How do you replace stud for lug nut on 2003 cavalier?

I have a 2003 cavalier and i guess when I had new tires put on the guy that did it crossthreaded one of my studs and now the lug nut won't go down far enough to tighten on the rim. Does anyone know how to replace this and if so what is needed to do it and how difficult would it be? Should I just pay to have it replaced, or tackle it myself?

I have a 2003 cavalier and i guess when I had new tires put on the guy that did it crossthreaded one of my studs and now the lug nut won't go down far enough to tighten on the rim. Does anyone know how to replace this and if so what is needed to do it and how difficult would it be? Should I just pay to have it replaced, or tackle it myself?

Not hard at all. Studs are about $1.00 at most parts stores.
For the front, remove the wheel, pound on the stud until it releases and turn the hub until you can remove the stud from the back. To re-install, push stud in from the back, put a few washers on it, then tighten it with a lug nut untill fully seated. remount wheel.

For the rear if you have drum brakes, remove the wheel, then the drum, and pound the stud out as above.

You say to put some washers on the stud when replacing it??? Exactly what do you mean? Put the washers between the stud and back of the hub?? I am replacing the back and it is a drum. Do I have to pound, rotate the hub, then pound again repeating until the stud comes loose? Thanks for all your help.

You say to put some washers on the stud when replacing it??? Exactly what do you mean? Put the washers between the stud and back of the hub?? I am replacing the back and it is a drum. Do I have to pound, rotate the hub, then pound again repeating until the stud comes loose? Thanks for all your help.

The washers are for inserting the new stud.
First, to get the old one out, just hammer it (the stud)until it's loose from the axel plate. DO NOT HAMMER ON THE AXEL OR THE PLATE ITSELF. Then rotate the axel to a point where you can remove the stud from the back (Usually there's an opening somewhere in the backing plate that the stud can be removed thru, or it may just fall out.

When installing the new stud, insert it thru the back of the plate, put a few washers on the front of the plate. This is just to give some extra space, and to keep the nut from gouging the plate the stud presses into. After you have the stud snugged into the plate, remove the nut and the washers, then install the wheel.

Okay I'll try it out. Thanks for your help.

Don't pound on the hub with it on the car. It can destroy your bearings. You should either remove the hub and hammer it out while supported or press out the stud.

Oh, was just doing some thinking. I bet if you remove the hubcap but leave the wheel attached you could beat the stud loose w/hammer. Being that the wheel is on the ground the shock wouldn't be transferred too much to the bearing.

I have a question though, I am probably going to take it to a mechanic with the right tools because I don't want to mess up anything and end up spending more money, but how safe is it to ride on just 4 studs and lugs if your car is a 5 lug pattern? Just wondering how much longer I can drive before anything majo could go wrong because I won't be able to fix it until this weekend?