To remove the tire studs, first, take off the wheel. Then, lubricate the studs with soapy water. Now, remove the studs with a stud-removing tool, or a flathead Screwdriver. Check if the tire has been damaged by spraying some soapy water and checking for air bubbles. If not, put the tire back on and you’re good to go.
But, there’s a whole lot more to know about how to remove tire studs. So, keep on reading our article till the end.
Removing Studs From Tires- 5 Steps
Studded tires are really effective on icy roads but can use drive studded tire in summer. Driving with studded tires in summer damages both your tires and the roads. Thus, you need to remove the studs from the tires. For that, you’ll need these tools:
- Jack
- Wrench
- Lubricant/ soapy water
- Sprayer
- Needle-Nose Plier
- Stud-Removing Tool
- Flat Head Screwdriver
- Water
Then, follow this process:
Step 1: Remove The Wheel
First of all, it’s best to remove the wheel. It makes the process easier because you’ll get enough room to work on the wheel.
Jack up the car and use a wrench to unscrew the lug nuts. Then you’ll be able to remove the wheel. You can also watch this video on how to remove the wheels:
Step 2: Lubricate The Studs
You can remove the studs from the tires even without lubricating. But, it’ll make the process much harder. Although, don’t use WD40 or greasy lubricants because they’ll make your tires deteriorate and slippery.
Rather you can use dish soap or soapy water. Spray it on the studs before you start to remove them. It’s best to apply the lubricant you use to mount your tires. Other oils might damage the tire material.
Step 3: Remove Studs
First, hold the tires between your legs. It’ll give you a better grip to work with. You’ll also be able to use your upper body strength to remove the studs. Now, let’s learn the process for the three different tools:
Needle-nose Pliers: Grab the stud with the pliers. Since the stud is embedded in the tread, push the tip of the pliers down keeping the stud in the middle of the two tips. You’ll be able to grab the studs. Then, twist the studs gently and pull them out from the tire.
If the stud doesn’t come out easily, you can try pushing it down a bit before pulling.
Stud-Removing Tool: You can also use a stud-removing tool. It’s especially useful when the studs are driven deep.
Place it on a stud and gently push it down. Now, twist the tool slightly to grab onto the stud. Push the tool onto one side and the stud should come out.
The studs are inserted pretty deep in SUVs and all-terrain tires. So, insert the removal tool deeper in the tire but be sure not to damage it.
Flat-Head Screwdriver: If the studs have a flat base, it’s best to use a screwdriver.
Insert the screwdriver along the side of the stud to get to the bottom. When you reach the edge, turn the tool to a 45-degree angle to get under it. Lift the screwdriver carefully and the stud should pop out.
Step 4: Check for Damage
Now, before you put the tire back on, check for any signs of damage. Ensure that there are no visible punctures in the tire. Also, check if the tire pressure is right.
Now, here’s a quick checking process. Spray some more soapy water on the tire. If there’s a leak somewhere, air will come out and that will create air bubbles in the soapy water.
You can submerge the tires in water. You’ll see bubbles coming out if the air leaks.
If you do find a leak, repair it before putting the tire on.
Step 5: Put Tire Back
After making sure that there’s no damage to the tires, put the wheel back on. You can watch the process from the previous video we mentioned.
Also, be sure to get your tires balanced. You can also start a weekly maintenance schedule to ensure there aren’t any slow air leaks.
With that, your tire studs have been safely removed.
How Much Does it Cost to Remove Tire Studs?
To remove tire studs seeking professional help, expect to pay between $50-$100 per tire. But, it depends on a lot of factors. Especially, the number of studs in your tire. If it’s more than 80-100, you’ll have to pay more to remove them.
Are Studded Tires Illegal in The US?
Studded tires are illegal in only some US states. Until now, 5 US states always prohibit using studded tires while 7 other states permit it. These states are:
- Always Legal: Colorado, Kentucky, New Hampshire, North Carolina, South Carolina, Vermont, and Wyoming.
- Always Illegal: Texas, Mississippi, Michigan, Louisiana, and Florida.
Other than that, there are 33 states where seasonal use of studded tires is allowed. For example, Washington allows studded tires from November 1- March 31. There’re also 5 other states that permit conditional use of studded tires.
Needless to say, these obligations may differ from state to state.
FAQs
Do Studded Tires Wear Faster?
No, studded tires don’t wear faster. But, they have to be properly maintained. Be sure that the tires are properly inflated. Rotate your tires according to the recommendation of your manual. Generally, you should rotate your tires every 5,000-7,000 miles. Also, don’t drive studded tires in summer.
Can You Drive With Studded Tires Only On Front Axle?
No, you can’t drive with studded tires only on the front axle. This might cause severe control issues leading to an accident. The same goes for using studded tires only on the rear axle.
Can Used Tires Be Studded Again?
No, used tires can’t be re-studded. Only brand-new tires can be studded for winter driving. Re-studded tires have incorrect stud lengths. It damages the tire because debris gets trapped under the stud.
Bottom Line!!
We hope that you learned all that you need to know about how to remove tire studs. Still, here’s one last tip for you. If you use your studded tires only in winter, they will last about 5-6 seasons. Of course, you can’t remove the studs in this case. Thanks for staying with us.
