NCT missing wheel nut

freshpopcorn

I've an NCT Tomorrow and I've just noticed a helpful relative decided to change one of my tyres for me without being asked and they lost one of my wheel nuts.

What class of a fail is this in the NCT?

Atlantic Dawn

Will be a MaD fail, see page 72, not fail dangerous.
https://www.rsa.ie/Documents/NCT/New%202018/NCT%20Manual%202018.pdf

Is there a Woodies or major hardware shop near you? They should have bolts of size needed, cosmetically may look brutal but passable. Take one from another wheel with you for measurement, think they are generally size 19mm or 21mm depending on car.

con747

Pop into your nearest car dealer or motor factor and they should have one. A local mechanic might as well. Worst case borrow one off anyone you know with one that fits for the hour.

FishOnABike

Is there a main dealer for the car make nearby or try ringing a few scrapyards if you have time before the NCT.

freshpopcorn

Thanks, I just have to work something out.

The relative also have lost the wrench for taking off the nuts.:(

Buffman

freshpopcorn wrote: »

The relative also have lost the wrench for taking off the nuts.:(

Make sure you never let that person go near your car again, I wouldn't even trust them to tighten up the other nuts if they're that careless.

freshpopcorn

Buffman wrote: »

Make sure you never let that person go near your car again, I wouldn't even trust them to tighten up the other nuts if they're that careless.

He’s my father. He wasn’t asked in the first place.
He won’t leave anything alone and always wants to be helpful.
We see a lot of similarities with him and Frank Spencer.

Buffman

freshpopcorn wrote: »

He’s my father. He wasn’t asked in the first place.
He won’t leave anything alone and always wants to be helpful.

Ah, delicate situation so.


Worst case scenario it's a free visual retest so I'd still do the test even if you don't get it replaced.


I'd definitely prioritize getting all other nuts checked for tightness as soon as possible though.

jelutong

Tyre fitters usually have a good selection of wheel studs and nuts in stock.

freshpopcorn

I got the nut/stud sorted. When I said the wrench was missing also I was mistaken. I meant to say. He lost the screw to take off the anti theft nut.
So, I’ve to get that sorted.

It failed for a coil spring so nothing overly serious.

CianRyan

freshpopcorn wrote: »

I got the nut/stud sorted. When I said the wrench was missing also I was mistaken. I meant to say. He lost the screw to take off the anti theft nut.
So, I’ve to get that sorted.

It failed for a coil spring so nothing overly serious.

A coil spring is definitely serious.

Also, the suggestion of getting a standard nut from a hardware store is baaaaad advice.
Ugh, the internet...

freshpopcorn

CianRyan wrote: »

A coil spring is definitely serious.

Also, the suggestion of getting a standard nut from a hardware store is baaaaad advice.
Ugh, the internet...

I got a proper nut at the mechanic. I didn't really intend on going to Woodies.

The NCT guy said the thing about the coil spring as did my mechanic but thanks for the imput.

Spook_ie

freshpopcorn wrote: »

I got the nut/stud sorted. When I said the wrench was missing also I was mistaken. I meant to say. He lost the screw to take off the anti theft nut.
So, I’ve to get that sorted.

It failed for a coil spring so nothing overly serious.

Just as a thought, have you checked the wrench to see if the locknut adaptor is still in it?

freshpopcorn

Spook_ie wrote: »

Just as a thought, have you checked the wrench to see if the locknut adaptor is still in it?

It’s not there.

FishOnABike

You wouldn't want to get stuck at the side of the road with a puncture unable to change a wheel because you don't have the lock nut key. I'd try to find it sooner than later.

If you can't find the lock nut key you might be able to get a replacement from a main dealer if the lock nuts on the car now were fitted from new.

If the worst comes to the worst most garages or tyre fitters would be able to remove the locknuts without damaging them and either identify the key needed or replace them with four new lock nuts and matching key.

freshpopcorn

FishOnABike wrote: »

You wouldn't want to get stuck at the side of the road with a puncture unable to change a wheel because you don't have the lock nut key. I'd try to find it sooner than later.

If you can't find the lock nut key you might be able to get a replacement from a main dealer if the lock nuts on the car now were fitted from new.

If the worst comes to the worst most garages or tyre fitters would be able to remove the locknuts without damaging them and either identify the key needed or replace them with four new lock nuts and matching key.

Ya, I understand the situation and need to get it sorted.
I was under the impression tough just normal nuts would tough and I wouldn’t need lock nuts. (Tyre fitter even recommend it.)

The Continental Op

OP not a ford is it? I've replaced 4 springs on focuses we've owned.

Cheensbo

CianRyan wrote: »

A coil spring is definitely serious.

freshpopcorn wrote: »

The NCT guy said the thing about the coil spring as did my mechanic but thanks for the imput.

Ye might be crossing your wires men - It's serious in terms of how it affects the car, not serious in terms of ease/price of fix.

freshpopcorn

Cheensbo wrote: »

Ye might be crossing your wires men - It's serious in terms of how it affects the car, not serious in terms of ease/price of fix.

I understand the situation and I know where your coming from.

freshpopcorn

freshpopcorn wrote: »

I got a proper nut at the mechanic. I didn't really intend on going to Woodies.

The NCT guy said the thing about the coil spring as did my mechanic but thanks for the imput.

Be very careful with the coil spring.

I've had a coil snap the day after the NCT test - not once, but twice.

Get both sides done at the same time.

CianRyan

Cheensbo wrote: »

Ye might be crossing your wires men - It's serious in terms of how it affects the car, not serious in terms of ease/price of fix.

Yeah that's fair, my brain is hardwired for technical, pricing often goes over my head.

freshpopcorn

Deleted User wrote: »

Be very careful with the coil spring.

I've had a coil snap the day after the NCT test - not once, but twice.

Get both sides done at the same time.

I understand the situation but thanks anyway.

FishOnABike

freshpopcorn wrote: »

Ya, I understand the situation and need to get it sorted.
I was under the impression tough just normal nuts would tough and I wouldn’t need lock nuts. (Tyre fitter even recommend it.)

Normal wheel nuts will keep the wheels on. The question is will they stop someone taking the wheels off. If you've got decent alloys not using locking wheel nuts could be a false economy.

CianRyan

FishOnABike wrote: »

Normal wheel nuts will keep the wheels on. The question is will they stop someone taking the wheels off. If you've got decent alloys not using locking wheel nuts could be a false economy.

Unless they're some expensive, rare and desirable Japanese or German aftermarket wheel, I doubt they'll warrent a lock nut.
The last garage I worked in had a strict policy on ****ing lock nuts in the bin on all trade ins, where a lot of these wheels would have cost about €2500 to replace.
No one steals wheels anymore because it's rare that a car comes with steel wheels.

The Continental Op

The Continental Op wrote: »

OP not a ford is it? I've replaced 4 springs on focuses we've owned.

Wish I hadn't posted that earlier Just back from the NCT and have 2 front springs to replace on a Ford Focus :rolleyes:

Not a big deal car is no danger to drive and I can do the job myself about €80 in parts.

It really depends where the spring is broken. On mine the ends have broken off that has next to no effect on the way the car drives.

BlakeS94

The Continental Op wrote: »

Wish I hadn't posted that earlier Just back from the NCT and have 2 front springs to replace on a Ford Focus :rolleyes:

Not a big deal car is no danger to drive and I can do the job myself about €80 in parts.

It really depends where the spring is broken. On mine the ends have broken off that has next to no effect on the way the car drives.

I had a rear spring break on a previous car, the opposite side went shortly after the first, car resembled a dog dragging its hole along the carpet when it was driving along. They both broke on the first coil down from where its seated at the top.

zilog_jones

CianRyan wrote: »

Unless they're some expensive, rare and desirable Japanese or German aftermarket wheel, I doubt they'll warrent a lock nut.
The last garage I worked in had a strict policy on ****ing lock nuts in the bin on all trade ins, where a lot of these wheels would have cost about €2500 to replace.
No one steals wheels anymore because it's rare that a car comes with steel wheels.

I'd agree with this - unless they're particularly valuable or desirable wheels, locking nuts are not worth the hassle.

The Continental Op

zilog_jones wrote: »

I'd agree with this - unless they're particularly valuable or desirable wheels, locking nuts are not worth the hassle.

Swapped all the wheel nuts on my Ford Focus for these https://www.amazon.co.uk/Alloy-Wheel-Nuts-Washer-Wheels/dp/B07Y3LLP89 best deal I could find. Not just the locking nuts on Fords are a hassle, the actual nuts are a total pain. The Ford wheel nuts are made in two parts an inner nut with an outer polished skin. After a few years you get a reaction or corrosion between the two and the nuts swell so you can find yourself at the side of the road with a wheel brace that won't go over the swollen nuts.

When I changed them on my ten old car several original wheel nuts that I had to hammer an oversized socket onto. Ironically the lock nuts came off easy.

freshpopcorn

That's why I told not to bother getting the VW anti theft nuts again. It was mainly to them being hard to get off with age, corrosion, etc.
I suppose some might want 14 year old and slightly weathered VW Alloys tough.