GU Wheel coming off at 110km/h

[tracemul7]

Hi All,

I know I saw a thread about this before, but i can't seem to find it now :(

So, anyways ..... Kelly Safari TSR's fitted June last year. All was well.
2 weeks ago, taken back to the same place for rotate & balance before our easter hols.
Went away at Easter (local-ish) and then this weekend, had a couple of days away.
On our way home (100km/h), passed a vehicle and the back end of the patrol started to wobble like we were towing an out-of-control caravan .... kinda scary but it settled down and we wondered if it was a combination of the wind and having the roof racks .... anyways, a minute later we hear what sounded like a flat, so hubby slows down and pulls over, as I see the back passenger tyre wobbling around in the wing mirror. We stop and i leap out to see that the wheel is no longer attached to the car, but the brake calliper is sat on the inside of the tyre, and had crushed the calliper housing between the two!
Long story short, RAA came out, jacked it up, cleaned the 5 remaining bolts (1 sheared off), broke the padlock for our spare (key was at home - fail) and swapped our spare onto it. Luckily we had spare nuts from when we got the lock nuts. Plus we found 3 of the old nuts up the road - the other 3 are somewhere further back than i cared to walk.

Spoke to the place who did the balance & rotate and explained what happened, and to start with they reckoned it couldn't have been them, as it would have happened within 50kms of leaving there. They reckoned someone had deliberately loosened them. As our Patrol is in a garage overnight, and otherwise mostly in secure compound where hubby works, this is VERY unlikely. Anyways, they had a look at it tonight, and seem to accept that we haven't done anything silly .... so now we wait to see how much they are prepared to assist in the replacement of wheel, tyre, bolts, lock nuts, brake calliper housing etc ..... comes to about $2200 after talking to Nissan, although i'm sure i could push them a bit on the price. $1460 for a replacement wheel!! Nearly died when the guy told me that ... glad i was sat down!

Anyways - wondering if anyone has had any luck getting these kinds of tyre places to fork out for the repairs that are needed here?

4388543886 43887
Lesson learnt about checking the nuts regularly!

[tracemul7]

not sure why the preview shows the first pic upside down, but when it's opened fully, it seems to be ok :S

[megatexture]

First time... We did ours under insurance as our bill was up near the 4k mark using new genuine parts and got the lot replaced.

second time ffs.......
Same thing did it on insurance but this time we asked to be payed out for the alloy rim ($1200) and bought steel rims for $130 ea and then sold the alloys for $250 ea.

[the evil twin]

Well known problem with the Nissan Alloys and 90% of the time it is the left rear due to the drive torque.

Nissan recently had a big campaign to call in all Patrols with factory alloys and fit wheel nut indicators.

Dunno how you'll go with the wheel mob... most of them either tell you to check the nuts after x K's or drop back in and they will do so for you.

Heaps of threads on here about the issue

[megatexture]

they tyre mob may be more likely to pay the excess if you were to fix it under insurancerather then the repair bill and it will be a sh!t load cheaper then $2200 either way.

ours were both front left

[MEGOMONSTER]

Hi All, I know I saw a thread about this before, but i can't seem to find it now :( So, anyways ..... Kelly Safari TSR's fitted June last year. All was well. 2 weeks ago, taken back to the same place for rotate & balance before our easter hols. Went away at Easter (local-ish) and then this weekend, had a couple of days away. On our way home (100km/h), passed a vehicle and the back end of the patrol started to wobble like we were towing an out-of-control caravan .... kinda scary but it settled down and we wondered if it was a combination of the wind and having the roof racks .... anyways, a minute later we hear what sounded like a flat, so hubby slows down and pulls over, as I see the back passenger tyre wobbling around in the wing mirror. We stop and i leap out to see that the wheel is no longer attached to the car, but the brake calliper is sat on the inside of the tyre, and had crushed the calliper housing between the two! Long story short, RAA came out, jacked it up, cleaned the 5 remaining bolts (1 sheared off), broke the padlock for our spare (key was at home - fail) and swapped our spare onto it. Luckily we had spare nuts from when we got the lock nuts. Plus we found 3 of the old nuts up the road - the other 3 are somewhere further back than i cared to walk. Spoke to the place who did the balance & rotate and explained what happened, and to start with they reckoned it couldn't have been them, as it would have happened within 50kms of leaving there. They reckoned someone had deliberately loosened them. As our Patrol is in a garage overnight, and otherwise mostly in secure compound where hubby works, this is VERY unlikely. Anyways, they had a look at it tonight, and seem to accept that we haven't done anything silly .... so now we wait to see how much they are prepared to assist in the replacement of wheel, tyre, bolts, lock nuts, brake calliper housing etc ..... comes to about $2200 after talking to Nissan, although i'm sure i could push them a bit on the price. $1460 for a replacement wheel!! Nearly died when the guy told me that ... glad i was sat down! Anyways - wondering if anyone has had any luck getting these kinds of tyre places to fork out for the repairs that are needed here? <img src="http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=43885"/><img src="http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=43886"/> <img src="http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=43887"/> Lesson learnt about checking the nuts regularly!

Bloody hell, things could have gone so wrong.

[mudski]

Bloody lucky it didn't come right off. That would have been scary...One of the reasons why I didn't buy alloys for mine. While they do look nice. I don't like the risk of this happening. Chances are it wouldn't happen. But...

[tracemul7]

Thanks all - I did think about insurance claim .... but our insurance is already $110 a month, and didnt really want to see that increase too much come the renewal.

It was pretty scary, although i'm glad i didnt know what happened until we stopped lol. The lady i spoke to at the RAA kept having to tell me to calm down haha.
Only afterwards did I really think how bad it could have been, and also our trip at Easter we had my nephew in the car .... and yeah, well someone was obviously watching over me :)

Will post an update when i hear back from the tyre mob :)

[jack]

This has prompted me to go out and check my wheel nuts as I had new tyres fitted 1000k ago. Nut indicators were all still lined up but decided to check anyway.
Luckily all still tight.

[threedogs]

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/showthread.php?18630-National-check-your-nuts-day&highlight=national+check+nuts

I usually post this up before any long weekends or holidays

[TimE]

A repost but everyone should look at this Video.

I carry a torque wrench (cheapie) set at 133nm and regularly check my nuts. More often if I have rotated/changed a wheel.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kj4rSRbA67A

[tracemul7]

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/showthread.php?18630-National-check-your-nuts-day&highlight=national+check+nuts

I usually post this up before any long weekends or holidays

Yeah I've seen these posts before, but as we got ours rotated & balanced, i figured it wouldn't be an issue ... turns out it's more likely to be an issue then!

Still impatiently waiting for a call from the garage ..... patience isn't one of my strong points .....

[tracemul7]

So, phone call number 3 ... and I get the usual 'Oh, I was just about to call you'.
So they reckon that because of the Nissan recall and the fact that we've driven around for 2 weeks, that they can't be 100% sure it's just down to them, and therefore can't claim on their insurance.
They offered to get a tyre at 'cost' and to 'source' a rim (either new or second hand) .... but still wanted us to pay for it.

He reckoned the tyre (pics in original post) is still fine to drive on, and there's no problem continuing to use it ...... maybe it's me being paranoid, but I am NOT going to use that tyre ever again!

So in the end, I (reluctantly) said we could claim on our insurance if they pay the excess. He said he'll talk to the owner and get back to me.

Watch this space :)

[TimE]

Check with your insurance company. They may well meet the claim and go him for costs and not hit you for the excess.

[mudski]

This reminds me (indirectly)of that episode I think was on 4WD TV where they went out across the Simpson I think it was, there was a few guys in convoy. Was a while ago. I said to my wife that they are driving on terrible roads, long distances, on alloy wheels and I bet they will destroy a rim or two. And they destroyed two. Literally split one longways in half and massively dinted another and the nong, Alan something or other, had the rim turned over and was smashing it with the backside of an axle to try and straighten the dint. Its an alloy rim FFS, you ain't gonna straighten nothing, a big, cracked, dint. He gave up in the end and fitted another alloy from a mates Tojo.
I do love the look of the alloys but I prefer the reliability of a steelie.
Good luck to the OP in your claim...

[DX grunt]

Just checked my nuts - they're fine.

Sorry that it took a thread like this to remind me, but timely.

Hope all goes well with the 'compensation'.

Rossco

[Kevs GU]

Just checked my nuts - they're fine.

Sorry that it took a thread like this to remind me, but timely.

Hope all goes well with the 'compensation'.

Rossco

What about the wheel nuts?lol

[SonOf]

Had mine checked with the recall and plastic caps added. Usually check em every 5k at service but lost 2 the other day form the DS Front after a wheel allignment and balance.

[tracemul7]

Phone call #4 - the owner might have been able to find a rim for us. I now have the owners details to call him direct, but have to wait until Monday because he's been on leave.
I wonder how it would work if i just approached my insurance and told them what happened, and they contact the tyre place on my behalf ....
I'll see how tomorrow goes when i call this guy, and go from there.

It's amazing how after just 2 weeks on the vehicle, it comes off, yet was fine for 10months after they originally fitted them .... but they still deny it's anything to do with them! Originally they said we could have just hit a curb in a car park and tried to blame them ... WTF!?
I'm just glad we weren't fully laden for a trip away - could have been a very different story!

[outback]

A repost but everyone should look at this Video.

I carry a torque wrench (cheapie) set at 133nm and regularly check my nuts. More often if I have rotated/changed a wheel.


suggest you don't keep the torque wrench set at 133 return it to Zero after use. You may damage its spring/torque ability.
Just a thought.

[Headhoncho67]

This doesn't happen with steel wheels - only alloy??

[tracemul7]

suggest you don't keep the torque wrench set at 133 return it to Zero after use. You may damage its spring/torque ability.
Just a thought.

I sent the hubby shopping for one :)

Also, spoke to the garage owner today - and was promised a call by 10am tomorrow ..... but after 3 promises of callbacks from the other bloke, must admit i'm a little sceptical!
But i'll give him the benefit of the doubt, and will wait until tomorrow morning to see what he says :)

Hoping for something positive .... we'll see what happens!

[Timbo15]

This doesn't happen with steel wheels - only alloy??

No. Its only the alloy wheels that have this problem. But it's hood habit to check your wheel nuts anyway.

[tracemul7]

So, further update ....

Spoke to Nissan, who confirmed there was no recall for this, but rather the indicators were supplied to allow you identify if the nuts had been correctly tensioned and re-tensioned.
The official process is to check them by hand, tension in sequence to 60Nm, then tension in sequence to 133Nm.
According to Nissan, the only reason they come loose is if they are not tensioned correctly as per this process.

Spoke to the tyre place about this, and their process is to tighten by hand, then use the ratchet gun to tension them in sequence and then check them by hand. This is not tensioned specific to manufacturer specification, nor is it done in the two steps as recommended by Nissan.
However, they says that because it took 2 weeks to come loose, and because of the Nissan 'recall' (they insist on calling it that) they will only offer us $300 towards the $2000+ work that is required.

As you can imagine, not overly impressed, and I will certainly not be using TyrePower Gawler again. They also belong to the Cluse Bros chain here in SA.
While I know this is a known issue, it's interesting that the wheels were fine for 10months, and then within 2weeks of being rotated & balanced, we have issues!
Still planning to take it further! Will see what happens :)

[Clunk]

Best of luck with it and hope you get the right resolution.... Oh and keep us informed on the progress

[Parksy]

That's rubbish. Years ago my mum changed her car tyre and forgot to do the nuts up. They were only done up hand tight. It was only luck that I found 2 nuts missing and was able to sort it out. But it took about a week for the nuts that were only hand tight to work their way loose.

Good luck!

[tracemul7]

So, further to my previous posts .... the garage in question have offered us $300 towards our excess. Costs have been estimated at $2250, so not happy with this.

Nissan confirmed that the indicators are fitted to confirm that the wheels "have been correctly tensioned and re-tensioned as per the Nissan instructions for this vehicle", which is:
- tighten by hand
- tighten in star pattern to 60Nm
- tighten in star pattern to 133Nm

The garage confirmed how they fit the wheel, which is:
- tighten by hand
- tighten in star pattern to pre-set tension with their air-ratchet
- check and tighten with hand brace
Which is NOT how Nissan recommend, and therefore we are still saying they are to blame.

A letter with all the facts has now gone to the state manager of this very well known chain .... we'll see what happens next!
I am biting my tongue to stop me naming and shaming .... waiting on a response .... but not a happy bunny!
We're still running on 5 studs on that wheel, and dont have a spare .... so we're very cautious about driving her at the moment.

More updated coming when I have them :)

[tracemul7]

Hey All,

After a quick call to the interstate head office, they have very kindly agreed to arrange the repairs. The rim will be replaced with a second hand one, and the rest will be new parts. Exciting times!
Only bad thing is that the Kelly Safari TSR in that size is not in stock in Australia and there is a back log of orders, so could be a few MONTHS until they arrive! We're going to see if they can supply a similar part-worn tyre until the new tyre comes in.

All in all, pretty happy :)

[TPC]

Hey All,

After a quick call to the interstate head office, they have very kindly agreed to arrange the repairs. The rim will be replaced with a second hand one, and the rest will be new parts. Exciting times!
Only bad thing is that the Kelly Safari TSR in that size is not in stock in Australia and there is a back log of orders, so could be a few MONTHS until they arrive! We're going to see if they can supply a similar part-worn tyre until the new tyre comes in.

All in all, pretty happy :)

Good to hear, it pays to persevere.

[megatexture]

This doesn't happen with steel wheels - only alloy??


No. Its only the alloy wheels that have this problem. But it's hood habit to check your wheel nuts anyway.


I've had steel rim come loose so its not just alloy

[outback]

I've had steel rim come loose so its not just alloy

Agree. Had my steel rims come loose on my Fiat 500..
Though when you shave about 2mm of the head, polish ports, run it with a 50% racing fuel, super cool spark plugs, all 2 of them, something has got to give even at 60 miles per hour.

[tracemul7]

Hi All,

Fantastic news to announce - the work has been done :)
Studs, nuts, lock nuts and rim replaced with new ... yep, brand new RIM too !!
Plus the brake housing straightened up.

A part-worn tyre in a matching size is on the spare for now, until the stock of the Kelly Safari TSRs arrive in Australia.

They collected it and dropped it back to us after doing the work, and apologised for the way they handled it originally.

So, all-in-all - it was worth writing a factual letter with all the facts.
Note that we had done around 700km in 2 weeks, and they still accepted fault, as Nissan state the nuts ONLY come loose when incorrectly fitted.

Trace

[cgm]

Thanks for taking the time to put in this final update. It's always nice to see how these things close out.

I reckon you should also clearly again name and praise (rather than shame) this business. They have done the right thing and it's really good to see.

[tracemul7]

Thanks for taking the time to put in this final update. It's always nice to see how these things close out.

I reckon you should also clearly again name and praise (rather than shame) this business. They have done the right thing and it's really good to see.

Totally agree!
This was through Tyrepower.

Original work done by the Gawler, SA branch, who wouldn't budge on the $300 offered.
The Parafield, SA branch are owned by the same people, who we also tried to get their input, but didn't budge.
We then wrote to the SA state manager, who missed the email.
We called the Melbourne head office, and within 24 hours they had agreed to resolve the issues.
The Blackwood, SA branch got involved and were fantastic.
The Gawler, SA branch then did the work, including collecting and dropping back the Patrol for us.

So, in summary it involved a few branches, but in the end, happy with the result (although it wasn't without it's stresses and 2 months to get fixed).

[threedogs]

A lot of ppl travel that way going to the flinders or Birdsville , I would suggest to anyone travelling that way to stop in and say hello.
Better to give them your business you may need them on the return trip.
2 thumbs up to Tyre Power good to see good ppl are still out there

[cjb]

Ill be checking my wheels now.

[Mudcrab]

I first found out about this problem with Alloys after having a blowout (back left) and the tyre bloke told me to be very careful and check the nuts/indicators regularly. He took great care in tightening all nuts with tension wrench to 100 ft/lb and suggested I do the same and check regularly. Recently did 8000 km trip and nuts held tight. Maybe the tension in critical.