Questions and Answers

Replacing Plymouth Colt Wheel Studs Q. My son has a 1988 Plymouth Colt DL. He had a flat tire last night on his car front driver's side. While trying to get the lugs off, two of them broke, leaving only two to be put back on. How do we fix the wheel itself again? Will it be hard to do, or what needs to be done? Thanks, Kenneth

A. If you take the brake caliper and brake rotor off, you will be able to punch out the broken wheel studs. Since two broke, I would go ahead and replace them all. Take one of the good ones to the parts store to be sure you get the right studs and nuts.

Slide the new stud in the hole from the back. Take a bunch of heavy flat washers on the stud to take up some of the slack. Leave enough room to get the wheel nut fully on the stud. Now put one of the old lug nuts on the wheel stud, flat side towards the flat washers.

With your lug wrench, tighten the nut. This will draw the wheel stud into place. You can put white grease on the stud threads to make this easier. Slow and easy is the trick to this. You'll have to lock the hub so it won't turn while you pull the studs. It is very important to make sure the wheel stud is completely seated to the hub.

Do this for the other three studs and you're in business. It's not hard and doesn't take that long to do.