mitchman

I've got a 2003 Protege DX. I need to remove/replace some of the wheels studs. The DX has front disc brakes and rear drum brakes. I'm just wondering if I'm going to need any special tools to replace the studs?

I've heard a rumor that some Honda's need to have the hub bearing pressed out (BIG special tool) to remove the hub and get at the wheel studs. I'm hoping Mazda hasn't done this.

(crossing my fingers!)

Roddimus Prime

you just need to remove the stud? Shouldn't need anything more than just 2 nuts that will fit over the stud. I screw one down on there, screw another one on top of it and then unscrew the first one and it'll pull the stud out.

mitchman

Are you sure that's how they work? I don't think they are really "studs". They have head and shoulders on them. I think they are pressed in from the back of the hub.

That's my question, how do you get at the back of the hub (front and rear)?

Roddimus Prime

hmm, I'll have to take a closer look before saying anything else.

ShadowGuy

When I had to replace a wheel stud on a rear wheel of my '02 DX that had snapped in two, my friend and I just took turns banging on it to get it out. Didn't hurt anything...sometimes it's good to trust brute force. But are you sure you're talking about studs? Mine was just a big fat bolt.

mitchman

Yeah, they're really "bolts" like you say. But I think the industry refers to them as wheel studs...don't know why.

So it was pretty easy to get to them? Did you have to take the brakes all apart?

ShadowGuy

If I remember correctly (which I should...it was only a month ago!)... then it was just a matter of unscrewing the front cover for the brake drum and removing it, then banging like crazy on the stud after trying a bunch of other more clever methods that did diddly squat. We had to hit it from some weird angles if I remember correctly. You should be able to figure it out once you get the brake cover off, it should be apparent what to do.

As for getting the new one on, we did the two-nuts trick if I remember correctly.