Local tire store broke a lug nut trying to get them off. Plan on changing the stud as well as the lug nut. Is it possible to get the stud in and out without extensive disassembly?

 

Hi and Welcome to the forum -

The W210 as well as most other MB's use lug bolts rather than studs and lug nuts. Once the wheel is off try some WD40 or penetrating oil to loose the broken end of the lug bolt and unscrew it. It's best to re-torque lug bolts about every 6 months to prevent seizure especially in northern climates.

 

Thanks! Fairly new purchase, I haven't had the wheels off yet. Not sure what I'm in for, the guy at the tire place said half the nut broke off. Maybe I can tap a socket around it, if not I'll be drilling.

 

You're in for some work. The bolts snap near the top and leave the mushroom portion that holds the wheel. You can't get the wheel off without getting the bolt off. My tire guy snapped one of mine. I brought it to my mechanic and he was able to get it off with some work. Drilling etc. He shopped for a used rim for me figuring he'd probably damage the rim but he got it out without any rim damage.

The original bolts extend out past the mushroom portion but are vulnerable to seizing and snapping. The new replacement bolts are shorter and do not stick out flush to the rim.

 

Managed to drill it out.....$6 for the bolt....$28 for new drill bits

 

That's great. I don't remember how much I paid but I think it was closer to $200

 

Tire shops and inspection shops tend to tighten the lugs with air guns to very high torque levels. If the lugs are left that way they will rust a bit and it will be nearly impossible to remove some of them. I have tired of coming home, loosening the lugs with a breaker bar, and re-torquing the lugs, so that I have a chance of changing a tire if necessary. I have made a sign that I put on top of the dash when I know someone will be messing with the lugs, that says, " Please use your torque stick to tighten the lugs, (approx. 80 ft lbs ) Thanks." Not only has it reduced the over-tightening problem, but it tells them that I am enough of a mechanic to know what a torque stick is, which keeps the bogus " you need a new" to about zero.

This will probably cause some on this site to yell at me, but I believe in using anti-seize occasionally on the threads of lugs. This keeps the threads from rusting and galling.