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Soft wheel studs

Discussion in 'Prius v Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by SmellyTofu, Mar 5, 2017.

  1. SmellyTofu

    SmellyTofu Average punter

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    Understand that a few guys here are having some issues with wheel stud on Gen3 but yesterday, I broke one and feel that some other studs have been elongated but yet to break. Has anyone found this or is it me as this car is the only one that still gets dealer servicing.
     
  2. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    Soft wheel studs? Or severely over torqued lugnuts on a regular basis by service people using pneumatic impact drivers?

    I think the latter.
     
  3. Air_Boss

    Air_Boss Senior Member

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    How many hundred foot-pounds was the dealership air wrench packing?
     
    xliderider likes this.
  4. EZW1

    EZW1 Active Member

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    Wheel studs are made of hardened steel for safety and reliability (don't want studs breaking off while driving, do we?). So obvious cause of stretching is over torqueing with impact drivers. When I need new tires I always take the vehicle to Discount Tire. They always torque to manufacturer's spec and have a 2-person system in place to assure they are torqued properly. Sorry to hear of your abuse
     
  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    That sounds like the "smoking gun". Talk to the Service Manager, and maybe the dealership owner? They might come around, maybe spring for complete stud replacement. And a shake-up in the service department?

    I wonder if the lug nuts would be suspect too?
     
  6. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    They should be doing the final tightening of the lugnuts by hand with a torque wrench. It is usually policy for safety and quality assurance.
     
  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    What about "torque sticks", are they effective?
     
  8. WilDavis

    WilDavis Senior Member

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    I always carry a torque-wrench just in case, after noticing many years ago, after parking, that one of the lug-nuts on my Corolla had backed-off to the last couple of turns - I had just collected the car from having the tyres done!

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  9. Air_Boss

    Air_Boss Senior Member

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    Torque sticks are fine as long as they remain calibrated. I would worry that they change properties as they are used ('work' the metal) so may not limit torque as effectively. No substitute for a proper torque wrench, though.
     
    #9 Air_Boss, Mar 11, 2017
    Last edited: Mar 11, 2017