Author Topic: Wheel bolt head snapped off, ok to drive it?  (Read 6949 times)

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Chris Lakin

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Wheel bolt head snapped off, ok to drive it?
« on: July 14, 2006, 02:33:03 PM »
hi all, just finsihed putting m resprayed wheels on the 126, i was nipping up the last wheel bolt turned once and snap, the head has come off of te bolt, other 3 bolts are ok, is it ok to drive one mile up the road slowly to the show im going to sunday? or is it a no no?

would be the last blooming wheel and bolt!!! They are 30 odd years old though.

would appreciate the advice

regards

Chris
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fiatfsm

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Wheel bolt head snapped off, ok to drive it?
« Reply #1 on: July 14, 2006, 04:55:35 PM »
As it is only a mile I would do it, however, be aware if anything happened your insurance would be void. Shame if you couldnt take it though as we need as many 126s as we can get Sunday, owing to lack of support :oops:
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PaulB

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Wheel bolt head snapped off, ok to drive it?
« Reply #2 on: July 14, 2006, 05:09:33 PM »
I also think you'd be okay if you take it easy, but if you have another bolt I'd take the wheel off, get the bolt out and replace it. Sounds like the wheel bolts have been badly overtightened at some point, so the other three may not be up to much. Mechanics routinely tighten these old wheel bolts up to huge torques as they are too lazy to do properly, and owners often think standing on a wrench is the way to do it.

You'd kick yourself if you trashed a wheel, arch or drum over a single bolt and its not a big job with some mole grips. It would be worth ordering some new wheel bolts at some point as one snapping is a definate bad sign.

126dave

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Wheel bolt head snapped off, ok to drive it?
« Reply #3 on: July 14, 2006, 06:11:15 PM »
i agree with paul,at least try and remove/replace the bolt,and only drive it as a VERY last step with 3 if you cannot.

ALSO,wheels with a missing bolt can flex slightly,loosening the remaining bolts/lugs/nuts......be carefull
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Chris Lakin

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Wheel bolt head snapped off, ok to drive it?
« Reply #4 on: July 14, 2006, 06:44:34 PM »
Panic over feeeeeeeew!

all is fine, took it round to my brothers he drilled it out, within a few minutes, and guess what this must be a first, i used a fiat 500 wheel bolt to replace snaped one!!!! I will get a b#lloking now for taking advantage of an old 500 :D that will be the first! The spring clip was realy flat i.e. no spring in it, which i dont think helped.

Barry the car will be there even if i have to carry it on my back! :D

one other question lads, steering is dead heavy i thought was just tyre pressure but all aired up now, checked steering box oil loads in there. Can only be king pins? ive greased them up, still solid steering, no play in the pins whatssoever so any suggestions?

paul im taking your advice will order some new bolts asap

cheers guys.

Chris
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richard

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tourque
« Reply #5 on: July 14, 2006, 07:30:29 PM »
might be worth getting a tourque wrench chris

i know from experience when i snapped a fiat 500 wheel bolt off inside the hub... ouch ........


read manual and get torques and write in back of your haynes or somewhere

then u should be ok

126dave

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Wheel bolt head snapped off, ok to drive it?
« Reply #6 on: July 14, 2006, 08:09:13 PM »
''solid'' when still or ''solid'' when moving?,if still that means something mechanical/dry,if moving that means tracking.......glad you sorted that lug
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fiatfsm

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Wheel bolt head snapped off, ok to drive it?
« Reply #7 on: July 14, 2006, 09:02:22 PM »
Chris, you mind reader, I was going to PM you and ask if you had tried to drill it out :shock: well done, be good to see it sunday, mines all ready to go :lol:
1987 Fiat 126 FSM, alloys, clear lights, Polish tat accessories... love it!

richard

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copper slip ? ease
« Reply #8 on: July 14, 2006, 09:16:27 PM »
might be worth you using some copper slip or copper ease on your threads onyour new bolts too

i think its made by a company called comma

ChrisRLewis

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Wheel bolt head snapped off, ok to drive it?
« Reply #9 on: July 14, 2006, 09:20:46 PM »
Correct torque for 126 wheel nuts for the record
7.0 kgm or 50 lb ft

PaulB

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Wheel bolt head snapped off, ok to drive it?
« Reply #10 on: July 14, 2006, 09:36:28 PM »
For early 126s with skinny M10 bolts and the wider bolt pattern (as per Fiat 500), its just 36lb ft - these are the ones that tend to get wrecked. Torque is for dry bolts.

Richard - that copper grease is excellent for exhaust manifolds - it stops the bolts fusing with (and the threading) the head.

bis13

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Wheel bolt head snapped off, ok to drive it?
« Reply #11 on: July 15, 2006, 01:53:34 PM »
if your steering is really heavy it could be the stub axle assembly has siezed at the king pin remember what i had? the pins had no movement but were so dry they had siezed . are you getting any creaking? if so it is deffinately that. see ya at the show even if i end up driving with my ar5e on the floor.

Chris Lakin

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Wheel bolt head snapped off, ok to drive it?
« Reply #12 on: July 15, 2006, 03:55:55 PM »
hi Mick lots of creaking when i release brakes to move off, i think its just solid with old crease, stub axel needs to come ofF? See you at the show buddy.

regards

Chris
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bis13

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Wheel bolt head snapped off, ok to drive it?
« Reply #13 on: July 15, 2006, 09:19:05 PM »
chris you just dont know your own strength you animal!

bis13

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Wheel bolt head snapped off, ok to drive it?
« Reply #14 on: July 15, 2006, 09:19:56 PM »
i will bring my own stub to show you what its like.