Lugs breaking!?!

[schneidermj]

Hello all,

Last week I had to have a lug replaced as it snapped with little more than hand tightening (I noticed it was loose after a 4x4 trip). I just put on Nitto Terra Grapplers this afternoon and told the tech about the lug snapping the other week. While watching the tech install the tire, he snapped one as well with little pressure.

The dealer took care of the first with no questions asked (he mentioned they had a couple others come in) and gave me a little grief the second time around. I'm going to request them to replace all lugs with something other than tinfoil...

Anyone else have this issue?:cursin:

 

[TechWrench]

Hello all,

Last week I had to have a lug replaced as it snapped with little more than hand tightening (I noticed it was loose after a 4x4 trip). I just put on Nitto Terra Grapplers this afternoon and told the tech about the lug snapping the other week. While watching the tech install the tire, he snapped one as well with little pressure.

The dealer took care of the first with no questions asked (he mentioned they had a couple others come in) and gave me a little grief the second time around. I'm going to request them to replace all lugs with something other than tinfoil...

Anyone else have this issue?:cursin:

Haven't had any problems with mine, so far. Have you had it in the shop recently for any service? Maybe someone left the lug nuts loose, and they got damaged while driving?

 

[sharp4runr]

No problems here. I've been driving since January 04.

 

[schneidermj]

I took the 4runner in yesterday to have a lug replaced and they broke another one while testing the others. The specs say 83ft lbs and they checked them to 82. They were afraid to tighten them anymore. What a joke! If any others break, I will most likely be forced to pay for it.

 

[MAC4Runner]

schneidermj -

Sorry to hear about your lugnuts. On a side note how do you like the Nittos so far? Any pics?

TIA

 

[TechWrench]

I took the 4runner in yesterday to have a lug replaced and they broke another one while testing the others. The specs say 83ft lbs and they checked them to 82. They were afraid to tighten them anymore. What a joke! If any others break, I will most likely be forced to pay for it.

I 'm having a hard time understanding how the dealer could charge you for the lugs breaking. I would think they would be covered under warranty. Unless you had someone remove and install the wheels and overtorque them, how could it be your fault. I would take it up with the service manager, and go higher up the chain if that doesn't work.

 

[Bluto]

They may be cross-threading them also.

 

[schneidermj]

MAC4runner-I couldn't be happier with the Nitto's. Discount Tire had a sale on them for $127 and after I was able to get $35 trade in on "Duncraps"-a good deal! As for performance goes-great. Little to no road noise, t4r "looks" like a truck, a little stiffer ride, and good gripping ability. I found a 2' deep mud hole to spin the wheels. No spinning. I shot out of mud hole. Great tires!!! I've used the BFG KO's in the past but refused to pay $185 for a tire. The Nitto's are aggressive-I would say a cross between an AT and MT. I'll be going over Medano Pass (Sand Dunes-CO) this weekend. Sand, mud, and about a dozen stream crossings-fun!!! I'll post some pics early next week.

TechWrench-Yes, my thoughts exactly. They put the blame on Discount Tire. I watched DT put the new tires on and visually checked the torque wrench. Before any of the lugs broke I checked them at around 4,000 miles on the new 4r. 4 lugs were loose on the front left tire and 2 lugs on the rear left. That's what stressed the lugs. I have a feeling there will be a few more lugs breaking. Is it easy to install new lugs? Lugs are cheap enough so I may do it myself for piece of mind and saving myself about a days worth of wages sitting at the dealer.

 

[toyo]

Well I can tell you for sure Toyota must have had a bad batch of nuts. The tire store I use does everything by hand. They loosen and tighten by a torque wrench. Two of mine have broken already. The owner keeps them in stock because they break all the time. In regards to the dealer paying for it: To me it is not worth the headache of making appt, taking car in, having to hear there bullcrap of who's fault it is. I would just rather pay the three bucks myself.

 

[schneidermj]

Toyo, sorry to hear that you're experiencing the same issue. I'm thinking I'll be doing the same as you-avoiding the headache.

 

[ikerunner]

Lug Breakage

I had this problem with my 1992 - I snapped 2 lugs off while putting the tires back on after changing out the shocks. I had to pull apart the entire hub assembly - tap out the studs and replace them with some Grade 5 hardware. I'd originally thought the lugs had been over torqued using a pneumatic drill when I had my tires changed, but after reading this, maybe Toyota saved some money by using lower grade materials.