Wheel Bolts sheered off

[EvianBaby]

In short, yesterday while I was driving a couple of the bolts holding one of my wheels sheered off, leaving the wheel hanging on which just one on the arm.

I had the tyres changed about 2 months ago and I'm wondering if either the garage should have noticed the bolts were wearing or if it's possible they tightened them too much (if they would have even undone them)?

I'm not going to go back to that garage but I do want to work out how it could have happened.

[EvianBaby]

It is possible I wasn't entirely digesting everything the RAC man was saying as I was a little shaken and was standing on a country road in think fog hoping everyone passing noticed me in time to avoid squishing me but I'm sure that's what he said.

I've got a guy coming to pick up the car this morning so ill see what he says has happened. If it turns out it was the fault of the tyre place then ill complain to them - just so they know that one of the fitters is crap.

[EvianBaby]

Well he's collected it. Only had a quick look before taking it away but said something (can't remember what exactly) had sheared off and he was a bit surprised it would happen on a Golf. Said his mate had a bet the car would be a Citreon. Also said something about the suspension so I'll ask him properly when he rings me back later.

[derekpara]

No offence, Evian, but it seems to me that you need a knowledgeable person with you when dealing with garages/fitters or you might be taken to the cleaners by an unscrupulous 'professional'.

[EvianBaby]

If I knew any knowledgeable car people then I would.

[EvianBaby]

If anyone is interested this is what needed repairing.

Replace Offside front lower ball joint.
Replace Nearside front lower ball joint.
Repair Offside front wishbone/ball joint mating area due to damage caused in ball joint coming loose.
Repair ball joint retainer and replace bolts with new, and add locking nuts as an extra safety precaution, O/S Only.

He showed me where there joint has completely snapped compared to an ok one. But said he couldn't say for certain it was the fault of the other garage so ill just have to leave it.

[douglas9401]

When fitting/refitting alloy wheels the bolts/nuts should have a final check with a torque wrench then be rechecked after about fifty miles or after the vehicle has been at rest in the garage for about an hour to allow for contraction following the build up of heat due to friction.

[TWR]

I doubt it Derek, my thoughts that the Air Gun was set in the wrong torque settings & have over-tightened the bolt, although she has not got the receipt I would still go to the garage & recheck through their PC Details, but that's up to her .

[EvianBaby]

Right, I've decided I'm going to get in touch with the garage that did the tyres as the mechanic said they hadn't done the tracking either, which they said they had.

Could someone confirm if the above list of problems that had to be repaired could have been caused when they changed the tyres? I don't really want to say they might have caused it when they wouldn't have even touched those parts...

[TWR]

If the wheel had been loose this would not have caused the lower ball joints to be worn, regards Locking wheel nut, the ball joints now come in a plastic bag containing the replacement nut, which is has self locking compound inserted into the thread, "self locking" you are not talking about an expensive repair here Evian.

[M535bmvv]

It sounds more like they were not tightened correctly.

The "play" that results from loose wheel nuts will eventually shear them and often more than one at the same time as they are all subject to the same force.

Sounds like the garage goofed up

[EvianBaby]

Thanks all. Think I'll write a gentle e-mail to the garage, advising them of the problems without suggesting it was definitely their fault.

Out of interest TWR, how much would you expect to pay for the repairs I mentioned?

[TWR]

Hi Evian, I've just come in, regards your repair cost, with the parts / labour, you are talking in the region of £150 total, 2>>3 hrs at the most, going back to the faults " Wheel Bolts" this mat have started when the tyres were replaced prior to the job that has been done, that will be hard to prove, But if Mr Evian re-checks the bolts it will show if the threads have been damaged, but on saying that the tyre fitters should have pointed this out to you & said a replacement set was needed! did they? As said, Alloy wheel bolts have to been torqued then RE-Torqued to be right but not many do this I'm afraid.
When did the car last go in for MOT?

[Ann]

I read about this on your earlier thread Evian, it must have been very frightening. Just glad you are ok.

[EvianBaby]

Thank you, TWR. I paid £180 so I'd say that's about right considering he also came and collected the car and brought it back, plus I'm in the south.

I e-mailed the tyre people who called me within 10 minutes. Initially he suggested if they are really nice alloys then someone might have tried to pinch them and caused the problem. When I pointed out the alloys are 9 years old and not exaclty in good condition he changed his mind. He also suggested the torque thing but they never asked to go back and have them re-checked. I was told nothing at all after the tyres were changed, just paid and left. He said he's going to look into it and call me back. MOT is due in a few weeks.

[EvianBaby]

Thank you Ann. All is well now.

[TWR]

To add, the track rod ends would show up to a person that knew what they were doing, if the garage had not re-tracked the car, they would not no, My opinion regards the lower ball joints etc, these are normal wear & tear & an MOT Failure when the car had gone for test.

[TWR]

Know

[TWR]

For future ref Evian, when your car goes for an MOT make sure you get a written quote for work that is going to be done + a warranty.

[Wordist]

Reading the OP carefully, it seems that we are not talking about wheel bolts at all.
Was the wheel still bolted to the hub, which had come loose at the bottom ball joint?
If this is the case, then the tyre change may be completely unconnected to the problem.

[TWR]

If I can add & not get blasted by a few, if your car ever goes in for tyres, it only takes you or someone to check the wheel nut / bolts on all 4 wheels 20mins " YES, that all it takes.