Hey,

My friend has a late '90's Mercedes E Class, and about 6 months ago he took it to my friend's shop to get his front strut towers re-welded. He recently went to get new tires, and the shop couldn't get his wheels off, saying the lug bolts (instead of lug nuts, the hub is threaded) don't appear to be in straight. he brought it elsewhere, and the shop got 3 out, and the next one they broke off in the hub. They left the 5th one in. 2 questions-

Do you think it could be my friend's shop's fault for putting the lug bolts in wrong? I don't understand how he could drive for 6 months + without a wobble. What else could've caused it?

Do you think we can get that broken bolt out? Any tools or ideas?

thanks

 

Sounds like they were cross threaded on installation. If that's the case it will hold just like one on regular so the 6 month thing is definitely possible.

 

Thanks. I KNOW my friend that did the work ALWAYS threads by hand, especially on a car with lug bolts, as you have to align the wheel in a circular pattern in order to thread the bolts. I wonder if he could have crossthreaded by hand . . .