Wheel studs are the bolts that hold your vehicle’s wheels to the wheel hubs and axles. Most cars have four to five studs per wheel, but trucks like the 2021 Ford F-150 have six, and heavy-duty vehicles can use up to eight.
Replacing a wheel stud usually costs between $55 to $400. A wheel stud itself is cheap, but the labor involved to change it plays a huge role in determining your final costs. You’re likely considering changing a wheel stud because something is wrong with the current one, and labor prices can skyrocket if your wheel studs aren’t easy to remove for reasons such as stripped threads or a seized lug nut.
How much does it cost to replace a wheel stud?
In terms of parts, a single wheel stud costs a few dollars. Here are some prices:
| Part Name | Vehicle | Source | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dorman Wheel Stud 610-004.1 | 2015 Ford F-150 | AutoZone | $12.49 |
| Front, rear wheel lug stud | 2012 Ford Escape | Ford Parts | $6.24 |
| Dorman Wheel Stud 610.269.1 | 2015 Honda Accord EX | AutoZone | $2.49 |
| Dorman Wheel Stud 610.340.1 | 2006 Ford Focus | AutoZone | $3,69 |
You should also factor in the cost of new lug nuts if you’re replacing a wheel stud, as it’s advisable to use new lug nuts with each stud change. Lug nuts are usually sold in packs and generally cost a few dollars each.
How long does it take to replace a wheel stud?
As you can see, the cost to replace a single wheel stud is low—which means that labor costs will play the biggest role in your final bill. It generally takes between 30 minutes and 2 hours to replace a stud. Significant determining factors that will influence the required labor time are:
- How many studs require replacing
- How difficult your studs are to get to
- How hard it is to extract your stud (e.g. if it’s stripped, broken, or rusted)
Mechanics’ per-hour rates across the United States now range from $110 to $175. This means that the labor cost for a wheel stud replacement could be as low as $55 (0.5 hours at $110/hour) and as high as $350 (2 hours at $175/hour).
Are there DIY solutions to replace your own wheel studs?
Seeing as labor is the most expensive component of this repair, consider DIY solutions if you want to minimize your costs. Replacing a wheel stud does not require any special tools but does require jacking up your car. You will generally follow these following steps:
- Remove wheel
- Remove brake part
- Remove studs
- Install new stud
Depending on the state of your studs, you might need a hammer or ball joint separator to remove the stud, or a cutting tool to remove a bent stud.
Ultimately, understanding the factors affecting the cost and exploring all of your available options will empower you to make an informed decision about a wheel stud replacement.
How to tell when your wheel stud need replacing?
Over the course of their life, wheel studs can take a beating—so you’ll likely be able to notice a few signs that indicate a replacement is needed.
One easy way to know that your wheel studs need replacing is to check if they are coated in rust, which makes it difficult to install and remove lug nuts. This means you could very well destroy the threads the next time you remove the lug nuts. Swap out the rusty wheel studs when you can.
Another common sign is damage in the form of stripped threads and cracks. These could cause problems down the line, as the stud might not be able to hold the lug nut in place.
John Davis is an expert automotive writer and former automotive mechanic. John\\\\\\\’s work spans multiple categories, and he relishes the opportunity to research a new subject and expand his area of expertise and industry knowledge. To date, John has written more than 200 articles covering car maintenance and care, car advice, how-to guides, and more. Prior to joining Jerry’s editorial team, John worked as a mechanic and freelance writer, creating content for clients including HotCars and SetPower.
Jessica Barrett is a senior insurance writer and editor with 10 years of experience in the automotive and travel industries. A specialist in car insurance, car loans, and car ownership, Jessica’s mission is to create comprehensive content that car owners can use to manage their costs and improve their lives. As a managing editor for a team of writers and insurance specialists, Jessica has edited over 2,000 articles for Jerry on topics ranging from local insurance shopping tips to refinancing car loans with bad credit. Before joining Jerry as a senior content editor in 2021, Jessica created visual content for clients such as Expedia, Vivid Seats, Budget Direct Car Insurance, Angie’s List, and HomeAdvisor. Her content was published in Business Insider, Forbes, Apartment Therapy, and the BBC.
Kathleen Flear is an expert insurance writer and editor who previously lead up Jerry’s editorial team as director of content. Kathleen empowers drivers to make smart car ownership decisions through best-in-class articles on insurance, loans, and maintenance. Prior to joining Jerry in 2021, Kathleen served as managing editor for a team of SEO content marketing professionals at Article-Writing.co and worked as a freelance writer and editor for a range of digital publications, including Chicago Literati magazine and Golden Words. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English language and literature from Queen’s University, and a master’s degree in creative writing and fiction from Sierra Nevada University.
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