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I bought a car that had wheel spacers fitted, they are for cosmetic reasons only but I prefer the car to be standard so today took the wheel off and proceeded to remove the spacers nuts.

They do not move at all, not even slightly, I have tried release spray and they still do not move, I have put so much force into it I have cracked 2 sockets, one of which was an impact socket!

So now I am stuck, I can leave the spacers on the car but I am concerned about the release spray I have put on there, in time will the nuts come undone by themselves? Is there anything I can use to "flush" the release spray?

Or do I still try and undo the nuts, I don't even know what socket to use, 20mm 6 sided is too small but 21mm 6 sided feels a little loose, can also see the nuts themselves starting to round.

Any advice please, under the circumstances I can leave the nuts on there but I am concerned about that release spray being on there.

Bit out of my depth so all help appreciated.

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  • Welcome to Motor Vehicle Maintenance & Repair! If you provided images of what you're talking about as well as information about the car (year/make/model/engine/transmission), we might be able to help you better. – Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2♦ Jan 4 at 16:37
  • Sounds like the actual size is ¹³∕₁₆" (0.8125 in) and neither 20mm (0.787402 in) nor 21mm (0.826772 in). – user16128 Jan 4 at 16:38
  • I'd find someone that knows something about the mystery vehicle and ask if the spacers are installed with a left hand thread. – user16128 Jan 4 at 16:41
  • Is it possible that these were installed using "red" threadlocker? If so, you may want to try heating them, to about 500F as I recall, and see if that allows them to come out. – jwh20 Jan 4 at 16:50
  • Use a quality socket - I have broken or shattered several but never a Snap-On socket and I have an impact socket by Snap-On in my car for that reason. – Solar Mike Jan 4 at 18:13

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