Can't Loosen Wheel Nuts

DCTenor1 · 07-07-2008, 09:04 PM

Good evening,

I purchased a new wheel for my Segway (damaged the last one on a pothole), and despite the fact that WWHopper assured me that "all you need is a wrench" and it's so simple to change "even a lawyer can do it"... I can't do it. I popped off the plastic "hub cap" and managed to get one nut off, but for the life of me, I can't budge the other two. They're completely jammed. I tried WD-40 but that didn't help.

Any suggestions? Gas prices are killing me! I gotta get back on my Seg!

Thanks!

mark1qhorsey · 07-07-2008, 09:15 PM

Pour very hot water over the wheel nuts slowly, then quickly try again, using the right tool.

jgbackes · 07-07-2008, 09:30 PM

There is a chance that someone used "red" loctite on the nuts, if that's the case you have to heat them to get them to come off. I use a propane torch when this happens.

Loctite Products

How long is the 13mm wrench you are trying? The wheel came with new nuts right? If you have new nuts, and you are worried about breaking the bolts off, go to Sears and buy a nut splitter. It breaks the nut in half.

Nut Splitter at Sears.com

DCTenor1 · 07-07-2008, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mark1qhorsey

Pour very hot water over the wheel nuts slowly, then quickly try again, using the right tool.

The "right" tool... the directions said use a socket wrench. Are you saying not all wrenches are socket wrenches? [Googles "socket wrench"] Yeah, that would probably make things a little easier. [Checks basement. Not there.] Where the heck do I get a socket wrench!

Quote:

Originally Posted by jgbackes

There is a chance that someone used "red" loctite on the nuts, if that's the case you have to heat them to get them to come off. I use a propane torch when this happens. ... How long is the 13mm wrench you are trying? The wheel came with new nuts right? If you have new nuts, and you are worried about breaking the bolts off, go to Sears and buy a nut splitter. It breaks the nut in half.

For what it's worth, there seems to be a little bit of red color in between the nut and the bolt. Multiple applications of WD-40 aren't doing a thing. I'm using just a regular wrench with not a very long handle. Can't get a lot of torque with it, but I figured my muscles are big.

Yes, there are new nuts. Ooh, a shiny tool of destruction! That looks like fun! But "nut splitter" sounds more like it belongs in an S&M toolkit. Is it cheaper than a socket wrench? Is there a chance I can screw things up?

KSagal · 07-07-2008, 09:48 PM

Let's back up one step. What are you using to remove these nuts?

I suggest a good 13 mm socket. Do not bother with a wrench if you are having some problems. I further suggest a short, 6 sided standard metric socket (Not a deep socket, nor a 12 point model).

This should give you a balanced grip with plenty of torque.

Often times a poor wrench, with a less than great grip on the nut, is the cause of your problems. A standard open end wrench uses two points of contact to turn the nut, a standard socket uses 6 points.

Good luck.

DCTenor1 · 07-07-2008, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KSagal

Let's back up one step. What are you using to remove these nuts?

A wrench I found in the basement. It's not a socket. I'll head down to the hardware store tomorrow after work and pick up a short, 6-sided standard 13 mm socket. Do you mean a short handle? Or "short" as in "shallow"?

Thanks for your help.

william collins · 07-07-2008, 09:57 PM

DCTENOR you sound as if your not very mechanical inclinded..Whats a socket wrench had me ROTFLMAO.. I surgest you take the seg to a Auto shop and ask if they would help you and remove the nuts ..Leave a nice tip for the guy and job done.. Watch what he does so u can do it later if need be

KSagal · 07-07-2008, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DCTenor1

A wrench I found in the basement. It's not a socket. I'll head down to the hardware store tomorrow after work and pick up a short, 6-sided standard 13 mm socket. Do you mean a short handle? Or "short" as in "shallow"?

Thanks for your help.

Short as in shallow. I would use a standard handle. If you are still concerned about strength, you can get a tool that is called a breaker bar. Ask at the hardware store... It has a longer handle and will give you more than enough torque.

DCTenor1 · 07-07-2008, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by william collins

DCTENOR you sound as if your not very mechanical inclinded..Whats a socket wrench had me ROTFLMAO..

As you can probably tell from my handle, I'm much better with notes and clefs than wrenches and nuts.

CAseg · 07-07-2008, 10:14 PM

You might consider buying a penetrating spray from the local auto parts store for getting jammed nuts loose. It should work better for that application than WD-40. It has saved me a couple of times.

I didn't read the instructions, and used a box end wrench (six points) instead of a socket.

07-07-2008, 09:04 PM	#1
DCTenor1 Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 231	Can't Loosen Wheel Nuts Good evening, I purchased a new wheel for my Segway (damaged the last one on a pothole), and despite the fact that WWHopper assured me that "all you need is a wrench" and it's so simple to change "even a lawyer can do it"... I can't do it. I popped off the plastic "hub cap" and managed to get one nut off, but for the life of me, I can't budge the other two. They're completely jammed. I tried WD-40 but that didn't help. Any suggestions? Gas prices are killing me! I gotta get back on my Seg! Thanks! __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. -- To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

07-07-2008, 09:30 PM	#3
jgbackes Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Jose, CA - USA Posts: 1,314	There is a chance that someone used "red" loctite on the nuts, if that's the case you have to heat them to get them to come off. I use a propane torch when this happens. Loctite Products How long is the 13mm wrench you are trying? The wheel came with new nuts right? If you have new nuts, and you are worried about breaking the bolts off, go to Sears and buy a nut splitter. It breaks the nut in half. Nut Splitter at Sears.com __________________ sǝʞɔɐq ɟɟǝɾ If I had known I was going to live this long, I would have taken better care of myself. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

07-07-2008, 09:48 PM	#5
KSagal Glides a lot, talks more... Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Pelham, NH, USA. Posts: 10,356	Let's back up one step. What are you using to remove these nuts? I suggest a good 13 mm socket. Do not bother with a wrench if you are having some problems. I further suggest a short, 6 sided standard metric socket (Not a deep socket, nor a 12 point model). This should give you a balanced grip with plenty of torque. Often times a poor wrench, with a less than great grip on the nut, is the cause of your problems. A standard open end wrench uses two points of contact to turn the nut, a standard socket uses 6 points. Good luck. __________________ Karl Ian Sagal To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. "Well done is better than well said." (Ben Franklin) Bene factum melior bene dictum Proud past President of SEG America and member of the First Premier Segway Enthusiasts Group and subsequent ones as well.

07-07-2008, 09:57 PM	#7
william collins Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA. Posts: 690	Some of us can & some can't DCTENOR you sound as if your not very mechanical inclinded..Whats a socket wrench had me ROTFLMAO.. I surgest you take the seg to a Auto shop and ask if they would help you and remove the nuts ..Leave a nice tip for the guy and job done.. Watch what he does so u can do it later if need be __________________ -- live with love and care, upon the level and by the square And most of all Better to ask forgiveness later than to ask permission and be refused

07-07-2008, 09:15 PM	#2
mark1qhorsey Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Los Alamos, NM Posts: 203	Pour very hot water over the wheel nuts slowly, then quickly try again, using the right tool.

07-07-2008, 10:14 PM	#10
CAseg Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Lake Forest, CA Posts: 41	You might consider buying a penetrating spray from the local auto parts store for getting jammed nuts loose. It should work better for that application than WD-40. It has saved me a couple of times. I didn't read the instructions, and used a box end wrench (six points) instead of a socket.

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