Thread: 1 and 1/2 wheel nut away

There will be various replies to what should (or should not) be said to the author of the report. Now, of course, you'll double check at regular intervals and whenever someone else touches the car.

Devils advocate: I did it to myself back in 93 and last year - it happens.

But the main point will be: were the wheel studs damaged or were the holes in the wheel elongated by the wheel wobbling around ? If so, then I'd calmly ask for compensation. You know the drill in that regard.

While not legal, driving with one nut missing from wheels should be OK, particularly given the PCD of Rover wheels (it is a D1 is it?), although being a bit out of balance the speed should be kept down.

I would be having a few words to the mechanic, and would expect him to, at the least, replace the missing nuts. Strictly speaking, a tow back to his business at his expense would be appropriate, but that would probably put you to a lot of trouble. The wheel that was missing the nuts may have damaged holes, and need to be replaced, and the other wheels should also be inspected for damage to the holes. There is a slight possibility of damage to the wheel studs as well.

You can point out to him that if a wheel had come off, it could have cost him a lot more.

Do not name him here, as Incisor, who hosts the forum cannot risk this and your post will be deleted.

Maybe someone is going there today who can supply at least a loan of some nuts.

John

A good practice to apply is always use a "Tension Wrench" to do the final nip up on after you have had a wheel or wheels off.
And always check them with a "Tension Wrench" whenever the vehicle has been elswhere for any service, tyre fitting etc.
By using the tension wrench you know in your own mind that you have done it! And done it right.
I adopted this practice years ago after I lost a wheel, luckily at very low speed.
The thought of what could have been the consequences is nauseating to say the least!

Cheers, Mick

I learn't the rule of you must check the nuts on that trip when Steve lost a front wheel at 100kmh on a bend.
Lucky that the only damage was the studs, nuts wheel and disk. Still took hours to recover the car to my brothers where Black Night was good enough to come over and supervise the repairs to the Rangie and as we then discovered my drive shafts that were trying to do the same.

Saying that the mechanic should have done the work correctly so I would have a friendly word first about it.

Certainly, have words with the mechanic. Very sloppy and dangerous oversite.

I would allow him "due process" before venting your anger. He may be very embarrassed and willing to make amends.

I would be asking for the wheel studs to be replaced, new nuts and complete check over. Wheels must be checked too, as all that stress/vibration may have weakened them around the stud holes.

All of the above and I would take at least one off another wheel to put on the one with only 2 to get you home.

4 stud or 5?

If 5 I would take 1 off 2 wheels so you would have 3 wheels with 4 and one with 5

and drive it carefully.

I had a similar problem in a Series 1 with a metre of gravel in the back.

Got home with 3 nuts on each wheel (eventually). I then replaced ALL the studs and nuts.

Well i got home all right. Thanks for all your advise it will be an interesting call tomorrow morning hopefull it will be all calm and collected, but will see what they have to say.

Hi All

When I was young and silly, after painting the hubs then the rims, I lost a front wheel off the passenger side of the ute and I had done them up till they were tight!

The LHS wheel nuts will come loose, then undo, when the wheel settles into the paint on the hub.
Now that I am older and s---, I know better, I stop after a couple of hundred of metres and check the wheel nuts again, after doing any work on the wheels.

This check applies to all types of vehicles, incuding farm tractors, trucks and 4WD's, unless the vehicle is like a WW2 Jeep or a Morris commerical truck, any guesses why?

Cheers Arthur