(2) Lug Nuts and (1) Stud

1313 Views 3 Replies 3 Participants Last post by 12 lt, Apr 18, 2019

jonathanafox

Discussion Starter · Apr 17, 2019

Hello, so took my 2011 Impala LTZ in today because one of the tires went flat last night...had AAA put the spare on last night. Today was told the tire couldn't be saved since I apparently drove too far on it...keep in mind replaced in February and only put 1,300 miles on them but OK, I accepted it...but then they came in and said (2) lug nuts and a stud were damaged...$80. Two months ago everything was fine. Last night, the swap to the spare went fine. So...did they maybe damage something and charge me for it? What is the cost you've seen for replacements? Is $80 fair? The AAA agent says maybe $20...I get businesses have to make money but also don't want to be taken advantage of. Thoughts? Suggestions? Thank you in advance.

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1999 White C5 Coupe

· #2 · Apr 17, 2019

jonathanafox said:
Hello, so took my 2011 Impala LTZ in today because one of the tires went flat last night...had AAA put the spare on last night. Today was told the tire couldn't be saved since I apparently drove too far on it...keep in mind replaced in February and only put 1,300 miles on them but OK, I accepted it...but then they came in and said (2) lug nuts and a stud were damaged...$80. Two months ago everything was fine. Last night, the swap to the spare went fine. So...did they maybe damage something and charge me for it? What is the cost you've seen for replacements? Is $80 fair? The AAA agent says maybe $20...I get businesses have to make money but also don't want to be taken advantage of. Thoughts? Suggestions? Thank you in advance.

An OEM lug nut is about $5 - and an OEM wheel stud is probably about the same. The $80 total charge probably includes labor to remove and install the stud. Some wheel studs are very easy to remove and install - some require more time.

I would ask the repair shop why the stud and two lug nuts needed to be replaced. Was the stud cross threaded? If so, that would also damage the one lug nut. What was wrong with the second lug nut?

I suspect the person that installed the spare tire cross threaded the lug nut onto the wheel stud. If it had already been damaged, the person should have pointed it out to you (so they didn’t get blamed for the damage).

Some mechanics do not hand thread the lug nut onto the wheel stud - they place the nut into the socket and quickly spin it on the wheel stud. If it isn’t started correctly, the wheel stud threads will be damaged. That is possibly what happened.

Let us know what the shop tells you.

PS - I own a 2014 Impala 2LTZ, and previously owned a 2008, 2011 and 2012 Impala LTZ; all purchased new.

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jonathanafox

Discussion Starter · #3 · Apr 18, 2019

Well, owner of the shop claims that his guys found the lug nuts and stud bad...claims it normally takes 1 1/2 hours to repair but they only charged me one hour. He said it had to be whoever put the spare tire on and it wasn't their fault...won't share a breakdown of the invoice with me beyond what I received. Basically said he had to cover his costs and sorry that it cost me but it is what it is and part of owning a vehicle. (I know this, just disappointed because I don't think someone is being honest here...) I think they damaged them and they just don't want to pay for it.

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12 lt

· #4 · Apr 18, 2019

Some places are shady, no doubt about it. Not saying that is the case with your shop, it is very possible the person who put your spare on damaged the studs. As to whether the cost of the lug/stud replacement was fair, dunno. Don't hardly think it takes an hour and a half or even a full hour to take off a hub and knock or press out the studs. That said, some places will charge by the hour, and will not deviate and round down, as in an hour and one minute the charge would be 2 hours labor. Shame it is that way and also a shame that often with such in shop work, you are also paying for the worker to take breaks. Unless you sit there and watch them, accounting for the time they took you really just don't know. Part of the reason I do as much of my own work as possible.

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