I have a '99 4Runner that just went into the shop for a quick tire rotation before I head off to school. The twist: GoodYear Tire Shop claims the rear wheel lugs were overtorqued or improperly threaded. He proceeded to tell me that 3 lugs on the driver rear wheel and two on the passenger were in danger of being broken. They had already broken one, so I had them put all the wheels back on so I could bring it back to Firestone, who had balanced the tires just 5000 miles earlier.

The mechanic there told me - here's the kicker - that 4Runners have an issue with heat causing the studs to bind to the hub, which seemed to explain why only the rears were troublesome. I have never heard of this before and I'm reluctant to believe it. So what do you make of this? Feel free to tell me I'm a sucker.

 

that sounds like total bs to me. Did he have a shovel in his hand?...he sure seems to be shoveling sh.t.

So you mean the studs are broken not the lug nuts....they are fairly easy to replace. Take them back to firestone and let them correct it...if its safe to drive on.

 

basically hes telling you that so he can get off the hook for whatever #### they messed up on your wheels.

 

Top portion of one lug broke off. Other half is still around stud.

 

the top portion is just the plastic cap. They still should be able to get it off. If not they are morons. Have them replace it for free, since they broke it. It wasnt like that when you brought it in.

 

That's a new one. Not that this will help the broken ones but to help prevent it, I apply a little grease to each stud if it is dry. It hepls them start/not cross thread. seize and you can only get proper torque on a lubed thread. I also try to get a little greasr on the mating surfaces of the nut and the wheel.

 

goodyear sheared a stud off the front of my 92
RS years ago. They gave me the same story about heat and told me it wasnt thier fault....after a meltdown on my behalf they fixed it 2 hours later

 

And bought me a new wheel sinced they scratched it when the stud came off

 

Make firestone fix it. Even if it WERE a problem (which is BS) then you were not warned beforehand, and told damage may be done to your vehicle. Make em fix it...Get Nasty if you must.

 

They used the impact gun to torque them on, make them pay for any studs that break an new lugs!