drivetrain

Wheel Studs

for 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 5.3L V8 EcoTec3 L83 · RWD

Editorial review:Chris Hackleman — Master Technician · 20+ years · Jeff Moore — Master Lexus & Toyota Mechanic · 20+ years

Difficulty

Moderate

Time

1.0 h

Tools

Steps

✓Expert-verified. Personally reviewed and approved by OLP's master technicians (Chris Hackleman & Jeff Moore — 20+ years each). Always follow the vehicle's factory service information and torque specs.

This procedure covers the removal and replacement of wheel studs on the rear axle of a 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with the 5.3L V8 engine.

Warnings

⚠️Never work under a vehicle supported only by a jack. Always use jack stands rated for the vehicle weight.

⚠Ensure the parking brake is released before attempting to rotate the brake rotor or drum.

ℹ️Front wheel studs require hub removal for replacement. This procedure covers rear studs only, which can be replaced with the hub in place.

Tools required

Floor jackEssential

Jack standsEssential

Torque wrenchEssential

19mm or 21mm socket (lug nuts)Essential

Large hammer or 3-5 lb sledgeEssential

Wheel stud installation tool or large C-clampEssential

Wire brush

Anti-seize compound

Penetrating oil

Parts

Wheel stud(s) × 1 — ACDelco 11589117 or equivalent

Preparation

Park vehicle on a level surface and engage parking brake
Loosen wheel lug nuts on the wheel with the damaged stud(s) before raising vehicle
Raise vehicle with floor jack and support with jack stands at manufacturer-specified jacking points
Remove wheel and tire assembly completely

Procedure

1
Access the damaged wheel stud
Rotate the brake rotor or drum so the damaged stud is accessible. You may need to release the parking brake if working on rear wheels. Identify which stud(s) need replacement.
2
Remove the damaged wheel stud
Using a large hammer or 3-5 lb sledge, strike the back of the damaged wheel stud firmly to drive it out of the hub flange. The stud is press-fit and will require significant force. Strike the stud head squarely to avoid damaging the hub flange threads. Continue striking until the stud is fully driven out the back of the hub.
⚠Use controlled strikes to avoid damaging the wheel hub, brake rotor, or ABS tone ring. Support the hub from behind if possible.
3
Clean the stud mounting hole
Use a wire brush to clean any rust, debris, or corrosion from the stud mounting hole in the hub flange. Ensure the hole is completely clean and free of obstructions to allow proper seating of the new stud.
4
Insert the new wheel stud
Insert the new wheel stud into the mounting hole from the back side of the hub flange. Push the stud through by hand as far as possible. The serrated shoulder of the stud should begin to engage with the hub material.
5
Pull the stud into position
Thread 4-5 lug nuts onto the new stud (or use a wheel stud installation tool). Position a large washer against the lug nuts if using multiple nuts. Using the lug nuts or installation tool, draw the stud fully into the hub flange until the serrated shoulder is completely seated and flush with the back of the hub. The stud should be fully seated with no gap visible between the stud shoulder and hub.
⚠Do not over-tighten during installation as this can damage the stud threads. Stop when the stud shoulder is fully seated.
6
Remove installation hardware
Remove the lug nuts and washer (or installation tool) used to draw the stud into place. Inspect the installed stud to verify it is fully seated with the serrated shoulder flush against the back of the hub flange. The stud should not move or rotate when pulled by hand.
7
Verify stud installation
Attempt to rotate or pull the newly installed stud. It should be completely solid with no movement. Visually inspect from the back side of the hub to confirm the serrated shoulder is fully engaged. If the stud shows any movement, repeat the installation process.
8
Reinstall wheel and tire
Mount the wheel and tire assembly back onto the hub. Thread all lug nuts onto the studs by hand to prevent cross-threading. Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern by hand, then snug them with a wrench while the vehicle is still on jack stands.
9
Lower vehicle and final torque
Remove jack stands and lower the vehicle until the tire just contacts the ground with slight weight on it. Torque the lug nuts to specification in a star pattern, working progressively in multiple passes until all nuts are at final torque. Lower vehicle completely and verify all lug nuts are properly torqued.
Torque spec
Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)

Reassembly

Ensure all lug nuts are torqued to 140 Nm (103 lb-ft) in a star pattern
If multiple studs were replaced, verify each is fully seated and secure
Test drive vehicle briefly and re-check lug nut torque after 50-100 miles

Verification

Verify the new wheel stud(s) do not rotate or show any movement when pulled by hand
Confirm all wheel lug nuts are properly torqued to specification using a torque wrench
Visually inspect that the wheel sits flush against the hub with no wobble or gaps
After a short test drive, re-torque all lug nuts to verify they remain at specification

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