Tire Stud Snapped Off, Help Needed!

[TfourR]

So I called America’s Tires and spoke to their store manager. He said he was aware of the issue because the tech approached him about it. They’re actually going to reimburse the cost of the repair. He also told me that the torque wrench and all of their other tools gets calibrated weekly.

Good, I figured they would take care of it. I can also confirm they calibrate all their machines and devices weekly.

 

[jrandom]

So if its Friday and that torque wrench has been used all week without being de-tensioned after every use, it would still be accurate? Hmmm, yeah I think I would use the shop the day they calibrated all their tools... or simply just have them mount and balance and install them yourself.

 

[TfourR]

Good that they are paying for their tech’s mistake. However, I know those damn torque wrenches don’t get calibrated nor do they have any.

How do you know they don’t get calibrated or have any?

 

[TfourR]

So if its Friday and that torque wrench has been used all week without being de-tensioned after every use, it would still be accurate? Hmmm, yeah I think I would use the shop the day they calibrated all their tools... or simply just have them mount and balance and install them yourself.

They have about 20-30 torque wrenches they rotate through throughout the week.

 

[Hans Moleman]

It seems like the studs are really weak. I broke 1 stud on mine and 2 more look stretched. I replaced them myself and fortunately it was pretty easy.

I can tell when the stud is about to break when I keep torquing and then suddenly feel it takes less force to turn even before the torque wrench clicks.

However my 2006 Tacoma uses the same studs based on the part number and they never broke or feel like breaking after 13 years of use.

 

[jrandom]

They have about 20-30 torque wrenches they rotate through throughout the week.

Good to know, 20-30 more opportunities for sh!t to go wrong. You speak as if you know all 950+ Americas tire dealers in the US do exactly as they are supposed to every week of every year. Truly I wish they did. I've had friends that have busted tires 7 days a week too, it's not easy work. No, it isn't rocket science BUT it is draining & repetitive, in which humans by nature get complacent.

I have just seen a lot of threads/posts discussing stretched broken wheel studs, a combination of inaccurate torque, inexperienced tech and weak/soft material in wheel studs, who knows. Just saying, more oft than not things break because of human error.

Side note: I just had the wheels off of a friend's Colorado ZR2, those studs/lugs take 100ftlbs.

 

[1jzgte]

OEM wheels?

 

[Mutant138]

I didn't know they could calibrate tq sticks?? That's all these shops ever use if anything.

I breath over their shoulders during the whole process. Out of the way but right in the bay door watching everything. In fact I've already told myself going forward that I will request to TQ the wheels down myself with my wrench.

Just not worth sheering a wheel off in the middle of the desert by myself.

 

[Stephencovar]

UPDATE: Everything got taken care of. Toyota took care of me quickly and in short notice and America's Tires reimbursed be the cost of the parts and labor. I am just happy that it wasn't anything too serious and was taken care of in a timely and progressional manner. Thank you everyone on here for hearing me out and giving me peace of mind. I am so happy to be party of this 4Runner community! Now it's time to enjoy those KO2's. To answer someones questions above, yes, they're wrapped around the stock wheels.

 

[wbstru]

OK this happened to me with my 2011 4 runner...most likely I did it..over torqued the stud and she broke off...its a easy fix...But some body at some time over torqued your stud...who did it can be a mystery...go by the Toyota torque specs always on those wheel studs...I dont know why their so easy to break,its been the same for years

 

[TfourR]

Good to know, 20-30 more opportunities for sh!t to go wrong. You speak as if you know all 950+ Americas tire dealers in the US do exactly as they are supposed to every week of every year. Truly I wish they did. I've had friends that have busted tires 7 days a week too, it's not easy work. No, it isn't rocket science BUT it is draining & repetitive, in which humans by nature get complacent.

I have just seen a lot of threads/posts discussing stretched broken wheel studs, a combination of inaccurate torque, inexperienced tech and weak/soft material in wheel studs, who knows. Just saying, more oft than not things break because of human error.

Side note: I just had the wheels off of a friend's Colorado ZR2, those studs/lugs take 100ftlbs.

Well since it’s a billion dollar corporation and there’s company policy stating it shall be done, I would say it would be done. But human error does exist.

 

[Stephencovar]

I just wanted to share what I was dealing with. Also, Toyota had to replace one of the lug nuts because it was stripped and not straight.

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[Charlievee]

Yep, there's your sign. Amazing how few people/techs don't know by simply turning a bolt counter clockwise( as in removing the bolt) when starting it, the threads will fall into place without the chance of cross threading. Once they do and you will feel it, consult nurse guttentight and your done.

 

[lyodbraun]

So I called America’s Tires and spoke to their store manager. He said he was aware of the issue because the tech approached him about it. They’re actually going to reimburse the cost of the repair. He also told me that the torque wrench and all of their other tools gets calibrated weekly.

Yeah right ... those things don’t get calibration checks weekly give me. A break, for one they don’t have time to do it and two they probably have no tools or calibration protocols :redbrick: he’s just blowing smoke up your ass on that one...

Sounds like operator error for sure ..and trying to go way too fast and broke things trying to pump out as many customers as they can...

 

[EddieV4runnin]

It seems like the studs are really weak. I broke 1 stud on mine and 2 more look stretched. I replaced them myself and fortunately it was pretty easy.

I can tell when the stud is about to break when I keep torquing and then suddenly feel it takes less force to turn even before the torque wrench clicks.

However my 2006 Tacoma uses the same studs based on the part number and they never broke or feel like breaking after 13 years of use.

You’re doing it wrong I’ve rotated my tires every 5k and I’m now at 45k. Never snapped one and they are always torqued to 85 ft lbs.

 

[EddieV4runnin]

How do you know they don’t get calibrated or have any?

In all my time in the automotive service and repair business, I’ve never seen or heard of anyone that makes a living going from shop to shop calibrating torque wrenches. They might have one laying around collecting dust, I guarantee you they aren’t using it on your car when it comes in. Only manufacturer that stresses torquing wheels down after a service is Honda. Might differ from dealer to dealer but North American Honda would actually provided dealers with their own preset torque wrenches.

 

[Hans Moleman]

You’re doing it wrong I’ve rotated my tires every 5k and I’m now at 45k. Never snapped one and they are always torqued to 85 ft lbs.

I’ve been torquing my 2006 Tacoma wheels to 83ft/lbs for the last 13 years and never broke a stud nor felt like the studs were ever stretching.

I also torque my year old 4Runner wheels to 83ft/lbs and I’m breaking or stretching the studs.

Yes I’m clearly doing something wrong.

 

[Stephencovar]

Yeah right ... those things don’t get calibration checks weekly give me. A break, for one they don’t have time to do it and two they probably have no tools or calibration protocols :redbrick: he’s just blowing smoke up your ass on that one...

Sounds like operator error for sure ..and trying to go way too fast and broke things trying to pump out as many customers as they can...

I figured as much. I’m just grateful that they owned up to their mistakes and covered the repair Toyota performed for me.


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[TfourR]

In all my time in the automotive service and repair business, I’ve never seen or heard of anyone that makes a living going from shop to shop calibrating torque wrenches. They might have one laying around collecting dust, I guarantee you they aren’t using it on your car when it comes in. Only manufacturer that stresses torquing wheels down after a service is Honda. Might differ from dealer to dealer but North American Honda would actually provided dealers with their own preset torque wrenches.

Sounds to me like you know how the operations of America’s Tire Corporation is conducted. Must be from all of that time in the automotive service and repair business. Smh *

 

[TfourR]

Yeah right ... those things don’t get calibration checks weekly give me. A break, for one they don’t have time to do it and two they probably have no tools or calibration protocols :redbrick: he’s just blowing smoke up your ass on that one...

Sounds like operator error for sure ..and trying to go way too fast and broke things trying to pump out as many customers as they can...

Wrong. But hey, what do I know. I only worked there.