How To Replace Stud For 2013 Toyota Prius

Let's talk about the wheel stud. It's the threaded metal finger that holds your wheel to the hub, and when one gets stripped or snapped, it can feel like a tiny automotive tragedy.

But here's the good news: replacing a stud on a 2013 Toyota Prius is a doable DIY job with basic tools and patience.

Plus, you'll learn how your Prius is put together. Think of it as puzzle night, except the puzzle is a hybrid and the reward is a safe wheel.

Gather Your Goodies

You'll need a jack, jack stands, wheel chocks, and a lug wrench or 21mm socket. A breaker bar, torque wrench, hammer, punch, and penetrating oil help.

Also grab a new stud that matches your Prius, plus a stack of hardened washers and an open-ended lug nut. Don't skip the torque wrench—your wheel studs and lug nuts care deeply about proper tightness.

Wire brush and brake cleaner are nice. Safety glasses? Yes, please. Metal shavings love to fly.

Safety First, Superstar

Park on a flat, solid surface and set the parking brake. Loosen the lug nuts a quarter turn before you lift the car, because doing it in the air is a bad magic trick.

Lift the Prius, place jack stands under the proper lift points, and lower the jack so the stands carry the weight. Never, ever work under a car held up only by a jack.

Chock the opposite wheels. Now you're ready to make some progress without becoming a cautionary tale.

Replacing Broken Wheel Stud on Toyota Prius 1.8 hybrid 2014 - YouTube

Get to the Stud

Remove the lug nuts and pull off the wheel. For a front wheel, you'll usually remove the brake caliper and bracket, then slide off the rotor.

For a rear wheel, the Prius may have a drum setup, so remove the drum to reach the hub. If the old stud won't clear the hub, you might need to remove the hub or call in a shop press.

Take a photo before disassembly. Your future self will thank you, and your camera roll will look wonderfully mechanical.

Knock Out the Old, Draw In the New

Rotate the hub so the damaged stud lines up with a clear spot behind it. Spray a little penetrating oil, then use a punch and hammer to knock the old stud out toward the back.

Don't go full Thor on it. Firm, confident taps are better than wild swings that damage the wheel bearing or knuckles.

Insert the new stud from behind the hub, then thread on a few washers and an open lug nut. Tighten the lug nut to draw the stud into place.

You'll feel it seat. Once the stud head is flush against the back of the hub, remove the washers and nut. Check that the stud sits straight and snug.

how to: REPLACE YOUR WHEEL STUDS - YouTube

Put It Back Together

Reinstall the rotor, caliper bracket, caliper, and any clips or springs in reverse order. Use brake cleaner if things are grimy, and double-check that every bolt is snug.

Slide the wheel back on, hand-thread the lug nuts, and lower the car onto the ground. Tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern to the proper torque—for many 2013 Prius models, that's around 76 ft-lbs, but verify your exact spec.

Recheck the torque after 50 miles. This is the boring step that keeps your wheel attached, so embrace it.

Why This Is Actually Fun

There's something delightful about fixing a problem with your own hands. You started with a broken stud and ended with a safer car, a new skill, and a story worth telling.

The Prius may be known for quiet efficiency, but your garage afternoon can be loud, clanky, and triumphant. That contrast is beautiful.

And every time you drive, you'll know that little stud is doing its job because you did yours.

So grab a manual, watch a video, and give it a try. Start small, stay safe, and let curiosity be your torque wrench. You might surprise yourself with how capable you are.