Car wheel bolts and wheel nuts

How to detect faulty wheel bolts and nuts

Checking fasteners does not require special knowledge and equipment. Assessing the condition of the components by yourself is easy. It is sufficient to unscrew the components, inspect them, and then check whether there are any defects in their seats. Even insignificant damage of the bolt head or thread indicates the need to replace the fasteners. After that, check the component surface for the absence of rust and presence of appropriate lubrication.

Symptoms of faulty wheel bolts and nuts

• the grinding sound heard from the wheel side while driving or braking;
• slipping of the drive socket during an attempt to unscrew the fastener;
• crunching and creaking sound is heard when nuts or bolts are unscrewed;
• difficulty when removing components;
• unreliable fastening of the components.

The reasons of wheel bolts malfunctions

The most common reason of wheel fasteners failure is improper torque. Excessive torque applied during installation may cause damage to the threaded connection, breakage of bolts or studs, and their spinning in their seats in the wheel hub; while insufficient torque may result in deformation of the fasteners, their destruction and damage of their seats. In both cases, the risk of an accident is very high, since the wheel may detach while driving.

Components breakage is often caused, for example, by choosing improper fasteners when the car’s standard wheel disks are replaced with alloy ones. Too short bolts cannot ensure reliable wheel fastening, and too long bolts may touch and damage the components of the braking mechanism. Besides, if the shape of the components does not match the seats, the fastenings will loosen over time.

For lubricating wheel bolts, use special products which are resistant to high temperatures and washing-out. If you ignore this recommendation, threaded joints may get stuck due to rust. Also, absence of the lubricant increases the risk of scuffing on the surface of the components.

Repairing wheel bolts and nuts

Restoring wheel bolts and nuts is limited to cleaning them from the dirt, rust, and to greasing them with a special agent. Never cut the thread again, and never cut off the damaged turns of the thread at the end of the component.

To reduce the risk of components sticking and jamming, use heat-resistant lubricants for maintenance. They are only to be applied to the threaded part of wheel bolts and nuts.

Replacing wheel bolts and nuts

Replacing wheel bolts and nuts is easy. To replace, do the following:

• loosen wheel fasteners;
• lift the vehicle using a jack;
• unscrew bolts or nuts;
• check that the seats of components are not damaged;
• apply lubricant to the threaded surfaces of the components and screw them in;
• lower the vehicle, and then tighten the fasteners with the torque specified in the technical documentation for the vehicle.

If one bolt or nut is replaced, always ensure that it is not different from those already installed. When replacing all the fasteners, follow the diagram specified in the technical documentation for the vehicle. This will ensure proper positioning of the wheel, and its snug fit to the surface of the brake disc.