

1967 newport custom 383.
 
That's a tough call, but my mind would say replace the hub. I get nervous welding wheel and suspension components. But you know your craft. So it's up to you.

Not much help here.....lol
 
Replace the studs and the hub, the wheel studs are loose in the holes and will flex even if you weld them in. Not something you want to be thinking about driving down the road. If they are flexing, sooner or later the weld or the stud will fail. I would be worried about the effect of welding any suspension component that is critical and why take that chance.

Dave
 
Replace the studs and the hub, the wheel studs are loose in the holes and will flex even if you weld them in. Not something you want to be thinking about driving down the road. If they are flexing, sooner or later the weld or the stud will fail. I would be worried about the effect of welding any suspension component that is critical and why take that chance.

Dave
I assume this not acceptable.....LOL

20190404_171138.jpg
 
Might be a good excuse to convert to disc brakes in the front, unless you plan to keep the 14" rims. I love the 14" deep dish wheel covers, but your color selection for the new paint makes me think you'll be installing some fancier rims.

Jeff
 
I find a lot of things wrong here! How'd you get the lugs off if the studs were never secured? Your wheel would've never been secured and asking for a serious accident to happen? And I bet it drove and handled like crap too! Don't be a fool and fix it correctly weather you use left handed lugs or not! Good Luck
 
It drove fine...they don't turn in the holes...just enough spline to stop that but not if the nuts seize up later.
 
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The only other thing I can think of is they aren't the correct studs and lugs for the vehicle to begin with? Again, do it correctly so you know that it's correct and be done with it.
 
Those do not look like the correct studs, there shouldn't be any splines sticking through (at least not that much).
Track down the correct studs and see how they fit, the press fit should be good enough, reswedged isn't necessary (assuming a good pressed in fit).
They should not come out if you bump them putting the wheel on.


Alan
 
Ok....so before I go to the junk yard saturday...how do I know which studs are correct? How would I know what these are? Thank you for the help
 
ok...so the FSM shows several types of drums that could be on my car. How do i know what type i have? kelsey hayes, budd, motor wheel...and two different part numbered 2.75" drums...
 
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Replace the studs and the hub, the wheel studs are loose in the holes and will flex even if you weld them in. Not something you want to be thinking about driving down the road. If they are flexing, sooner or later the weld or the stud will fail. I would be worried about the effect of welding any suspension component that is critical and why take that chance.

Dave

Merely addressing the lug flexing here. Assuming the lugs are the correct ones;

The only way lugs are going to flex going down the road is if the lug nuts are loose. Otherwise they simply clamp the wheel to the hub when torqued properly.
 
the early chryslers had wheel studs swedged in with a small washers (with teeth)guys knocking out the old studs would sometimes bend the drums with all the hammering---previous owner probably oblivious to the need for the swedge....hence---loose studs....
 
Merely addressing the lug flexing here. Assuming the lugs are the correct ones;

The only way lugs are going to flex going down the road is if the lug nuts are loose. Otherwise they simply clamp the wheel to the hub when torqued properly.

I agree to a point, properly torqued and fitted studs should not flex. This particular hub has had the holes hollowed out, probably by running the incorrect studs. Welding replacement studs in is going to weaken both the studs and the hub. The studs are then still loose in the holes with the weight of the car riding on the welds instead of a press or swedged fit to the hub, this in turn will create a stress point that will eventually fail.

Dave
 
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