I let a shop do a hub job for me because I am getting old.

Bad idea.

Shop left the lug nuts loose (or over tightened them) and I drove it until all the lugnuts almost came off.

Can i safely drive it back with lugs tightened? They do not appear damaged and the nuts tightened up without thread damage.

Shop manager says no way they did it, that someone must have purposely loosened them or be trying to kill me. Can't wait to speak to him in person.

Thanks!

 

If they're tight drive it.

 

We all make mistakes and forget things and his denial would make me mad. If I was you I'd just tighten them myself and find a new shop and be thankful that something worse didn't happen. Didn't you notice something odd with all those nuts loose?

 

I wouldn't drive with loose lug nuts. Just tighten them up and find a new shop. If you make a big deal about it what would you accomplish? Would you hire a lawyer and file suit against the shop?

 

If you drove them loose, I'd have the studs replaced, either by that shop or another. Yes the hub itself should bear the weight, assuming the correct wheels are on the car, but any lateral stresses from turns, bumps, etc., can stress the studs, and if one breaks, then things can start going downhill quickly. That's another T-shirt I own.

And you don't need a lawyer. Small claims is cheap, generally heard only by a judge, but will take awhile. Only costs you time, while you can get the satisfaction of walking into the crowded service counter and loudly reading your complaint publicly and serving him in front of existing and potential customers. As long as there's a notice, it's not libel.

 

Both good points.


Kirk, only you can decide how much hassle this is worth.


I had a $1200 big screen Philips TV go bad on me a few years ago during the warranty. I chased a wild goose with Philips for over a month getting a tech to come to my home for 2 or 3 repairs. I ended up writing a strongly worded letter to the CEO in Europe. Of course, I didn't accomplish much, they ended up getting me a refurbished one that died in another month. Luckily, I was able to get store credit at Sam's Club for the TV because the manager was polite, understanding and professional.


Good luck.

 

I mis-read this initially, thinking you had already spoken with him. As Olds64 said, be polite. That can go a long way. Just calmly point out how ridiculous his argument is, and which scenario is more likely. Asking his shop to make repairs implies that there's still trust, which can be good for his business. As others have stated, everyone makes mistakes, the difference is how many acknowledge them.
Good luck.

 

Check the wheel holes for oblongness(if that's a word, lol), then throw a stank of old wvo and turn up the meth kit and shmoke'n out 😁

 

I don't know about the WVO or the meth, but the point about the lug holes in the wheel is a good one. If you drove it with all the lugs loose, I would say there is a good chance your wheels are trashed. Check the holes carefully. I would also make sure the rims themselves didn't get "tweeked" / bent in the process. I would want them to buy me new wheels if there was the slightest bit of "egging" of even one hole.

 

The aluminum wheels on our trucks are hub centered. Check the center hole of the rim for damage. If it's undamaged and the lug stud holes are in reasonably good shape, tighten the lug nuts and be on your way.

 

You did not say which vehicle, but according to spec, F150 lugs TORQUE 100 FT LBS, ALL OTHERS TORQUE 140# WHICH TAKES A LITTLE GRUNT and Torque Wrench for either (FROM MY EXPERIENCE).