Not sure what to think of this.

I have never seen lug nuts ever work themselves off of a wheel when properly tightened. Yes, aluminum and steel do not always form a perfect combo, especially when being heated and cooled constantly, but lug nuts don't come off like this.

I had a Subaru one time that I had the front end serviced on, I drove home (75 mph +) for about 55 miles, did some driving around town, and three days later noticed a loud noise coming from the right passenger wheel. I stopped and checked it out and realized that all of the lugs were working themselves off. One stud had been ruined.

The service shop was cool about it and very apologetic, but only after a good tongue lashing. That was ridiculous. They paid for my front end alignment and the cost of the stud. I did it myself because I didn't want to drive 55 miles again to get it done by them (not to mention that I couldn't trust that it would be done right).

I have never been back there.

 

Don't be so sure. ^

 

That only bolts I've ever broken was on Toyota. A couple on the 4runner and one on the tacoma and I've owned many vehicles. Like someone said, over and under torque can cause this. I'm guessing over torque in this case as if it was under the wheel would have wobbled a bit first before the bolts broke and would also cause damage to the wheel bolt holes.

 

Shop didn't tighten lugs correctly. I am more surprised that it stayed on the tow truck like that..

 

After looking at all the pic's closely. I'm going to say its broken and could use a bit or repair.

 

ohh i know the differnce but look at the van. a few years ago in PA a wheel did come off a car and roll across the medium and hit another passin car and killed the driver.

 

http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/problems-dealer-service/85927-broken-wheel-studs.html

 

http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/foru...anybody-done-arp-wheel-studs-part-number.html

 

http://forum.ih8mud.com/100-series-cruisers/68161-how-change-broken-lug.html

 

As others noted, it can happen with under or over torque. All shops I've been to latley have a "bring it back withing 100km to check the lug nuts" policy. If you don't, and a wheel comes off, it kinda covers their ass. I check mine myself, with a torque wrench. I have torqued the lugs to spec after wheel rotations, only to check them after a short period of time to find they do require snugging up. Hope the dealer makes it right though.

 

lol this is why I have extra studs.

 

The tire shop my family uses has us come back after 30 or so miles for a re-torque on all aluminium alloy wheels. They expand and contract with usage I'm told and they re check and torque to spec after a bit of usage to ensure safety.

I do all my own tire rotations because said shop dinged up my wheels on my truck once. So I also do the re torque and sure enough there is usually 1 or 2 lug nuts out of the whole lot that have loosened up quite a bit. Un touched I could see potential for them to work themselves loose.

That what I was thinking. Per the factory service manual only flat tow 4wd. Potential to overheat your transfer case

 

Uhh... are you serious?



Obviously you can't prevent broken wheel studs by carrying extra studs... at least you can fix them and be on your way though.

Pound out broken studs, pull in new studs, be on your way. Better than fucking around with a tow truck and costly tow bill.

 

Thanks for all the replies & concerns. I just got off the phone with the service manager and they are taking care of everything. New lugs & locks all the way around, new studs in the damaged wheel, new brake drum, he said nothing was bent or damaged as far as the axle goes but if I have any problems with it just bring it in. They aren't saying what caused it but he said the tech properly torqued the lugs (he claims they keep a maintenance log for each vehicle that comes in) and I kinda agree with him when he says he thinks someone tried to steal the wheel but couldn't get it off so they left it. All the other wheels lugs were still torqued to spec. Only agreeing with him because people have had their wheels & vehicles stolen from where I park.

 

yep, last a-hole place it took my truck to the guy went bezerk with the impact. God only knows what he torqued them to but i had to get out a breaker bar and i thought a few times breaking them loose (just after the service) they were going to sheer off.

 

I avoid places that don't use torque sticks and torque wrenches for final tighten.

 

so let me understand this correctly. he said "hey, its not our fault...but we will fix it on our dime" ?