Mk3 Wheel Lug Nut Sheared Off!

[Philip123]

I just changed my rear brake pads and was torquing up the wheels to 103nm and then suddenly the lug but snapped off so my question is how would I replace it and is it safe for now to drive with 4 bolts?

[steve2006]

The torque used was correct so must have been a weakened stud, replacement is easy once you can remove the old one but not sure if it can be removed without dismantling the hub assembly.

I'm sure someone who has done the job before will know more.

Obviously not recommended to drive a car with a missing wheel nut but if you are sensible and ensure the remaining nuts/studs are OK and correctly torqued it should be OK but get the repair done as soon as.

[beavisrules]

In theory the hub bolts are held in by the wheel nuts , so should just hit out.

more likely the dust shield, caliper and everything will get in the way and need the disk off to spray wd40 on it etc.

[steve2006]

That's what I was thinking, belting the remains of the old one out shouldn't be a problem but fitting the new one may be.

[Philip123]

Ok thanks for the information it's appreciated I'm so unlucky with the bolts on my Lexus I've sheared three in the months I've had the car headlight bolt and the bar on top of the Battery too! but I drilled them out ok

[abs66]

Is it possible for a torque wrench to be faulty?!

That's a lot of shearing going on there fella! Either that or you have arms like a gorilla :-)

[steve2006]

I've recently seen the Battery clamp nut sheared off on an LS400 ( not mine) and I also sheared one of the bolts securing the headlight ( on a scrapper) probably because nothing needs to be removed much due to reliability and by the time they do the fixings have seized.

I spray all visible nuts and bolts, except wheel nuts, once a year and have never had a problem.

[Philip123]

Well I was removing the Battery and headlight bolt when they sheared they where rusted in oh well not the end of the world :)

[steve2006]

WD40 soak them overnight then gently work them back and forward.

What are you using to loosen and tighten nuts and bolts a 6 foot strong bar! :D