Hi Everyone! I went to wally to have 2 new front tires. The technician managed to break 1 of the front wheel lug stud and told me he couldn't do anything about it. I saw Ezone's suggestion to grind the stub and install it. Does it work for my 2004 EX? He seems to say that sometimes you have to take the hub off and send it to a shop. I have no idea where I can find a shop nearby in case I can't install the stud after I grind it. Thanks.

Each situation is different, you have to see what there is to work with and deal with whatever there is. Sometimes no modification is needed if there is room to get it in.

But really
You should be having 'wally' fix what their installer messed up if it is their fault. Managers usually bend over backwards to make it right. If they can't handle it, they send it to a real shop that can handle it and cover the expense.

Thanks, Ezone. I plan to take the wheel off this weekend or the next and report back.

I did think about talking with the manager but then I thought if he got fired he would be so pissed off at me if he has kids to feed. I didn't even tell the desk lady about the broken stud. I still have the lug nut with the broken stud inside.

i read some posts that i could get a few hundred $$ bill for the broken stud because i might need a new bearing. here in CA not easy to find an "affordable" garage.

This crap is not your concern.

Their employee caused damage to your car, according to your post.
Therefore, they owe you a fixed, safe car.



Just think if your kids and family were injured or worse because the wheel came off, because their employee let your car roll out with "less then the correct amount of lug nuts" holding the wheel on?

If you crash and burn, and your car is missing lug nut(s), guess who gets the unsafe vehicle citation.....

yup....that definitely sounds like 'wally' work to me

Update:

I took off the wheel today but stuck on the 2 17mm bolts behind the caliper. I have a 24" 1/2" drive wrench and a 1/2" drive 17mm socket but that 2 bolts won't turn. There is not enough space there. I guess it would be a lot easier if it was on a lift. I am thinking maybe i have to send it to my mechanic.

If i could take that 2 17mm bolts off, maybe i could grind the disk with a rotary tool instead of grinding the stud?

why not just take it back and have the person who destroyed it, fix it?

No, I don't plan to ask them to "fix" it. They just create more problems and i have no more trust on them. Didn't they say: "fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me". I might ask the manager to reimburse my cost of fixing it if i take it to my mechanic. But I think it should be doable. I turned the wheel all the way to the left, now i have enough space to loose the 2 17mm bolts. Another minor issue is the rotor screws. But i plan to punch it out or use my drillout so I don't think it's a big deal.

use an impact driver

Good point. Thank you. one more item on the list of tools to buy

6 Bit Impact Screwdriver Set With Case $8.99 before 20% off coupon
http://www.harborfreight.com/impact-...ase-37530.html

20 % off coupon here:
http://www.dealsoff.com/harbor-freight-coupons/