MTFCA Forum

I removed a front wire wheel to install new hub caps and had a problem with one of the wheel studs spinning freely in the hub when trying to remove the lug nut. Looks like the stud hole in the hub is wallowed out. What is the best (safest) repair? Laying a bead of weld in a couple of places on the stud and driving it back in? Thanks in advance for guidance.

Sometimes by just striking the shoulder area of the stud with a center punch In about 6 alternating places fixes the problem. When reinstalling, use a little JB Weld.

Hank

I would consider brazing the stud head to the hub. I would take the hub off the axle, attach wheel to hub with all studs and lug nuts to make sure it is all lined up, then braze.

Hank,
Someone before me tried that approach, but it's wallowed out a little too much for that to work. Maybe tack welding and JB Weld! Thanks for your reply.

Brazing is the better option. While welding may be the easier option, you are dealing with dissimilar materials, and the weld is likely to crack at the interface between the two.

Allan from down under.

Thanks for all the feedback. I'll try to find someone that can braze it for me - seems to make the most sense.

The dissimilar metals can be arc welded very easily, it just takes the right kind of welding rod. There are many rods designed to weld steel to cast iron, I've done it many, many times. It works great. Just a heads up for anyone running into that problem in the future. Dave

Although brazing is a very good fix, I try not to braze anything that I can weld. The main reason for that is, once something has been brazed and if for some unforseen reason it needs to be welded in the future, it is VERY hard to get a decent weld on something that has been brazed. The bronze can be ground off, but it takes a lot of grinding as the bronze is absorbed into the metal. JMHO Dave