drivetrain

Wheel Studs

for 2021 Ford F-150 3.5L V6 EcoBoost · 4WD

Difficulty

Moderate

Time

1.0 h

Tools

Steps

This procedure covers the replacement of damaged or broken wheel studs on the rear axle of a 2021-2024 Ford F-150 with 3.5L EcoBoost engine.

Warnings

⚠️Ensure vehicle is securely supported on jack stands before working underneath. Never rely on a floor jack alone.

⚠If brake rotor is hot from recent driving, allow adequate cooling time before handling.

ℹ️Wheel studs are a press-fit design. Proper installation requires the stud to be fully seated in the hub flange.

Tools required

Floor jack and jack standsEssential

Torque wrench (50-150 lb-ft range)Essential

Breaker bar

1/2" drive impact wrench

19mm or 3/4" socket for lug nutsEssential

Ball peen hammer or brass hammerEssential

Wheel stud installation tool or C-clampEssential

Wire brush

Anti-seize compound

Lug nut (for stud installation)Essential

Parts

Wheel stud(s) × 1 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
Loosen lug nuts on the affected wheel while vehicle is on the ground
Raise vehicle with floor jack and support securely on jack stands at manufacturer-specified lift points
Remove wheel and tire assembly
Verify which stud(s) require replacement by visual inspection

Procedure

1
Remove brake caliper and rotor if necessary
If the damaged stud position prevents direct removal, you may need to remove the brake caliper and rotor for access. For many stud positions, the rotor can remain in place. Rotate the hub to position the damaged stud where it can be accessed through the rotor cooling vanes or behind the rotor hat. If removal is needed, support the caliper with wire or a bungee cord without letting it hang by the brake hose.
2
Drive out the damaged wheel stud
Using a ball peen hammer or brass hammer, strike the damaged stud firmly from the back side (hub side) to drive it out through the front of the hub flange. The stud is press-fit and will require several solid strikes to break it free. Continue striking until the stud is completely driven out of the hub. If the stud head is damaged and cannot be struck directly, use a punch or drift to drive it from behind.
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. The hole must be clean to ensure proper seating of the new stud. Inspect the hole for any damage or deformation that could prevent proper stud installation.
4
Insert the new wheel stud
Insert the new wheel stud into the hub flange hole from the back side (inboard side of the hub). Push the stud through by hand as far as it will go. The serrated shoulder of the stud should begin to engage with the hub material. Apply a small amount of anti-seize compound to the stud threads to prevent galling during installation if desired.
5
Pull the stud into full seating position
Thread a lug nut onto the new stud from the front side, with the tapered seat facing away from the hub (reversed position). Use a wheel stud installation tool, large C-clamp, or stack of washers behind the lug nut to create space. Tighten the lug nut progressively using a wrench or socket, which will pull the stud through the hub flange. Continue tightening until the serrated shoulder of the stud is fully seated and flush against the back of the hub flange. You will feel increased resistance when the stud is fully seated.
6
Verify stud installation
Remove the lug nut used for installation. Visually inspect the stud from the back side of the hub to confirm the serrated shoulder is completely seated against the hub flange with no gap. Check that the stud does not rotate by attempting to turn it by hand. The stud should be solidly locked in place by the press-fit.
7
Reinstall brake components if removed
If the brake rotor and caliper were removed for access, reinstall them in reverse order of removal. Ensure the rotor is properly seated on the hub face and reinstall the caliper with all mounting hardware.
8
Reinstall wheel and tire assembly
Mount the wheel onto the hub, aligning all lug nut holes including the newly installed stud. Thread all lug nuts by hand to prevent cross-threading. Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern using a torque wrench to the specified torque value. Perform final torque in multiple passes, gradually increasing to the final specification.
Torque spec
Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)

Reassembly

Lower vehicle from jack stands to the ground
Perform final torque verification of lug nuts with vehicle weight on wheels
Test drive vehicle at low speed and recheck lug nut torque after 50-100 miles

Verification

Confirm all lug nuts are torqued to 140 Nm (103 lb-ft) in a star pattern
Verify the new wheel stud is flush with the back of the hub flange and does not rotate
Check that there is no abnormal wheel wobble or noise during test drive
Visually inspect lug nuts are properly seated after test drive