What causes loose/missing wheel studs

[Boldly]

Hi just returned to our static in Skegness heard a tap tap tapping. Thought it was a stone in the tyre. Gets out and has a look, one stud missing two only finger tight and two not even that. Wheel was last removed in France 2019. What could be the cause?
Thanks Dennis

 

[Boldly]

Other wheels all ok

 

[Figaro]

Failure to torque the nuts correctly.
Edit : or to check them periodically

 

[Boldly]

Can they work loose after three years, or is tampering more likely?

 

[Stoosal]

Usually I would say incorrecly torqued when fitted, wheel not mating flat onto hub by excess rust, paint etc but given it was last off three years ago something may have changed recently. Overtightening can cause bolt to stretch. If studs are periodically ‘checked’ it may be that they can stretch over time. Wheel tyre balance causing vibration? Once one becomes loose the rest can very quickly follow.

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[Boldly]

So Stoosal you think I may have lost a balancing weight recently so don't need to look out for "baddies"

 

[Stoosal]

Sorry, not being unhelpful but what has caused it to come loose may never be known.....!

I think you would be aware if the wheel balance was out as you’d feel it, especially if it was a front wheel. Would incorrect wheel balance cause a wheel to come off....well it wouldn’t help but my experience is that usually it will still hold unless very excessively out or other factors also at play.

Wheel studs should be checked ‘periodically’ to ensure they remain torqued to correct measurement. A torque wrench is best as it prevents continual tightening and potential bolt stretch which can lead to the bolts coming loose.

Repeated wheel/ bolt heating up and cooling down with braking cycles ie very hot brakes/wheels after steep descents

Could it be tampering.......maybe...? but probably unlikely.

Hitting potholes, general use, wear and tear.....who knows!

What are remaining bolts torqued to........likely all will have been set to same level? .....may indicate if they are correctly fitted to start with or if they need checked/been stretched/ damaged etc.

I worked in a garage fitting tyres for a short time and wheels coming off were very rare although not unknown. Usually problem became known a short time after a wheel was refitted....

 

[Boldly]

Thanks Stoosal wheel was fitted by a French "Kwik fit" place nearly three years ago (got puncture on dieppe ferry had to drive off with it flat French customs and police helped change it on the quayside at 530 in the morning) don't think he used a torque wrench just an air gun. I have to be honest and say I have never checked it (or the other ones since). Until two weeks ago when an Allen key got stuck in the other side. That one was still tight. Just to say contrary to other posts on here they were happy to change just one tyre even though it was a different make to the rest.

 

[Boldly]

There is no obvious mark where a balancing weight may have been and is nearside rear so difficult to feel slight movement if any. Will just have to put it down to experience. Wouldn't you know it MOT tomorrow in Leicester

 

[heliart]

There's a lot to be said for not trusting the tyre fitters windy guns. Guy a torque wrench. Aldi do them from time to time. I always make sure I can undo and do them up. You never know when you'll need to. The Aldi one I have goes to 210NM. I think most vans are 160-180NM.

Cheers.

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[Boldly]

Thanks heliart I may add that to my Xmas list. How do I make other funsters name blue?

 

[poppycamper]

There's a lot to be said for not trusting the tyre fitters windy guns. Guy a torque wrench. Aldi do them from time to time. I always make sure I can undo and do them up. You never know when you'll need to. The Aldi one I have goes to 210NM. I think most vans are 160-180NM.

Cheers.

Any tyre fitting place I have ever been to only use windy gun to part tighten nut/bolt and then go round with a torque wrench... I know cause I never take my eyes off of them..

 

[heliart]

Any tyre fitting place I have ever been to only use windy gun to part tighten nut/bolt and then go round with a torque wrench... I know cause I never take my eyes off of them..

Maybe cos you're watching. I've a classic landrover, 65NM (which is very low wheel nut torque). I'll not tell you what the tyre place did, but now I only ever take them a wheel, would not trust them with the entire vehicle.....

 

[pappajohn]

I've run a car with 3 wheel nuts on one wheel.....not for years as the OP but the remaining 3 remained tight.
I also had a car which was parked for the day
Came to drive away and all 16 wheel nuts had been loosened.
Why is anyone's guess, maybe someone had an axe to grind and recognized the car.

 

[Boldly]

Pappajohn don't think one has been missing for years as surely would have been spotted at mot (last one nearly a year though). Can't be certain as haven't checked

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[donkey]

Mot guy would not check wheel fixings if wheel trims fitted. Also you say three years, surely the vehicle has been serviced in that time ? If so wheels could have been removed for brake work etc.

Geoff

 

[Boldly]

Had new pads on front but no work done to rear as far as I can recall. Wheel trims don't conceal studs on mine.

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

Possibly someone loosened the wheel nuts with a view to steal the wheel but couldn't raise the van enough to get it off

 

[Wildbill]

Just check your studs folks thay can just work lose.
After a tire change check them after abut 100 ml.
Bill

 

[poppycamper]

Just check your studs folks thay can just work lose.
After a tire change check them after abut 100 ml.
Bill

And yer nuts.. just a gentle squeeze mind...no torque wrench required..