Wheel studs are bolts that keep the wheels and brake assembly in place. Different types of vehicles have a different number of wheel studs. Usually, there are four to six studs on each wheel. What happens if a wheel stud breaks? Is it safe to drive with a broken wheel stud?
”It is not safe to drive with a broken wheel stud because once a stud breaks, it puts additional pressure on the remaining wheel studs, causing them to eventually break as well. It is dangerous to drive with a broken wheel stud because the wheel will start to wobble and could fall off and possibly cause an accident.”
[ez-toc]
Is It Safe To Drive With a Broken Wheel Stud
When one or more wheel stud breaks, it puts more stress and load on the remaining wheel studs and wheel bearing. Each wheel stud is designed to hold a certain amount of pressure and load before breaking.
The main cause of a stud failure is due to rust, improper torque, over-torquing, or strip studs. Wheel studs should always be properly torqued to manufacturer specifications. Moreover, when a wheel stud breaks, the wheel will start to flex and wobble as the vehicle is moving.
Over time, the remaining wheel studs and wheel bearing will give way. This will cause the wheel bearing
and remaining studs to prematurely fail. A loud growling noise can be heard when the wheel bearing starts to fail.
Eventually, if the broken stud problem is not fixed soon enough, this will cause the wheel to eventually fall off and possibly cause an accident. As a safety percussion make sure you drive the vehicle at low speed to the nearest auto mechanic shop or tire shop.
How Much Does It Cost To Replace a Wheel Stud?
An average cost of a broken wheel stud costs between $80 and $100. The parts cost no more than $20 and the rest is labor. You can replace a wheel stud by yourself. Only replace your wheel stud if you feel confident in your mechanic skills. If you are not an experienced mechanic, take your vehicle to the repair shop.
Can You Drive a Car With Only 4 Lug Nuts?
You can drive a car with 4 lug nuts. If you are missing one lug nut, it is possible to drive your vehicle at normal speed. But, missing a lug nut is something that you need your immediate attention. You shouldn’t drive your car with a missing lug nut for a long period of time. Once you notice that you are missing a lug nut, take your vehicle to a repair shop.
Can I Drive My Car With Only 2 Wheel Nuts?
If you are missing more than one wheel nut, you shouldn’t drive your vehicle. It is no longer safe. Each wheel nut is designed to take a certain amount of load before it breaks. If you are driving with only two wheel nuts, they can break at any time and you can get hurt.
