stupid question replacing wheel studs

[CorbetJackson50]

searched and couldnt find an answer so i guess i am the dumbest person on the forums. I am tring to replace wheel studs on a 96 cutlass supreme. All other cars i have replaced studs on to just hammer the studs out and put new ones in. there is no clearance for the studs to come out, or go back in for that matter. Do i need to remove the hub? if so how? is it that big nut in the middle of the hub? If so what size is it b/c i dont have any sockets that big also how to keep the hub from turning when doing this?

[pocket-rocket]

Removing the hob will not give you any more clearance unless you press it apart. The hub is one piece with the bearings and comes as an assembly when you buy a new one. Did you try rotating it to different spots to gain clearance? I have no idea how much different a 96 is then my 92 with ABS, but I can't see it being that different. Normally it takes some work to get them out, but it's doable.

BTW, Welcome to the forums

[CorbetJackson50]

i have tried rotating the hub to gain clearance, which i have replace studs on 3 or 4 cars before with no problem, this cutlass is a PIA.

[walterdude]

Here's a couple of shots of a front hub from a Lumina. I believe the Cutlass is a W-Body and the same as yours.. As you can see there is a notch in the bottom of the hub for removing/replacing lugs. It looks like that is the only way to do it. Unless you can get at the very bottom, by the ball joints the hub assembly probably needs to be removed. It's a pretty simple job.
The drive shaft nut is 36mm. To loosen that, if you have steel rims or alloy ones that have a big enough center hole you can loosen it with the car on the ground. If alloy and the hole is too small (Z34) you got to pull the wheels to loosen. I install a lug-nut hand tight to hold the rotor straight. You should have vented rotors and you can stick a big screwdriver in
there as shown in pic #03 and use the caliper as a stop or have somebody step on the brakes. On your year the torque is 151 ft/lbs,,, you WILL need some leverage. I use a 1/2 in breaker bar plus the handle for my floor jack..... Pull the calipers off, remove lug-nut and rotor. Now the hub needs to come off. There are 4 bolts that go through the back of the strut housing. If you have to you can turn the wheels to give a little better access to these. I believe a 15mm deep socket and extension will get them off..
Hopefully this answers a few questions,,,,,
Tom....
FWIW: my 93 Z43 and my 99 Lumina use the same hub/assy...