Safe to drive on 5 of 6 lugs? (Aftermarket Wheels: Black Rhino Ridge)

[fashorunner]

'19 ORP

Took in to dealer for 10k service today, got it back with a lug removed because it was "cross threaded". Had these wheels installed at Discount Tire and have put under 50 miles on them before I took it in to my local service dept where I purchased the truck from.

My question: my service advisor said they were ordering a replacement lug, which to me infers it was their fault. In the meantime, he said it's perfectly safe to drive on them until they get it. (Is that true? Especially for the 5th Gen?)

However, I was also planning on going camping this weekend, meaning loading the truck up with a couple hundred extra pounds and driving through some mountain passes with the potential for some mild off-roading.

Is this something I shouldn't even be considering without all six lugs on this wheel (right rear, if it makes any difference) in the event their replacement doesn't arrive in time or I can't find/order one in time myself?

Also: should I be making a stink about this with my advisor/service dept? So far I've rolled with the punches. Also noticed a number of scratches around the hub and in the lug wells that weren't there before I brought it in where the paint is flaking. I completely plan on putting these wheels through their paces and am sure they'll take plenty of hits in the future, but this still kind of pisses me off.

Thanks for reading—advice appreciated.

 

[MatthewMateo]

They should 100% replace that wheel and lug nut same day.

That's unacceptable.

 

[Mass 4runner]

I'm no mechanic but I would think that with five lugs present the possibility of failure or damage is very minimal if it's only for a short while and as long as you aren't operating the vehicle at or near it's load limits.

I have had the same thing happen to me and I didn't sweat it, just got a new one the next day and all was well.

 

[intenseTRD]

im confused as to what you mean by "lug". is the wheel STUD cross threaded? or the wheel NUT?

either way you should not be driving on a missing wheel nut for whatever reason it wont go back on. repairing the wheel stud is pretty simple unless the tech broke it off. a replacement should have been handled before they even delivered you the vehicle regardless of whos fault it may have been (either discount tire or the tech who did your tire rotation.

as a dealership tech myself i would trust the people over at tire shop over the guys at the quick lube rack. most of the quick lube guys are just starting their careers with their brand new 600$ overpriced and over powered 1/2 snap on impact gun.

start complaining to management before your upcoming trip is ruined!

 

[Gamma Ray]

I know it isn't entirely applicable, but if they miss a lugnut in Nascar, they get a wheel vibration, and the hole in the wheel usually gets wobbled so much that it deforms. Maybe on-road consumer stuff is stronger and wouldn't get subjected to such strain like they do in Nascar, but I don't think it's a stretch to say that something bad would happen, no matter how minute.

 

[umidkusername]

I was in the same lake, maybe not the same boat; 4/6 lug nuts were torqued, 2 barely on. Went in for my 10k service. I’ve yet to look at the rims for scratches. I’m afraid to look. Sometimes it’s just best to not know.

I’m going to another dealership for my 15k and onward.

I went to the local one because they hire people with special needs. I thought that was cool of them. But I can’t go there for that reason and risk my safety.

Also, I would seek some form of reimbursement. They should have handled that issue that day.


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[LandCruiser]

Buy half a dozen spare nuts and keep them in a nut sack in your center console for the next time this happens. I also have a few studs on hand.

 

[fashorunner]

They should 100% replace that wheel and lug nut same day.

That's unacceptable.

I guess on the spot it seemed ok given these are totally different wheels with aftermarket lug nut specs they didn't have on hand, but yeah now I'm feeling like I need to get in their ass.

 

[fashorunner]

Buy half a dozen spare nuts and keep them in a nut sack in your center console for the next time this happens. I also have a few studs on hand.

Ha I think I'll do exactly this. Except now nothing from Prime will get to my place by the time of my trip...

 

[fashorunner]

im confused as to what you mean by "lug". is the wheel STUD cross threaded? or the wheel NUT?

either way you should not be driving on a missing wheel nut for whatever reason it wont go back on. repairing the wheel stud is pretty simple unless the tech broke it off. a replacement should have been handled before they even delivered you the vehicle regardless of whos fault it may have been (either discount tire or the tech who did your tire rotation.

as a dealership tech myself i would trust the people over at tire shop over the guys at the quick lube rack. most of the quick lube guys are just starting their careers with their brand new 600$ overpriced and over powered 1/2 snap on impact gun.

start complaining to management before your upcoming trip is ruined!

Yeah. so the wheel nut/lug nut. The stud is intact, I'm just driving on it without any type of lug nut on it.

 

[LandCruiser]

Ha I think I'll do exactly this. Except now nothing from Prime will get to my place by the time of my trip...

Given how often tire shops and dealers break wheel nuts and studs, they never seem to have any on hand.

I still make them BUY a replacement if I have to provide them with one.

 

[MatthewMateo]

Yeah, I didn't consider that the parts might not available same day.

Either way, they'd be giving me a loaner because there's no way I'm driving around in a vehicle that doesn't have a wheel correctly torqued down.

 

[<<<<]

I wouldn't drive around with 5 lugs torqued to 81 ft/lbs and sixth one to 0 ft/lbs. In the future ask the shop to hand torque lugs to specs or you'll take your business elsewhere.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

I think you are fine for a while with 5 lug nuts. Most vehicles only have 5 to start with. Just don't do anything crazy. Are your wheels hub centric like a stock wheel? If so I would be less concerned. If it is relying on the studs to hold the weight I would be more concerned.

 

[badattitude]

Not a big deal, it happens. Let them replace it. Ok to drive with 5

 

[spartacus]

I would've never left the dealer ship with 5 lugs I would have told them to take one off of a new one and put it on mine so I can drive safely and let them try and sell a new one with 5 nuts while explaining to the new buyer it's safe don't worry about it.

 

[JLTD]

I think you will be fine. Do a Google search for 3 lug wheels...