My wheel lug screw arm became twisted( one of the bolts that the lug nut screws on to is twisted) How hard is it to change it? Is it worth getting the work done at a dealership? How much is a good price to get it done?

 

I think you are referring to the lug nut studs...Mitsubishi calls them hub bolts. It is explained on page 26-8 of the service manual.

So let's say you have the wheel off and the brake rotor off. the studs are installed from behind the wheel hub flange. If you have a hammer and punch, you can punch them back towards the car. You might be able to do something similar if you have a gear puller or ball joint press. You can rent a ball joint press at most local auto parts stores. You should be able to buy the studs at local stores as well. AdvanceAuto parts has them for $2 a pop.

To put a new one in, get the splines lined up as best you can..maybe tap it to start it with a hammer. Put the wheel back on and suck it back in with the lug nut.

 

But if the wheel is still on the Outie and the nut and stud are spinning.....It is going to be a pain in the *** to get off. I don't know if there is room on the backside to somehow get vice grips to grab the backside of the stud. Or maybe put pressure using a pry bar on the backside of the stud and use a air impact to remove the nut. I personally haven't looked to see if either would work. This happened to me many years ago with steel wheels and I just used a smoke wrench and burned the nut off. I know you cant do this without damaging your wheel.

 

I think a grinder might work in that case...but I don't think that's the problem with Serpentor's case. Sounds like he's just twisted them off. I would definitely not use a torch/heat as you may damage the hub and be in for a bigger repair job. Service manual had a picture that looked a lot like a ball joint puller. that'd be the safest route.

let us know how it works out.

 

Just wondering if I took this to the dealership how much would you say is a fair price to pay for the repair?

 

heh, well I'm cheap...but let's just say it is a 30 min job...hourly rates are usually 80 to 100 bucks. They'll charge you 5 bucks for a 2 dollar part. So maybe they'd charge you about $50?

If you were leaning that close to letting a dealership do it, just call them. I'm sure any other mechanic's shop can do it cheaper as well. As long as you don't beat on that wheel, you should be able to drive it to the shop on 4 of the 5 lug nuts.

 

Thats about right on the price. I was out of town and some how one stud broke off and my wife went to Pepboys and the price was $45 part and labor.

 

Thank you for the advice!

 

I took it to an RS Strauss and the guy wanted to charge me $100+ to do the work, then I tried Pepboys and they said $51 but I have to buy the Mitsubishi OEM bolt

 

that's odd...since they carry that part.
Their part number is: 98521.1
OE cross reference numbers:
OE Number 3880A001
OEManufacturer MITSUBISHI
OE Number MB303869
OEManufacturer MITSUBISHI
OE Number MB808031
OEManufacturer MITSUBISHI
OE Number MB891852
OEManufacturer MITSUBISHI
OE Number MB911495
OEManufacturer MITSUBISHI

buy it at their parts counter and take it over to their service dept...hehehe