29 replies to this topic

[ClassicAlex]

Hey fellow mini fans

 

I am trying to remove the front wheels of my '91 rover mini cooper, I have managed to get the left wheel off but having great difficulties getting the right wheel off at the wheel nuts are slipping, was hoping to get some help with this please.

 

The reason for removing the wheels is to remove the drivetrain from the engine, to be able to remove the engine of the car for a overhaul.

 

Thanks

[stevearch0]

When you say slipping, do you mean inside the socket/wheelbrace or on the threads of the studs themselves?

[Spider]

Is the wheel stud spinning?

 

Bugger when that happens. Depending on the wheels you have, you maybe able to break the stud, or if you can't do that, rotate the wheel so that the crook stud is 'trailing', then you should be able to get a tack weld on the head of it, quite fiddly and you'll ideally want a hoist, ramps, or maybe stands to get at it.

 

I'd suggest once the wheel is off, replacing the drive flange, all the studs and nuts. It may have ended up that way by constantly over-tightening or being loose, either way, the studs could be compromised.

[ClassicAlex]

When you say slipping, do you mean inside the socket/wheelbrace or on the threads of the studs themselves?

It's the wheelbase thats slipping.

[ClassicAlex]

Is the wheel stud spinning?

 

Bugger when that happens. Depending on the wheels you have, you maybe able to break the stud, or if you can't do that, rotate the wheel so that the crook stud is 'trailing', then you should be able to get a tack weld on the head of it, quite fiddly and you'll ideally want a hoist, ramps, or maybe stands to get at it.

 

I'd suggest once the wheel is off, replacing the drive flange, all the studs and nuts. It may have ended up that way by constantly over-tightening or being loose, either way, the studs could be compromised.

How would I go ahead about breaking the stud?

[Spider]

 

How would I go ahead about breaking the stud?

 

 

Not matter how you go about it, it's likely to be ugly (re: Butchery) but sometimes that's all one can do (ie, with drum brakes, but I'm sure yours has discs). You can try to continue to tighten the nut, the stud may grip (if you're a little lucky), and then eventually it will break, they other way is to try to bend the stud, being tensile, they don't like bending. WARNING: When it lets go it will do so suddenly, don't hurt yourself (ie, get your brother to do it for you ) again, this depends on what wheels you have.

Edited by Moke Spider, 18 January 2015 - 08:37 PM.

[gazza82]

When you say slipping, do you mean inside the socket/wheelbrace or on the threads of the studs themselves?

It's the wheelbase thats slipping.

Tried a slightly smaller metric socket? Assuming you are using AF at the moment or standard wheelbrace.

Breaking a stud on purpose isn't easy ...

[stevearch0]

Wheelbase? Do you mean wheelbrace?

Edited by stevearch0, 18 January 2015 - 08:44 PM.

[ClassicAlex]

Wheelbase? Do you mean the wheel itself is spinning whilst your trying to undo the wheel nuts or the base of the stud that the nuts fix to?

Its the head of the nut where the socket grips onto. This slips so I get no grip while trying to loosen the screw.

[stevearch0]

I get you now:-) if you have any slightly smaller sockets, bang one on squarely with a big hammer. The shock of the hammer blow may loosen things up and the smaller socket might just grip it enough

[sonikk4]

Hang on a minute are sure there are not nut covers fitted. They look like nuts but not.

[Chance]

Probably the rover wheel nuts with the stainless steel covers? 

They always come loose, put a photo up to confirm 

[minisilverbullet]

Don't follow Moke Spiders advice, unless the spindles of the stud have been stripped and the whole stud (plus nut) are spinning. Reading your last post that doesn't seem to be the case. 

 

Either the head of the nut has been 'rounded' or you still have the thin chrome cap on the nut. 

[ClassicAlex]

Don't follow Moke Spiders advice, unless the spindles of the stud have been stripped and the whole stud (plus nut) are spinning. Reading your last post that doesn't seem to be the case. 

 

Either the head of the nut has been 'rounded' or you still have the thin chrome cap on the nut. 

 

Hi, 

 

The nuts look like this,

 http://www.minispare...600/NAM9075.jpg

It is the head thats loose and spinning without unscrewing. 

 

Thanks

[sonikk4]

Yep they are caps. That is what is spinning.