tyre centers etc... why the ignorance ?

[Robotstar5]

My neighbour asked if I could undo his wheelnuts so he could change a tyre as he knows I have a decent "armoury"

First up was the battery impact wrench I normally use - nope, then I got him to move round to the garage and tried the windy gun - nope, 1 metre breaker bar and I could feel it flexing so had a close look at the nut and could see it was cocked over, it had been cross threaded on .
He had it serviced a couple of weeks before so took it back to the garage, the garage owner blamed the apprentice and ended up having to replace 2 studs that were trashed.

 

[Mick Annick]

I think the motor and heavy goods industry who have spent millions of pounds on researching wheel loss, might know a bit more than an anecdotal "well it's always worked for me".

If I was to not follow the guidelines at work, and a wheel came slack or was lost, then I'd be investigated and very likely disciplined for it. If it was to also cause an accident, I could also be prosecuted for it.

In terms of HGVs/PSVs, VOSA will investigate any wheel loss incident they're made aware off, as it's seen as a major failing of roadworthiness standards.

I never cease to be amazed that this is still an issue with HGVs/PSVs; I did my apprenticeship in the late seventies - over 40 years ago - and we had Ford D series trucks spitting off broken studs on a weekly basis, yet we still don’t have the answer?

 

[grim_d]

There's absolutely nothing wrong with putting the nuts/bolts on with an impact gun then torquing them up.

Provided you turn the impact gun down.

 

[steveo3002]

you may be correct in all u say as a business but il still carry on what im doing .I also use the the puncture repair strings that are supposed to only be temporary repair here but not in other country's so even if im quoted all the legislation I wont be applying it but thanks for pointing it all out

used those strings too ...saves having to deal with tyre centers , never had any hassle with em

 

[m_c]

I never cease to be amazed that this is still an issue with HGVs/PSVs; I did my apprenticeship in the late seventies - over 40 years ago - and we had Ford D series trucks spitting off broken studs on a weekly basis, yet we still don’t have the answer?

If the relevant standards/guides are followed, then it isn't a problem.
The issue nearly always comes back to careless work. Mounting faces not cleaned properly, nuts/bolts under/overtightened, and/or excessively corroded parts, are the cause of most wheel slackening problems.

Then there are the driver induced ones, which was the last wheel slackening incident I was involved in. The driver 'limped' a lorry to a depot with a vibration through the steering, due to the front wheel coming slack. All hell broke lose because we'd only fitted pads to it a few days previous. Turned out the driver had slid the lorry in to a bollard, buckled the wheel trim and sheared several studs, but they never thought to mention that detail, and only admitted it when asked how the wheel trim was mangled.
We weren't that surprised, as it was the same company where a two man crew blamed a fuel leak for them sliding a lorry sideways into a central reservation rupturing the fuel tank. Their transport manager seen right through them, as each driver gave a different version of events, and his only response to me asking which one was sleeping, was 'precisely'.

 

[gaz1]

I made my own tire changer it works real well . after doing a few tires its easy to remove them and refit. if u get a puncture and the garage start sucking there teeth and say u need a new one as its on the borderline and the tires brand new 2 weeks old you just put a large patch on the inside and away u go . they just cover there own asses they wont even put you an innertube in them because there on a winner flogging u a new tire

whilst that tyre gets sold to the cheapo tyre place who repairs them with a patch and sells them as new

seen it all

edit what do you think happens to your part warns when local garage says its close to end of life

 

[steveo3002]

whilst that tyre gets sold to the cheapo tyre place who repairs them with a patch and sells them as new

seen it all

yeah the used tyre sellers dont seem to have the same high standards

 

[brightspark]

I know a tire fitter that used to condemn tires on commercial vehicles with nothing wrong with them that couldn't be fixed then take them himself along with others .big firms don't bother checking and just cough up

 

[m_c]

I know a tire fitter that used to condemn tires on commercial vehicles with nothing wrong with them that couldn't be fixed then take them himself along with others .big firms don't bother checking and just cough up

There's not as much opportunity for some of these things now, as company's have wised up to them.

For fleet companies, tyre leasing is quite popular. They pay a set amount per mile to the tyre company, and the tyre company covers all the tyre costs within reason. Any replaced tyres have to be returned for inspection, and I know in the case of Michelin, tyre serial numbers are traced from fitting through to disposal.


Large companies used to be seen as easy money, but they now often employ people who's sole job it is, is to monitor for questionable practices.
I've known three dealers locally who got investigated by their respective brands over such practises, and they quickly realised big companies now often have direct contacts within the manufacturer, who will very quickly deal with any billing/work queries. Manufacturer's aren't going to risk 3 and 4 digit vehicle sales, due to unscrupulous practices by a dealer.

 

[gaz1]

I can assure you these practices do still exist

 

[Mick Annick]

One of the wealthiest people I’ve known drove a 7.5t van going round transport companies buying old tyres for resale, all cash, used to ship them to Ireland and Eastern Europe for ‘fitment to agricultural machinery’ yes, of course....

 

[brightspark]

also know someone that sprayed suspension units with wd40 and said they were leaking guess where they went

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

I know it's a minor thing....but when the tyre maker has gone to the trouble of sticking a weight/alignment dot on the tyre why not just use it!

That and people sticking nuts back on with a basic windy gun with no torque limiter...

Or just shoving the jack in any old how.

Not cleaning the rim properly is another one.

Hmmm....I think I know why they are always miserable when I show up

 

[Olderisbetter]

I normally take my wheels in already off the motors and clean the wheels with TFR and a jet was first, the wheel nuts get copper slip on when i put them back on and i watch the tyre fitter while he does the job, i only use one place local and i did tell them i am old fashioned and i like to make sure my wheels won't fall off and end up killing me, last time i went i took 12 wheels to have sorted and while they were doing them i got the 2 lads a bacon butty each from the local van and they did a lovely job, i like to keep everyone sweet.

 

[dobbslc]

I had Black Circles fit a full set of Yokohama AT's to the Surf a few years ago and they have been spot on. Perfectly balanced and I think I've only had to put a couple of PSI into them since they were fitted!
Got chatting to the young lad fitting them and it turned out he loves Toyota's / Hilux's and had a surf back in Canada.
Most of the monkeys round here drive **** boxes and d0ont give a toss if your wheel falls off on the motorway.

 

[Melvyn Best]

Most of the monkeys round here drive **** boxes and d0ont give a toss if your wheel falls off on the motorway.

Happened to a guy on the A14 just outside Cambridge a few years ago after having 4 new tyres . On checking the other wheel nuts they were all loose. You can’t get thicker than a crap fit fitter!

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Provided you turn the impact gun down.

Aye, and there's the rub.

 

[keithski122]

If you know your airgun you don't need to turn it down just use it slowly to wind the nuts/bolts up, then fully tighten with a torque wrench.

 

[dobbslc]

But that's like asking them not to drive like knobs or to fit a normal exhaust to their 1.2L **** box!
Not going to happen...

 

[roofman]

when i go to my local tire depot i tell the lads to use the guns as nut runners and get the torque wrench out to Finnish..nothing worse than stuck at the road side bending wheel braces as you jump on them trying to undo nuts