Wheel nut question.

[carreauchompeur]

Before I make an arse of myself (Or get battered by an angry tyre fitter)...

I bought 2 tyres in February, fitted to the front wheels. Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago and I wanted the front wheel off to cure a bit of a "shimmy"... Tyre fitters (different place) couldn't get the locking nut off and then broke the key trying.

Went down to Claytons yesterday and they supplied me a new key, but managed to break that unsuccessfully trying to remove it again.

They kindly only charged me for one key, so I do have one now, but obviously I still need that wheel to come off, because sods law dictates that it'll be the one I puncture!

Is there any way wheel nuts could have tightened themselves over the past months, or otherwise seized etc? I'd like to put the ball back in the court of the original tyre fitters to get the wheel off they fitted! It hasn't been removed since.

[XG332]

Most likely it has been over tightened and then a combination of crud and corrosion had corsed it to become stuck tight.

[Mikeyplum]

When I lost my key, I got one of these:

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...

I know you haven't lost it, but these use reverse threads so could get a lot more purchase on the head of the bolt/nut.

[carreauchompeur]

Not to hand, sorry. I'll keep fingers crossed for the time being, would rather not break another nut key- It'll then be a trip to BMW with V5, etc.

[kambites]

Most likely over-tightened.

The handbook specifies the wheel-nut torque for a reason (and it's generally surprisingly low).

My local place does wheel nuts up with a proper hand torque wrench, I wouldn't take it anywhere that uses an air-gun.

[Laurel Green]

As a last resort; could try slackening the other studs/nuts and, gently rock the car back and forth to break the hold.

[carreauchompeur]

Good tips, thanks guys.

I hadn't actually realised it had been so long since the tyres were fitted, can't really expect the original place to undo them given the time lapse.

[steveo3002]

next time you get tyres done , remove the locking nuts yourself and refit after the job

infact i take the wheel off myself and take it in to save them stoving in the sill or floor pan etc

[carreauchompeur]

I'm limited in terms of tools and logistics... It's an annoyance!

[tvrgit]

kambites said:

My local place does wheel nuts up with a proper hand torque wrench, I wouldn't take it anywhere that uses an air-gun.

So does mine. Unfortunately what they do is "heave on torque wrench until it clicks... and release... and another quick pull on torque wrench until it clicks... and release... and quick pull again on torque wrench until it clicks... and release...

Now between click one and click 3, the torque wrench has turned about 20 degress or so - but try to explain to them that means it's overtightened and they say "no we did it with a torque wrench..."

Which just goes to show that if you try hard enough, you can get it wrong, doing it right.

[thinfourth2]

steveo3002 said:

next time you get tyres done , remove the locking nuts yourself and throw them in the bin

EFA

[steveo3002]

dont always be fooled by a torque wrench either

ive seen many roar them on with the air gun to xxx ft lbs , then use the wrench to check theyre tight , it doesnt back them off if theyre overtight

[.:ian:.]

The other thing to try is to do the other 3 or 4 nuts up super tight, or just the 2 nuts either side of the lock nut.

[fireturk]

judicious use of localised heat or long soak with Plusgas/WD40!