Driving on 2 wheel nuts? (Stolen nuts???)

A-Trak

Bit of a strange one....

Due to attend a friends kid christening this afternoon, jumped in the car with the mrs and off we went, late as usual.
After about 4 miles, I noticed a knocking from the front passenger side wheel and footwell that got progressively worse quite quickly, so pulled over to take a look, nothing obvious, (to me anyway :rolleyes:) so limped to the christening venue as I was literally there.

The knocking became far more pronounced as I drove slower and pulled in, taking a right into the car park.
I'd replaced a lot of the front suspension in the past year including drop links, bushings as well as the control arms on the passenger side so thought "Bollox, somethings come loose there."

When I got out to take a closer look, 2 of the wheel nuts were missing, and a 3rd came away in my hand with no resistance. (It didn't shear off, it simply wasn't tightened at all.)
It's a 5 stud wheel.

This has left me scratching my head for a few reasons?
-I can only assume some little shit has had a go at removing the alloys and left midway? (They're factory fitted Alfa alloys, hardly rare or desirable?)
- If not, then the nuts worked themselves free, I just can't fathom this happening in 1 short trip? (I washed the car last week, all 5 present and correct?

Either way, what damage am I likely to have done to the hub, & what should I look out for?
And hypothetically if I'm looking at a few quid for new struts, hub, alloy etc, could these even be considered as a claim on a fully comp policy?

Owen

Has there been tyres fitted at any point over the last few weeks?

A-Trak

PaintDoctor wrote: »

Has there been tyres fitted at any point over the last few weeks?

About 2 months ago was the last time that wheel had been off for a new tyre.
I haven't had cause to go near it since, and if I'm honest, didn't test the nuts following the new tyre.

Owen

That's probably it so. They do recommend in a lot of tyre shops to retighten the bolts a few days after as they can slowly work their way loose. Most tyre shops just use the torque gun to bolt the wheels on, and they should really go around with a normal hand held bar afterwards and tighten them manually.

A-Trak

A-Trak wrote: »

...........

Either way, what damage am I likely to have done to the hub,

None

A-Trak wrote: »

& what should I look out for?

Wheel (steering) wobble and vibration when braking, there won't be any though

A-Trak wrote: »

And hypothetically if I'm looking at a few quid for new struts, hub, alloy etc, could these even be considered as a claim on a fully comp policy?

Dunno, interesting one though. There wasn't an accident or anything, root cause would be hard to pinpoint, were the garage negligent, were you for not checking the wheel nuts??

A-Trak

Yeah, they were torque gunned on & I sped up the ramp singing a guns and roses song at the top of my voice 30 seconds later.

Lesson learned I suppose, hopefully too expensive a one.

A-Trak

RoverJames wrote: »

Dunno, interesting one though. There wasn't an accident or anything, root cause would be hard to pinpoint, were the garage negligent, were you for not checking the wheel nuts??

Bit of both I'd say, hopefully as you say not much damaged caused, as I'd say it'd be a heartbreaker to try and argue a case both with the tyre center and insurance company.

Owen

You'll be grand, I've done the same

-Corkie-

It happened to me years ago with a 405 only the front wheel came off and I went across the road. I never found the wheel either and had to use my spare..:rolleyes:

Owen

Least you have 5 nuts to begin with. I've got 3!

PaintDoctor

PaintDoctor wrote: »

Least you have 5 nuts to begin with. I've got 3!

I only have the two

RandomAccess

RoverJames wrote: »

I only have the two

Waits for Des Bishop to join thread...

mondeo

I remember this happening to a friend of mine back in 6th year in school, He had an Escort Gti. Some weeks later his passanger front wheel nuts came off literally as he was turning into the school and the wheel fell off and wedged under the wishbone. Could have been alot worse if he had been on a main rd. He got some slagging about it though.

JerCotter7

Should probably check the bolts to make sure they are all okay. Happened a friend and the bolts sheared off when he put the nuts back on. All of his were loose though so as long as the 2 left were still tight with no movement you should be fine.

Senna

If you were hearing loud knocking then the wheel couldn't have been on fully/tightly. Is there any vibrations now that you have all 5 nuts back on?

dharn

as it is an alloy wheel which was rattling and making noise chances are the wheel will have been damaged around the holes and should be replaced

A-Trak

Senna wrote: »

If you were hearing loud knocking then the wheel couldn't have been on fully/tightly. Is there any vibrations now that you have all 5 nuts back on?

The wheel was definitely knocking alright.
I haven't got any replacement nuts yet, Halfords don't stock regular nuts, just locking ones which they tried to shake me down for.

Anyone know a motor factors where I can pick up some bog standard ones, south Dublin?

cadaliac

A-Trak wrote: »

The wheel was definitely knocking alright.
I haven't got any replacement nuts yet, Halfords don't stock regular nuts, just locking ones which they tried to shake me down for.

Anyone know a motor factors where I can pick up some bog standard ones, south Dublin?

Get yourself to a scrappie. They will charge about €5 for replacement nuts.