So, I was having a new set of tires put on my Mini yesterday and the tire guy calls me and said, "whoever worked on your car last time WAY overtightened your lugs and cross threaded one."

Bummer, said I. Sure enough by the time I got there the tire guy showed me a stripped lug bolt. The only shop to lay hands on my car is my local Mini dealer and they did my front brakes a while back.

I wonder who did the deed? It's very disappointing to think of that level of plain old carelessness. I took the Mini into the dealer this morning and they were kinda like, "really, that's odd."

I made them promise to return the damage studs to me. I am hoping that they didn't manage to foul up the hubs in the process.

 

Most mechanics (including dealers) don't really pick up the torque wrench unless the parts being worked on are really important, i.e. head bolts, valve-train, piston rods.

And of course, they'll never admit the mistake. That's just bad business practice. Kinda makes you wonder what good business practice is.

 

I'm not accusing anyone of anything, but there is the potential that your tire changer buggered up your stud and is just blaming someone else? Just a thought.

YD

 

YA! thats what i started thinking right when i read this, i was saying hmmmmm a good cover up job perhaps........

Just throwing it out there.

 

It's prudent to just check things yourself after someone has handled your stuff---otherwise, you never really know.

 

Usually crossthreading studs is done by starting the lugs with the impact wrench. And that's something I've seen tire companies do over and over *ahem* pepboys *cough* ntb

 

This is why I have a winter set and a summer set, so I can do the switch myself and torque them perfectly.

 

Sorry to hear about your experience. I can't say I'm surprised, but it doesn't make the event any less disappointing. Make sure you check out everything before you let the issue go, you don't want to find out later that you'll have to replace the hub!

Since I bought a 10 year old car, I have learned a ton about DIY work, and can honestly say I love doing it. Not only do I know my car is getting the treatment it deserves, but it's so fulfilling knowing that I can keep my own car running without the chance of getting taken advantage of by someone out to make a profit. Especially with cars like mine, it's either DIY or perish.

 

It's not impossible, but think about it: If the tire guys had OT 'em they would have just buttoned things up and I would have never known until the next time I had the wheels off.

The stud's threads are not going to get stripped being taken off and if they over torqued them who would have ever noticed?

The Mini dealer ended up replacing two studs AND the hub...no charge. They must have known the damage happened on their watch...