What, if anything, would cause me to lose lug bolts?

RyanE92 · 12-12-2007, 02:47 PM

I swapped out rims and tires for winter on 12/1. I've done it before and I have the BMW jack set with the torque wrench, so I assumed (and still do) that I got it all right.

I go to the dealer on 12/4 for first service and to have them check out a stereo issue. We also talk about performing an alignment because the car drifts or pulls at times, but decide it would be better until the stock rims and tires are put back. I do not know if they did anything at all as far as the alignment might go other than simply road testing the car.

Last Sunday evening, after already having the car out with no problem earlier in the day, I go for a short trip and here some thumping from the front driver's side wheel well. Sounded like maybe a flat for comparison. I heard it the most when not driving straight and when first applying the brakes. Get out, its dark, and I don't really notice anything. I already have an appointment set for the stero so figure I will have them check it out.

Monday, it seems much worse and more frequent - more racket, louder, and pretty consistent. I'm not sure what caused me to check the bolts, but I do and I'm missing three!!!! In addition, one that is still there is loose.

I'm not far away from driving on one bolt.

So I take two off of other wheels so I can drive to work for the next couple of days with four bolts in three of the wheels (maybe not smart, but my one way commute is 1.5 miles). Car goes in tomorrow and I'll get the missing bolts replaced.

What the hell could cause that to happen? FWIW, I have an '06 325i with ZSP and the winters are ASA JH3's.

nagge · 12-12-2007, 03:30 PM

Maybe someone tried to steal the wheel but got interrupted?

But why not get new bolts right away instead of driving on four bolts?!

madman · 12-12-2007, 03:57 PM

Could you give more details as to how you changed the wheel?

did you slightly tighten then put the wheel on the ground before fully tightening etc?

RyanE92 · 12-12-2007, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madman

Could you give more details as to how you changed the wheel?

did you slightly tighten then put the wheel on the ground before fully tightening etc?

I would say its possible that I did not tighten fully before putting the wheel down, but I would not say "slightly." Since this is a front wheel, it will spin freely when elevated and its possible I didn't try to tighten all the way before lowering.

I honestly do not remember for sure. I would have intended to tighten completely before lowering, but I would be pretending if I said I know for sure.

bmwm3smg2 · 12-13-2007, 02:21 PM

Ex-girlfriend, jealous wife, a thief...

montreal_bimmer · 12-13-2007, 02:52 PM

they probably werent tightened properly... could be the only explaination

UncleWede · 12-13-2007, 05:48 PM

Where's that video of the track day when the lugs weren't tightened?

btc · 12-13-2007, 06:06 PM

it could be road bump and vibration

12-12-2007, 02:47 PM	#1
RyanE92 Second Lieutenant 6 Rep 209 Posts Drives: 2011 135i Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: St. Louis, MO iTrader: (1) Garage List 2006 325i [0.00]	What, if anything, would cause me to lose lug bolts? I swapped out rims and tires for winter on 12/1. I've done it before and I have the BMW jack set with the torque wrench, so I assumed (and still do) that I got it all right. I go to the dealer on 12/4 for first service and to have them check out a stereo issue. We also talk about performing an alignment because the car drifts or pulls at times, but decide it would be better until the stock rims and tires are put back. I do not know if they did anything at all as far as the alignment might go other than simply road testing the car. Last Sunday evening, after already having the car out with no problem earlier in the day, I go for a short trip and here some thumping from the front driver's side wheel well. Sounded like maybe a flat for comparison. I heard it the most when not driving straight and when first applying the brakes. Get out, its dark, and I don't really notice anything. I already have an appointment set for the stero so figure I will have them check it out. Monday, it seems much worse and more frequent - more racket, louder, and pretty consistent. I'm not sure what caused me to check the bolts, but I do and I'm missing three!!!! In addition, one that is still there is loose. I'm not far away from driving on one bolt. So I take two off of other wheels so I can drive to work for the next couple of days with four bolts in three of the wheels (maybe not smart, but my one way commute is 1.5 miles). Car goes in tomorrow and I'll get the missing bolts replaced. What the hell could cause that to happen? FWIW, I have an '06 325i with ZSP and the winters are ASA JH3's. __________________ 2011 135i
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12-12-2007, 03:30 PM	#2
nagge Swedish user 2 Rep 267 Posts Drives: 06' E90 330dA Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Sweden iTrader: (0)	Maybe someone tried to steal the wheel but got interrupted? But why not get new bolts right away instead of driving on four bolts?! __________________ E90 330dA \| SG \| Remapped \| Blacklines \| Matte black kidney grill \| M3 Steering wheel \| Ümnitza Predator ICE LED Angel eyes \| 18" M5 reps \| ESS Tuning
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12-12-2007, 03:57 PM	#3
madman Major 120 Rep 1,252 Posts Drives: The Above Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Lincolnshire, UK iTrader: (0)	Could you give more details as to how you changed the wheel? did you slightly tighten then put the wheel on the ground before fully tightening etc? __________________ If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much space.
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12-13-2007, 02:21 PM	#5
bmwm3smg2 Private First Class 1 Rep 188 Posts Drives: E46 M3 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	Ex-girlfriend, jealous wife, a thief... __________________ Erwin
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12-13-2007, 02:52 PM	#6
montreal_bimmer OEMconcept 182 Rep 5,593 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Canada \| USA iTrader: (6) Garage List 2006 325i [10.00]	they probably werent tightened properly... could be the only explaination
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12-13-2007, 05:48 PM	#7
UncleWede Long Time Admirer, First Time Owner 18675 Rep 9,445 Posts Drives: G01 X3 M40i Dark Graphite Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Oxnard, CA iTrader: (0)	Where's that video of the track day when the lugs weren't tightened?
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12-13-2007, 06:06 PM	#8
btc Second Lieutenant 69 Rep 279 Posts Drives: 06/330i/SB/TERA/AL Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bakersfield,CA iTrader: (6) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	it could be road bump and vibration
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