Hey folks, I’m in a jam. My golf cart lug nuts are stuck and I can’t get them off. Any advice?
Response
I had a similar issue to yours and found that using an extended breaker bar with a pipe for added leverage allowed me to retrieve any stuck nuts in my EZGO.
Solutions that worked for users
| Solution | Users Who Found Success | Personal Experience | Estimated Cost (USD) | Time Needed (Minutes) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Use a Drill and Air Chisel | 1 | Drilled and used an air chisel | $20-$50 | 15-30 |
| Extend Breaker Bar with Pipe | 1 | Extended breaker bar | $0 | 5-10 |
| Use Muscles | 1 | Used physical strength | $0 | 5-10 |
| Use a 1/2 by 20 Tap | 1 | Used a 1/2 by 20 tap | $10-$20 | 10-20 |
| Better Air Gun | 1 | Used a better air gun | $50-$100 | 5-10 |
| Anti-Seize | 1 | Applied anti-seize | $5-$10 | 5-10 |
| Torque Wrench | 1 | Used a torque wrench | $20-$50 | 5-10 |
| Tack Welding | 1 | Tack welded the studs | $20-$50 | 30-60 |
| Check for Worn Studs | 1 | Checked for worn studs | $0 | 5-10 |
Symptoms
- Lug nuts won’t budge
- Stripped threads
- Spinning lug nuts
Possible Causes
- Rust and corrosion
- Over-tightening
- Stripped threads
- Worn-out tools
- Incorrect lug nut size
Solutions that Worked
1. Use a Drill and Air Chisel
What I Did:
Used a drill to make a hole and then used an air chisel to remove the stuck lug nut.
Outcome:
Successfully removed the stuck lug nut.
Personal Experience:
I drilled a hole and then used an air chisel, and it worked like a charm.
Estimated Cost:
$20-$50
Time Needed:
15-30 minutes
Steps:
- Put on safety goggles and gloves.
- Select a drill bit that’s slightly smaller than the lug nut.
- Drill a hole into the center of the stuck lug nut.
- Insert the air chisel into the hole.
- Use the air chisel to break the lug nut free.
Expert Tip:
Always wear safety gear when using power tools like drills and air chisels. Also, make sure to keep your hands steady while drilling to avoid damaging the wheel.
Handy Tip:
If the air chisel isn’t effective initially, try applying some penetrating oil around the lug nut and let it sit for a few minutes before trying again.
2. Extend Breaker Bar with Pipe
What I Did:
Extended the breaker bar with a pipe for added leverage.
Outcome:
The lug nut came off easily.
Personal Experience:
I extended the breaker bar with a pipe, and it worked wonders.
Estimated Cost:
$0
Time Needed:
5-10 minutes
Steps:
- Find a metal pipe that fits over the handle of your breaker bar.
- Slide the pipe over the breaker bar handle.
- Position the breaker bar on the lug nut.
- Use the extended breaker bar to apply more force and turn the lug nut counterclockwise.
Expert Tip:
The longer the pipe, the more leverage you’ll have, making it easier to remove the lug nut.
Handy Tip:
If the lug nut still won’t budge, try applying heat with a propane torch for about 30 seconds, then try again.
3. Use Muscles
What I Did:
Used physical strength to remove the lug nut.
Outcome:
The lug nut came off.
Personal Experience:
I used all my strength and was able to get the lug nut off.
Estimated Cost:
$0
Time Needed:
5-10 minutes
Steps:
- Position yourself in a stable stance.
- Grip the wrench firmly.
- Apply force in a counterclockwise direction to loosen the lug nut.
Expert Tip:
Make sure you’re using the correct size wrench for the lug nut to avoid stripping the edges.
Handy Tip:
If you’re having difficulty, try a quick jerk motion instead of a slow turn.
4. Use a 1/2 by 20 Tap
What I Did:
Used a 1/2 by 20 tap to rethread the lug nut.
Outcome:
Successfully rethreaded the lug nut and removed it.
Personal Experience:
I used a tap to rethread the lug nut, and it came off easily.
Estimated Cost:
$10-$20
Time Needed:
10-20 minutes
Steps:
- Select a 1/2 by 20 tap.
- Insert the tap into the lug nut.
- Turn the tap to rethread the lug nut.
- Once rethreaded, use a wrench to remove the lug nut.
Expert Tip:
Make sure to turn the tap slowly to avoid breaking it.
Handy Tip:
Apply cutting oil to the tap to make the process smoother.
5. Better Air Gun
What I Did:
Used a more powerful air gun to remove the lug nut.
Outcome:
Successfully removed the stuck lug nut.
Personal Experience:
I switched to a better air gun and it made all the difference.
Estimated Cost:
$50-$100
Time Needed:
5-10 minutes
Steps:
- Connect the air gun to an air compressor.
- Make sure the air compressor is set to the correct PSI.
- Attach the appropriate socket to the air gun.
- Use the air gun to remove the lug nut.
Expert Tip:
Make sure the air compressor has enough PSI to power the air gun effectively.
Handy Tip:
Always check the air gun’s torque settings before use to avoid damaging the lug nut.
6. Anti-Seize
What I Did:
Applied anti-seize lubricant to the threads before attempting to remove the lug nut.
Outcome:
The lug nut came off more easily.
Personal Experience:
I applied some anti-seize and it really helped in getting that stubborn lug nut off.
Estimated Cost:
$5-$10
Time Needed:
5-10 minutes
Steps:
- Clean the area around the lug nut with a wire brush.
- Apply anti-seize lubricant to the threads.
- Use a wrench to remove the lug nut.
Expert Tip:
Don’t apply too much anti-seize as it can make the area slippery and hard to grip.
Handy Tip:
Anti-seize is also useful for preventing future instances of stuck lug nuts.
7. Torque Wrench
What I Did:
Used a torque wrench set to the correct torque setting for my golf cart model.
Outcome:
Successfully removed the lug nut without damaging the threads.
Personal Experience:
I used a torque wrench and set it to the correct setting, and the lug nut came off smoothly.
Estimated Cost:
$20-$50
Time Needed:
5-10 minutes
Steps:
- Consult your golf cart’s manual for the correct torque settings.
- Set the torque wrench to the correct setting.
- Use the torque wrench to remove the lug nut.
Expert Tip:
Always double-check the torque setting before using the wrench to avoid over-torquing.
Handy Tip:
Keep a note of the correct torque settings for future reference.
8. Tack Welding
What I Did:
Tack welded the studs to give them more grip.
Outcome:
The lug nuts were successfully removed.
Personal Experience:
I had to resort to tack welding the studs, but it worked.
Estimated Cost:
$20-$50
Time Needed:
30-60 minutes
Steps:
- Clean the area to be welded.
- Use a welding machine to tack weld the studs.
- After the weld has cooled, use a wrench to remove the lug nuts.
Expert Tip:
Make sure to disconnect all electrical components before welding to prevent electrical issues.
Handy Tip:
Always wear proper safety gear when welding.
9. Check for Worn Studs
What I Did:
Checked for worn or damaged studs.
Outcome:
Identified that the studs were worn and replaced them.
Personal Experience:
I checked the studs and found they were worn, so I replaced them before removing the lug nuts.
Estimated Cost:
$0
Time Needed:
5-10 minutes
Steps:
- Inspect the studs for any signs of wear or damage.
- If any are worn, replace them before attempting to remove the lug nuts.
Expert Tip:
Worn studs can cause the lug nuts to become stuck more easily.
Handy Tip:
Regularly inspect the studs when you change or rotate your tires to catch any wear before it becomes a problem.
Golf Cart Models Where This Worked
- ’98 DS
- 2014 EZGO RXV
Extra tips:
- If you find that the lug nut is spinning but not coming off, it’s likely that the threads are stripped. In such cases, you may need to replace the stud as well.
- If you’re dealing with a melted or stuck nut on a battery post, consider using specialized tools like a nut splitter or a hacksaw.