My friend's son has a 2002 SE on which he recently had some new tires installed. About two weeks following, one of his wheels came off (photo below of the enlarged holes). My understanding is that in that time the vehicle had only been driven about 50 miles. Now, in my little corner of the world, EVERY reputable shop that sells and installs tires hangs a tag on the mirror as a reminder to return in about 100km (60 miles) to have the lug nuts re-torqued. Every reputable shop here also performs the final torque (at both the initial installation, then at the re-torque) by hand with a torque wrench. The shop is stating they are not responsible because if it was their negligence it would have happened much sooner than two weeks. I'm going to recommend that they pursue small claims court. I'm not usually big on this but since they won't accept responsibility, it seems like the only option.

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My opinion as a shop owner is that the shop would be wise to do what ever it takes to make this right. Going to court over something like this almost never ends well for the shop. If the the damage is limited to wheel, studs, etc. the amount is likely below their insurance deductible, but so what. I wouldn't turn in a small claim like that anyway, and they should be glad that there was no personal injury. The shop should be doing back flips to make this go away.

all the shops in my area dont usually hang anything for notifications or anything like that. i like that idea although id remove it and re torque it myself

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2003 pontiac bonneville Sle with kenwood sound system. Upgraded tweeters, door speakers, deck speakers, kenwood sub and amp. Rage r20 18inch rims. Front and rear KYB shocks and struts. GXP Strut tower brace.. She's a work in progress still

hi, I'm not an auto tech by trade but I never had the need to retorque any wheels for twenty years- 103 ft/lbs on all my rides.
I believe you have a case but you must be prepared for the show- I suggest getting 2 signed affidavits from 2 separate shops and make them squirm. also, don't do anything stupid like posting rip-off reports or getting mad at the shop. if you prepare well enough, they may cave in when you serve them initially.

those holes look like the wheel was rattling around for a while, why didn't the driver stop? I'm sure this will come up in court and you can use it to aid you in your proof of culpability....why would it rattle if the wheel was properly installed? why?

also, go to gm dealer and get a printed estimate for a new wheel and tire installed by them.......that will teach the bastards!!!

And always remember: vengence is a dish best served COLD!!!

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poverty forces one to do unorthodox things

2000 SSEi
past rides:
1996 SSEi
1992 GTP
1987 Grand Am

I normally don't but I don't trust a lot of the shops in my area especially dun tire. They screwed up 2 of my cars underside since they put the lift in the wrong place and tried to charge me 300 for camber bolts... Only place I trust is the mechanic that my whole family goes to. He puts dealer parts in and pretty quick any it too. Problem with him is price but it's worth it

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2003 pontiac bonneville Sle with kenwood sound system. Upgraded tweeters, door speakers, deck speakers, kenwood sub and amp. Rage r20 18inch rims. Front and rear KYB shocks and struts. GXP Strut tower brace.. She's a work in progress still

In all my years of driving I've only had a wheel come loose once following service and this was a very long time ago. I was able to feel something wasn't right before any type of catastrophic event. I've been driving for more than 30 years and spent countless hours behind the wheel in all kinds of conditions so I can typically sense very subtle noises and vibrations that aren't quite right. My friend's son isn't a car guy, nor does he have a lot of driving experience, both of which work against him here. These wheels are a relatively soft alloy so it wouldn't take all that long for the wheel studs to grind that away like a big rasp. If any of this existed prior to the new tires, it still speaks to the fact that the shop should have noticed at the time. Within two weeks and 50 miles of driving, this screams of a failure to secure them properly the first time and/or a failure to show due diligence as the professional authority to inspect the wheels during removal and installation. I get that things happen... it's not good, but own up to it and make things right.

Personally, I never go back for re-torques. I have a torque wrench and it's far easier for me to do it myself. It does get done though.

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Bose Luxury Sound System w/Touch Screen Navigation, Addition of Factory XM, 2005 MY Antenna, OnStar Upgrade (3G),
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Turn Signal Mirrors, Center Console Courtesy Lamp, Rear Outboard Heated Seats, PVD Chrome 18" Factory Rims, Upgraded
Carbon Fibre Appearance Interior Trim, Highly Modified Main Body Harness, Instrument Panel, Door, Door Panel & Headliner
Wiring Harnesses, Custom Fuse Box & Tire and Loading Information Decals, Additional Acoustic Insulation[/size][/color]

That is indicative that it was never torqued to begin with. Wheels were reinstalled, lugs rethreaded until they were snug, and then forgotten. Most of these shops like Discount Tire where they fly around like lunatics on a Saturday to keep the line moving, is where this stuff is most often seen.

Wheels then hollowed/ovaled out the bolt holes from flopping around. I've seen this many times.

One question I often ask/asked the vehicle owner is... How didn't you feel/hear this rolling out of the parking lot... Much less fifty, a hundred miles or more later. A loose wheel is going to thunk around on the hub and the minute you turn, you should feel something give way in the steering.

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Retired Bonneville Owner and former GM Tech:
2004 Pontiac Bonneville GXP: Black/Ebony *SOLD*

Summer Toys: Combined 827 RWHP / 877lb/ft RWTQ
2004 Pontiac GTO: Impulse Blue Metallic/Black/M6: lots 'o mods, 415 RWHP / 405lb/ft RWTQ!
2006 Cadillac STS-V: Light Platinum Metallic/Light Gray/A6 - Spectre CAI, Magnaflow exhaust, Speed Inc. tune, 412 RWHP / 472lb/ft RWTQ

Daily Drivers:
2019 Chrysler Pacifica Limited: Mommy's new RGC
2015 Chrysler Town & Country Limited Platinum: Kids new RGC
2007 Chrysler Town & Country Limited: Sold to neighbor
2009 Pontiac G8 GT: L76, Sport Red Metallic
2003 Chevrolet Suburban 2500: Doeskin Tan - 8.1L Big Block... new plow truck
1999 Chevrolet Suburban: Sunset Gold Metallic - Daddy's winter beater and plow truck

I have to agree, if the wheels were torqued properly, this shouldn't happen. It's not a time factor, because as you say, this car has only gone 50 miles in 2 weeks. Wheels don't loosen up when the car is parked. All procedures were followed properly by the customer, the shop has no room to try and get out of this based on 'negligence'. Even their 'reminder' says 60 miles, and last time I checked, 50 is less than 60.

I would check torque on the other 3 wheels immediately.

I am pretty anal when it comes to lug nut torque, mainly because the monkeys around here just run them on with the impact until the nut stops turning, not even bothering with torque sticks, or even ensuring that the lugs are not over torqued.

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~Randall~


1993 Buick Park Avenue - 197k - Some odds and ends done - Simply won't die
1994 Buick Regal - 78k - Bone stock - Always ready for a good kicking
1990 Oldsmobile 88 - Gone to a better place

Had to take my STS in last week because there was a slow leak in the left tires. This is the tag the shop hung in the car when they were done.

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Bose Luxury Sound System w/Touch Screen Navigation, Addition of Factory XM, 2005 MY Antenna, OnStar Upgrade (3G),
RainSense Wipers, Backup Camera, '00 Style Door Panel Courtesy Lights, Heated Washer Solvent, 2X Remote Trunk Release,
Turn Signal Mirrors, Center Console Courtesy Lamp, Rear Outboard Heated Seats, PVD Chrome 18" Factory Rims, Upgraded
Carbon Fibre Appearance Interior Trim, Highly Modified Main Body Harness, Instrument Panel, Door, Door Panel & Headliner
Wiring Harnesses, Custom Fuse Box & Tire and Loading Information Decals, Additional Acoustic Insulation[/size][/color]