bootleboy Posted May 16, 2003 Share Posted May 16, 2003 Having had the car for 6 weeks now, I decided to get some new rubber for it. I bought some Avon CR38's, and took the car to a mate who works at ATS to fit the tyres. On the way in one of the back wheels almost came off! It seems that the cars previous owner skimped on a few vital parts - Correct Wheel Nuts!! The car actually only had one correct nut per wheel (which were knackered anyway), the others consisted of 1 x 2inch long chrome plated nut of unknown origin per back wheel, and several oddments of nuts mainly brass, some even had the wrong thread! All of the above had none or little thread left on them. There was also a locking wheel nut on each wheel, which was the complete wrong fitting - definitely not a ford wheel nut! Needless to say the studs are all sh***ed. What was this prat thinking of?! Could the car be any more dangerous? I hadn’t noticed the assortment of nuts before, as the alloy wheels have a locking cover plate over the hub - hiding the nuts. Luckily it’s been off the road for 90% of the time ive had it as I was having the exhaust repaired. It doesn’t bear thinking about what the consequences could have been. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilwillis Posted May 16, 2003 Share Posted May 16, 2003 Ouch! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hanslow Posted May 16, 2003 Share Posted May 16, 2003 Scary...doesn't inspire confidence for the rest of the car Can you get in touch with previous owner and find out where else he might have scrimped and saved? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bootleboy Posted May 16, 2003 Author Share Posted May 16, 2003 I did actually get the car checked over, and everything else seems fine. The wheel nuts were just overlooked! Its booked in to a local specialist for new studs and nuts, and a #### good going over!! The car had 2 new, crappy tyres on the back, so the wheels have been off recently. I will contact previous owner, to see if he fitted the wheels himself - if so, does anyone know if there's anythiing i can do? I know cars are sold as seen, but this was not safe to be on road! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick.Petty Posted May 16, 2003 Share Posted May 16, 2003 I'd Send the boys round mate. Stuff like that it taking liberties in my view. Could have come off and caused you to mount the pavement and wipe out some kids. Grrrrrrrrr... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Green Posted May 16, 2003 Share Posted May 16, 2003 Jesus Christ! Just make sure EVERY nut, bolt and screw is correct and secure. It may take a few hours but it could be a life saving two hours. By the way I have a silver salva you can borrow to put the previous owners nuts on for display purposes! Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blatman Posted May 16, 2003 Share Posted May 16, 2003 I will contact previous owner, to see if he fitted the wheels himself - if so, does anyone know if there's anythiing i can do? [Devils advocate] Like what? No-one has come to any harm, so there's no chance of litigation. You admit to having the car inspected. It isn't the vendors fault that you agreed to buy it, presumably as seen when you hadn't actually seen all of it. Yes, it'd be nice to have a pop at some-one to vent the obvious frustration you feel, but to what end? Put it down to experience, and move on. [/Devils advocate] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S8ight Posted May 16, 2003 Share Posted May 16, 2003 it was nice of your mate to point out the oddments of wheel nuts to you when he put the wheels back on its him i'd be having a word with if i where you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick M Posted May 16, 2003 Share Posted May 16, 2003 it was nice of your mate to point out the oddments of wheel nuts to you when he put the wheels back on its him i'd be having a word with if i where you Eh ??! Where does it say that ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adhawkins Posted May 16, 2003 Share Posted May 16, 2003 I bought some Avon CR38's, and took the car to a mate who works at ATS to fit the tyres. On the way in one of the back wheels almost came off! My bold highlighting... I think S8ight has mis-read it. Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S8ight Posted May 16, 2003 Share Posted May 16, 2003 hey i've had a long day at work today, leave me alone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stu999 Posted May 16, 2003 Share Posted May 16, 2003 Mmmm. Was the car inspected by a professional body, and did you pay for the service of said inspector? Thats where my first port of call would be...... Lets be honest. Daft as it seems, some people honestly do not realise the importance of wheel nuts. Or other safety items on a car. If he/she did, do you think they would of done it in the first place? As Blatters says, enter it into the book of experience.... Stu. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hilux Posted May 17, 2003 Share Posted May 17, 2003 The car had 2 new, crappy tyres on the back, so the wheels have been off recently. Betcha he`d fitted cheap wheels/tyres on it for the sale and kept originals and nuts or sold `em on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bootleboy Posted May 19, 2003 Author Share Posted May 19, 2003 The mate in question was attempting to get me home, by trying to get nuts back on, dangerous i know, but i dont live far away and was the only option open to me at the time. Legally i only have leg to stand on because the advert for the car stated that it was in 'Excellent condition'. In fact it wasnt in roadworthy condition. If it wasnt for that statement, then it would come under usual 'sold as seen' rules. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan Coombes Posted May 20, 2003 Share Posted May 20, 2003 If any one else is not sure their wheel nuts are the right ones. Why not buy some ALLOY one's from fluke-motorsport.co.uk and save some weight at the same time. *End of advert* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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