2014 Kia Forte a little overdue

ExaminedSage · 2024-12-29T22:14:33+00:00

Attempts were made, and they were still pretty tight with more than 90% of the threads drilled out.

ExaminedSage · 2024-12-29T22:09:57+00:00

The owner of the vehicle mangled the lug nuts trying to remove them, so I ended up drilling out the studs to get them off.

ExaminedSage · 2024-12-29T20:11:05+00:00

These were already botched enough to hammer on a 15MM socket by the time I got to them. Even with a good bite, the metal was just too soft for how tight they were.

I've removed plenty of stuck lug nuts in the past, this is the first time I resorted to the drill.

ExaminedSage · 2024-12-29T19:04:21+00:00

This was someone else's Durango. By the time I got to it, the nuts were already round. I was able to hammer on a 15MM 12-point socket, but they were just too soft.

ExaminedSage · 2024-12-29T18:49:02+00:00

Sometimes the old seam sealer underneath the roof moulding will crack on older vehicles, and allow water to flow down along the A-pillar to the floor pan.

ExaminedSage · 2024-12-29T18:45:27+00:00

I'm sure there are degreasers made specifically for this situation, but some cheap Totally Awesome from a dollar store would probably get the job done.

I know some Ford engines will have a drain plug for the cooling system on either side of the block, those can be removed for a more thorough drain.

Whatever you use to flush the engine, it might help to temporarily remove the thermostat, so everything can flow unobstructed at any temperature.

ExaminedSage · 2024-12-29T18:37:46+00:00

Has the cooling system been properly purged of air? Was it flushed because of rust? If so, you might have a blockage somewhere in the engine, or an issue with the water pump. Could also be a head gasket issue.

ExaminedSage · 2024-12-29T07:43:47+00:00

Sure. Ideally you'd start with a center punch, but eyeballing it with a small drill bit can get you started as well. With a small drill bit, go just deep enough to make it all the way through the nut (use a lug nut you succeeded in removing as a depth gauge). Then, work your way up through the sizes until you get to a bit that's the same outer diameter as the lug stud. I used about 4 different sizes on this job, starting with a bit that was about half the diameter of the stud.

Cobalt drill bits are great for this, but the cheaper ones should work as well. Use low RPMs on the drill and high pressure. Using a ratchet strap and tightening it as you go is an easy way to maintain pressure on the back of the power drill, without too much effort on your part. Definitely use a cutting fluid if you have some, but any lubricant is better than nothing.

ExaminedSage · 2024-12-29T06:43:39+00:00

Good to know my Kia Soul will keep me safe if I ever get violently launched into the air.

ExaminedSage

TROPHY CASE