The wheels are coming off

[montana_23]

Ok, a friend of mine just had her oil changed at Walmart. She paid extra to have the mechanics do the "vehicle inspection" where they check all the fluid levels, tire pressure, etc. Then roughly two hours later, while driving to work, her front left wheel fell off her car. The lug nuts had sheered off. It was amazing that no one was injured.

If the mechanics at the oil change shop had touched her wheels, is there anything that she could claim with insurance or pursue legally? I'm not sure what to suggest for her. And it seams strange that this would happen directly after her vehicle was in an auto shop.

Any input would be appreciated. ThanksWhat is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

 

[ShyCat]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

 

[startedone]

If they checked the brakes then they likely took off the wheels and re-attached with an air gun and caused the problem.

Your insurance may go after them or you can for the full amount & re-pay your insurance after you collect (if insurance paid of course).

 

[davew128]

If they checked the brakes then they likely took off the wheels and re-attached with an air gun and caused the problem.

Since when does one need to pull the wheels off to check the brakes?

 

[HighwayMan]

Since when does one need to pull the wheels off to check the brakes?

When one does not have x-ray vision?

 

[Zigner]

It really depends on the car.

 

[startedone]

Since when does one need to pull the wheels off to check the brakes?

Tell me how you can check rear brakes w/o doing so with drums on it? X-ray vision mechanics?

 

[Zigner]

Tell me how you can check rear brakes w/o doing so with drums on it? X-ray vision mechanics?

My Pontiac had rear discs Not every car has rear drums...

 

[Wanda June]

My Pontiac had rear discs Not every car has rear drums...

Interestingly, most cars do have rear drum brakes (if only for the parking brake).

OP never said what the "etc" was in this vehicle service, but I suspect it may have included tire rotation.

Also the mileage on the vehicle is important. If it is in excess of 180,000 miles then there should be some verbiage on the invoice instructing the OP to bring the car back in to retorque the lug nuts after a short period of driving.

This is of course just pure speculation at this point.

 

[Zigner]

Interestingly, most cars do have rear drum brakes (if only for the parking brake).

Negative. There is no requirement for any sort of "drum brake" solely because of a parking brake. There are MANY vehicles out there with 4-wheel disc brakes.

 

[TheGeekess]

IIRC, there has been a recall by one of the car makers for this very problem.

 

[startedone]

Negative. There is no requirement for any sort of "drum brake" solely because of a parking brake. There are MANY vehicles out there with 4-wheel disc brakes.

Please provide a cite showing that most cars do not have drum brakes .... because that's what you are saying.

 

[ecmst12]

Even with 4 wheel disc brakes, there is usually a separate drum brake on the back for the parking brake. But I agree the tires were *probably* rotated, OP would have to check the receipt to see exactly what was done.

It doesn't sound like the lug nuts came loose, OP said that they sheared off/broke, from being over-tightened perhaps.

 

[davew128]

Interestingly, most cars do have rear drum brakes (if only for the parking brake).

Not on any car I've owned in the last 15 years.

 

[startedone]

Not on any car I've owned in the last 15 years.

The average age of a vehicle is 11 years old ... just a factual tidbit I thought I would post. 3 years ago it was 9 yrs old ... economy is doing well though according to Obama