Loose wheel nuts

LIFTED · Post by **LIFTED** » Mon Dec 05, 2011 5:53 pm

I have to get this off my chest, I think it was quite dangerous.
Earlier this year I had some new tyres put on my wife's Daewoo.
She was driving it the other day and called me to say something was wrong with the steering that it felt like a flat tyre but the tyres looked OK.
I drove it home felt the front left wheel wobble and the loud knocking noise I thought it was a wheel bearing. The next day I was going to jack it up and have a look, but when I took off the hub caps all the left wheel nuts were loose! These wheels haven't been touched by me or any one else since the new tyres were put on and the wheels were aligned, pretty freaking as she was also driving around with our new born baby. I'll be contacting Ian Diffen head office. I reckon the wheels were done about 5 months ago weve done a few country trips since the change, I guess it's just taken all this time for them to gradually work loose.

Venom · Post by **Venom** » Mon Dec 05, 2011 6:09 pm

Mate thats fkn bullshit. Call head office and put a rocket up em. My personal opinion is every wheel nut touch by any mechanic or tyre fitter or anyone should be torque wrenched to spec. 100-110nm is what the shop i worked at did to every car that came in. It's the only way to know they're done up tight enough without going too tight and potential stretching/breaking the wheel stud, or leaving someone on the side of the road with a flat tyre with wheel nuts done up so tight they can't change the tyre. That happened to a customer of another shop i worked at, imagine woman angry at having a flat, then finding out she can't change the tyre and gets stuck on the side of the road for 2 hours with kids and no water/food. Just not good enough.

Subaman · Post by **Subaman** » Mon Dec 05, 2011 6:35 pm

Exact same thing happened to Bretts RX afew years ago, only his came loose about 2 hours after leaving the tyre shop, you need to let them know straight away when that happens so they can determine which rattle gun is playing up, that said, any good tyre fitter should check the wheel nuts manually when finished with the rattle gun anyway.

sven '2' · Post by **sven '2'** » Mon Dec 05, 2011 7:07 pm

Subaman wrote:Exact same thing happened to Bretts RX afew years ago, only his came loose about 2 hours after leaving the tyre shop, you need to let them know straight away when that happens so they can determine which rattle gun is playing up, that said, any good tyre fitter should check the wheel nuts manually when finished with the rattle gun anyway.

Can only agree.

I worked in an outback petrol station years ago - rough as..

But the owner would go off his tree if we didn't manually check the wheel nuts.

Brumby Kid · Post by **Brumby Kid** » Mon Dec 05, 2011 7:13 pm

Does it have rims?
Dad's STi had all but one nut taken off of each wheel. Drove it out of work and brakes and steering felt funny. rang the RAA, he pointed out the obvious of only 1 nut.
I was told this happens, and then the bastards come back with jacks, chock your car up and then take off with your nice rims. Cost HEEPS for new nuts (1 locking and 4 normal per wheel).
Sounds like yours may have just come loose, no bastards trying to take your rims.

My 2c Cam

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Mon Dec 05, 2011 7:15 pm

DON'T CALL

WRITE !!

It allows you to control what and how you say to the correct people, you have a copy and post by registered mail (add $3) - someone has to sign for the letter.

Just think, you were lucky - could've had the stripped thread treatment and not been able to get the 'kers off on a wet night, flat tyre, missus and kid screamin' at the world

LIFTED · Post by **LIFTED** » Tue Dec 06, 2011 5:23 pm

Calm collected email stating the facts sent.