Warning about frozen lugs
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 9,815
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John Deere
Warning about frozen lugs
Just an FYI...
My local tire place put on a new set of tires yesterday, but they had to spend over 2 hours literally chiseling two of the lugs out of the wheel.
Most of the lug nuts came off normally, but these two sheared right off at the base. There is no way to get them out (and the wheel off the rotor) without doing the equivalent of a root canal with flying metal chips.
Although they try hard not to damage the wheel around the nut, it is inevitable with a massive air-powered impact chisel working in there.
These guys do thousands of cars, and they said that 90% of frozen lug nuts are on Mercedes. The design of the lug makes it prone to this problem.
Just be aware. MB tech shops often use a 180lb torque gun, but the nuts are meant to bear only 80lbs.
My local tire place put on a new set of tires yesterday, but they had to spend over 2 hours literally chiseling two of the lugs out of the wheel.
Most of the lug nuts came off normally, but these two sheared right off at the base. There is no way to get them out (and the wheel off the rotor) without doing the equivalent of a root canal with flying metal chips.
Although they try hard not to damage the wheel around the nut, it is inevitable with a massive air-powered impact chisel working in there.
These guys do thousands of cars, and they said that 90% of frozen lug nuts are on Mercedes. The design of the lug makes it prone to this problem.
Just be aware. MB tech shops often use a 180lb torque gun, but the nuts are meant to bear only 80lbs.
Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: Reno, NV
C240/6 Megma Red
I put antiseize on all of my lug nuts. When I go to the shop I told the manager do not use the air tool it will snap the bolt and I will not pay for it. If I have time I will stay and watch them fix the car or even take off the rim let them fix the flat tire and put it back myself.
Some mechanic will said they torque to 80 Ft-Lb but that after air tool which is torque at 160+ Ft-Lb.
Some mechanic will said they torque to 80 Ft-Lb but that after air tool which is torque at 160+ Ft-Lb.
