Sheared wheel bolts

[and11]

Had a luckey escape today, thought i got a flat or blowout but found that rear wheel was hanging off with only 1 bolt ramaining. This was on busy A1 too. Has anyone had experiance off this? Also the brake caliper was sheared off probs because of wobbly wheel. Thing is i just had new brake lines fitted for mot, one of worst days ever.

 

[Mr Teddy Bear]

Write to whoever fitted the brake pipes and threaten to sue for damages take photo's get reciept's for all out of pocket expenses. The other four whl' bolts are gone I take it, I dont believe the bolt head's have snapped??
Sorry to hear of your misfortune,
Teddy Bear

 

[and11]

Write to whoever fitted the brake pipes and threaten to sue for damages take photo's get reciept's for all out of pocket expenses. The other four whl' bolts are gone I take it, I dont believe the bolt head's have snapped??
Sorry to hear of your misfortune,
Teddy Bear

Yes all gone, two where broken and still in thread, got them out now though, such a bad experiance im thinking of selling the car as i also had two children in. Thanks for ur reply, Andy.

 

[jberks]

Almost certainly down to whoever did the brake pipes. They probably didn't tighten the bolts or worse didn't fit them at all meaning that the remaining ones had to take a load they were never designed for.
Please name and shame so I can avoid them!
Merc wheels don't fall off normally.

 

[television]

No car can do this unless the repair was clumsy and badly done, you cant blame this on to MB. A cock up has occurred through incorrect repair procedure

 

[MIW615]

Make sure that when a repair is carried out that the wheels are checked carefully - the bolt holes more than likely have become ovalised, also the hubs that the bolts screw into need checking carefully for damage.

Dreadful story, what did the repairer say about the poor workmanship? Threathen to sue ask them what compensation they are going to offer - go for the jugular.

 

[JEZ.S320L]

Make sure that when a repair is carried out that the wheels are checked carefully - the bolt holes more than likely have become ovalised, also the hubs that the bolts screw into need checking carefully for damage.

Dreadful story, what did the repairer say about the poor workmanship? Threathen to sue ask them what compensation they are going to offer - go for the jugular.

Trading Standards may be VERY interested in this. As may a solicitor.! I feel a 'compo' coming on - especially considering that there were kids in the car. Dreadful story.

 

[and11]

Returned Home Safely!

Well, a good chap who loves the old mercs done the repair job for me so we could still use the merc for our trip.
As far as the mot stations goes i was thinking the same, but they only removed one wheel as far as i know will. I will be calling in tomorrow all the same. The other thing is i've spoke to another chap who lives nearby with a w124 and he had 2 wheels stolen, and strangly enough some overseas chaps recently asked if i would consider a swap with the wheels on there merc??? So i don't want to rush into blaming a garage who have been best so far with me.
Anyway i called at merc dealers on friday morning and they confirmed that my wheels weren't original merc ones so i got the bolts from elsewhere, i have one or two other issues with car after this trip but will post these in correct links.

 

[brandwooddixon]

Looks more like those fellas came back to steal your wheels.

If you have alloys fitted then locking wheel nuts are a definite must have item.

 

[jberks]

Merc original fit wheel locks are also (coincidentally) the best locks you can get by all accounts. A friend researched them in some detail before buying the 'best locks' he could get for his VW Passat from a local alloy wheel supplier. The key even had a 3 pointed star on it!

 

[and11]

Looks more like those fellas came back to steal your wheels.

If you have alloys fitted then locking wheel nuts are a definite must have item.

Yes i'm going to purchase some new ones, this time removing one bolt to make sure i get correct ones, last time they were too long and i damaged the rear handbrake springs in hub.

 

[philharve]

Hi All

I am surprised a car could be driven for any distance in this state, with one wheel hanging off.

Many years ago I failed to tighten my wheel nuts after replacing a wheel and I was aware almost immediately that the car wasn't making the right kind of sound when I started to drive it. There was an unexplained rumble. The wheel nuts were sufficiently tight not to feel loose by hand but they were not so tight that they didn't prevent the wheel moving in relation to the hub. It wasn't many miles before I climbed out of my car (a Mini) and checked the nut tightness with a torque wrench. That's when I discovered my oversight. Damage to wheel and studs was minimal and neither needed replacing. It's a lesson that stuck with me and I now always double/triple check nut tightness.

However, I am surprised the problem wasn't discovered sooner. The noise must have been quite loud. I conclude the damage must have been sustained over a very short distance and the wheel would probably have parted company with the axle within the next few hundred yards, if that. The member was very lucky.

I agree with other members that it looks as though the last person to have removed the wheel is also responsible for the subsequent damage which could have also resulted in an accident or even a fatality. They should pay compensation and review their work processes as a matter of priority.

REGARDS

Phil

 

[television]

On a MB this may not have been felt that early on, as the wheels are hub centric, so the wheel could have been sitting centered just wobbling slightly for some time

 

[and11]

Hi All

I am surprised a car could be driven for any distance in this state, with one wheel hanging off.

Many years ago I failed to tighten my wheel nuts after replacing a wheel and I was aware almost immediately that the car wasn't making the right kind of sound when I started to drive it. There was an unexplained rumble. The wheel nuts were sufficiently tight not to feel loose by hand but they were not so tight that they didn't prevent the wheel moving in relation to the hub. It wasn't many miles before I climbed out of my car (a Mini) and checked the nut tightness with a torque wrench. That's when I discovered my oversight. Damage to wheel and studs was minimal and neither needed replacing. It's a lesson that stuck with me and I now always double/triple check nut tightness.

However, I am surprised the problem wasn't discovered sooner. The noise must have been quite loud. I conclude the damage must have been sustained over a very short distance and the wheel would probably have parted company with the axle within the next few hundred yards, if that. The member was very lucky.

I agree with other members that it looks as though the last person to have removed the wheel is also responsible for the subsequent damage which could have also resulted in an accident or even a fatality. They should pay compensation and review their work processes as a matter of priority.

REGARDS

Phil

The slight vibration only occured around 70mph, normally i would've stopped to inspect but since we renewed the front propshaft doughnut but not the vibration damper, i though thit would be cause. Still having trouble finding vibration damper

 

[jberks]

Ive had a similar experience with a Ford (entirely my fault) and I didn't notice until it got quite bad. Being hub centric I can imagine mercs being quite late to show