Was just getting ready to tear into the e300d, new shocks, tie rods, sway bar links, engine mounts... very excited.

Step 1) loosen lug nuts before raising car. FAIL.

Car was in the shop 2 weeks ago to check out the front end. They must have used an impact gun to put the wheels back on. Right away, I knew I was in trouble... Usually the "crack: nicely as soon as I put some pressure on the breaker bar. On these guys, I had to put a 4' pipe on the end and STILL really haul on it.

Several are bent, and worse still, one broke off.

I tried welding a nut onto the shank, but it just broke again further down. I'm assuming drilling it out is my only real alternative?

Upside is that I didn't make this discovery while trying to change the tire on the side of the highway, in the rain.

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Jake
1999 e300d PlantDrive WVO/SVO conversion
**note to self: oil changed at 268k kms**
1990 Toyota 4Runner FrankenDiesel swap

Once the head is off, and the wheel off, it should just turn out unless it was cross-threaded or something. Is there enough to get a small pipe-wrench or at least Vice-Grip on?

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

Bummer man.

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1979 240D- 316K miles - VGT Turbo, Intercooler, Stick Shift, Many Other Mods - Daily Driver

1982 300SD - 232K miles - Wife's Daily Driver

1986 560SL - Wife's red speed machine

Somewhere on here, someone made come comments about smacking the head of the bolt to break the tension.... It may work in your case of allow it to move a bit.

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-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.

I had to drill three out once. Went through a dozen carbide bits, only major cost was time. Start off with something small, then keep increasing size of bit. Sooner or later you'll be able to crumple enough steel to get the wheel off and then the bolt out. Don't use any heat, though! Can warp hubs.

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I never go far without a little Big Star

1994 E500 199/Gray 82k
84 300D (Salty) Orient Red/Palomino 141k
88 300CE (Ersatzhammer) 904/Java 163k -- Turbo Technics twin turbo kit, AMG Gen I body kit, Sportline steering box and steering wheel, Sportline/Eibach /Bilstein Sport/500E suspension, Quaife LSD in 210 mm diff case, Silver Arrow brakes.
88 300CE Brabus 3.6 199 on Black 44k

As others have mentioned you have to get the cone seat off by step drilling. The final bit should be he same size as your threaded shank. Remove the wheel and use vice grips to remove the threaded shank from the hub. When replacing lug bolts always inspect the cone seats, should be smooth - same with the mate area on the wheel.

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BENZ THERE DONE THAThttp://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...c/progress.gif
15 VW Passat TDI
00 E420
98 E300 DT
97 E420 Donor Car - NEED PARTS? PM ME!
97 S500
97 E300D
86 Holden Jackaroo Turbo D
86 300SDL
(o\|/o)

I would imagine that you have the extended head version bolt as they have been known to do exactly what you are describing and the only way to get it out now is to drill

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Please, call me to place orders or for more info
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just a small point to mention ... it's a radius ball seat not a conical seat

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Please, call me to place orders or for more info
use my name for on-line orders

sadly, you're far from alone with this pain....

Broken Lug Bolts on 1999 E320 Station Wagon

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-- raymond~
47º 34'N 122º 18'W