I took my car in for a tire rotation on July 18 and they broke a wheel lock in half. They said their mechanic was not in that day. When I returned they said that it would have to be drilled out and I would have to pay 2-3 hours of labor at $80 an hour. Nine days prior to my wheel lock being broken, another tire place checked that tire for a slow leak and put the lug nuts and wheel locks back on by hand. The tire place that broke the lock feels that they are not liable because they had never serviced my car before although they say the lock just fell apart when they put their wrench to it. They use air guns. Could the pressure from the air gun have caused the wheel lock to break?
Answers from the Automotive Experts
It doesn't take 2-3 hours to remove a lock, it's more like at the most one half of an hour(.5)
Lug nuts must be tight by foot pounds, you should never use an air gun, it over tightens them.
Dear Trevy,
2 to 3 hours seems a little excessive, unless they think they're going to have to replace the stud as well.
I would call around and see what kind of price you can get to have it removed. You may want to go back to the previous place and see what they will charge you.
I've broken the locking lug before and it was about a half hour to get it off. It all depends on the damage. It sounds like they just don't want to be bothered. They should not be putting the locks on with a gun.
Remember that once it is removed you'll have to buy a new set of locks if you want to put them back on. Good Luck.
Lori Johnson
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