Hi I have owned a car for several years now and have always noticed when I would slow down to a stop it felt like something was warped on the front right side. So I had it checked out the mechanic said he did not see a problem. So today I just got sick of feeling it so I took the tire off myself and checked the rotor, bearings, brakes and gave the hub a good pulling. I could see no problems, but when putting the tire back on I noticed the rim holes were all messed up and warped looking. I checked the lug nuts and seen the tapered ends where all messed up like not tapered anymore. I just need to know and tell me if this sounds right. If the hub, bearing, rotor, and breaks are all OK this probably means someone at one point over tightened the nuts or drove the car with the nuts and tire loose?

 

Scott,

I think your assessment is quite right, and applaud you for taking the matter into your own hands, to get that information !

Just from your description, it sounds like "someone" didn't tighten the Lugs properly (not tight enough), and that damaged the Rim.

Hopefully, the Stud Bolts on your Axel Hub are still in good shape, but, to resolve that situation, I would suggest that you replace the Rim and the Lug Nuts.

Occasionally, one's Spare Tire/Rim is a match for what's on the ground. IF that's the case, you may use it by just changing the Tire out if necessary. Then you'll only have to replace/buy the Lug Nuts. Also, given the severity of this problem, would it be a good idea if you put your spare on (regardless of match), until you can get this issue resolved ?

Problems like this frequently arise, and are not Vehicle Manufacturer Specific, otherwise our information resources may be limited

 

Yeah well unfortunately I found out that it was because the rims were torqued to tight. The way I know is today when I changed the rim out I went ahead and decided to change the front pads. When I took off the other side the rim was the same way. So I took all the tires off and the two back were like that as well just not as bad as the front probably because of the weight that was on them. I might add that I literally had to get the nuts off using a breaking bar and a small sledge hammer. See I had went and had four new tires put on about a year ago and that was the last place that touched the rims. I should have known better then to have it done a WALMART. The moron super over torqued everyone. So I have to have the rest of the rims changed as well. I guess I was right in the overtightened thing just didn't know he did it to all four rims. Thanks for the quick response though, and god forsake avoid WALMART.

 

WOW, that's going to be costly to get ALL that fixed, and I agree with you on Walmart and other "we sell tires too" type stores as well. That industry is replete with stories about Rims which were damaged during the mountings, and situations like yours.

I'm really glad you brought this to the Forum. I have the opportunity to discuss Tires and Rims very frequently here. Previously, I haven't been mentioning/emphasizing the importance of proper torque on the Lug Nuts and other install issues. I'll be adding that to my discussions in the future.

Thanks for your input and followup.