Can a wheel bolt torque itself more

[pvr]

The annual change-wheels was attempted this weekend, but I could not remove the locking wheel nut at all.

I always torque the bolts at 140Nm each year, and swap the wheels. It always feels the same, however this year from one wheel I could not get the bolt undone at all. The only thing that happened since the wheel change was that I had an Inspection service + brake fluid at Vines.

As Vines was closed on sunday, I took it to Quickfit who could not remove the bolt either. So, took the car in to Vines today and they state that they never take wheels of the cars at any service unless they change pads.

Has anyone ever heard of self torquing bolts? The wheels have only been on there for 2.5 months this year.

[grumpywurzel]

Have you got access to a decent impact driver? The other alternative is to give the locking bolt a "Technical Tap" with a hammer (obviously protecting the wheel and the bolt head). Get some lubricating/release spray and let it soak for a bit and then retry, maybe extend the length of your bar.

Bolts shouldn't torque themselves up, maybe use some coppercrest (other anti seize products are on the market!) on the bolts next time before you fit the wheels might help.

[pvr]

I copper grease the wheels every time, just not the bolts as I understood that greasing them affects the torque value.

500 miles and 2.5 months on these wheels seems rather odd to seize like that.

[grumpywurzel]

I agree with you as they shouldn't seize in situ in 2.5 months, its not as if we have had a particularly harsh winter, but it has been really wet so maybe that has had a factor?

There is a bit of a argie bargie with using grease and a torque setting, we never experienced any snags in the Navy when rebuilding engines and other big lumps of kit. Some others say you need to reduce the torque by 20%

[Richard137]

Under no circumstances should they have the ability to self torque, otherwise we would be having masses of bolts shearing!
Weather, Excessive Heat would be the only reason for it to seize.  :blink:

[mogsyman]

Seems a very high torque value I would expect 120 max?

When my wife's 120D bolts stuck themself in place last year they were given a big thump by the tyre place which worked a treat!

[pvr]

120 is for the smaller cars, 140 for the bigger bolts

Quickfit tried quite a few things, from breaker bars to impact - none of it would shift it.

Not sure I believe the story quite from Vines that they never remove wheels at any service though ...

[Alski]

I had this on my e46, my specialist managed to hammer a socket over the locking wheel bolt and then remove with the aid of a long extension bar (about 5ft) although he did say he would only try this with snap on sockets!

[Alski]

Sorry just reread your post and realised this isn't a locking wheel bolt issue.

[mogsyman]

[quote="pvr"]
120 is for the smaller cars, 140 for the bigger bolts

Quickfit tried quite a few things, from breaker bars to impact - none of it would shift it.

Not sure I believe the story quite from Vines that they never remove wheels at any service though ...
[/quote]

I think you'll find my F10 M5 is quite a big car!

[pvr]

[quote="Alski"]
Sorry just reread your post and realised this isn't a locking wheel bolt issue.
[/quote]

It is actually. The others were tight but removable, just not the locking one.

[mogsyman]

[quote="pvr"]
[quote="Alski"]
Sorry just reread your post and realised this isn't a locking wheel bolt issue.
[/quote]

It is actually. The others were tight but removable, just not the locking one.
[/quote]

That was exactly the problem we have and I promise a bloody good thump does the trick.

The problem is compounded with rounding the removal tool if you're not careful!

[Alski]

[quote="pvr"]
[quote="Alski"]
Sorry just reread your post and realised this isn't a locking wheel bolt issue.
[/quote]

It is actually. The others were tight but removable, just not the locking one.
[/quote]

Ok in that case just watch out, in my experience the BMW locking wheelnuts are not made of the hardest metal, hence why I needed a solution.

[pvr]

Ok, I just checked the dates.

21st Feb - I installed the winter wheels, torqued at 140 nm.
22nd Feb - Inspection service at Vines.

The car has run 500 miles in the mean time.

17 April - attempt to remove the wheels, failed on the single locking nut.

Today - Vines have just called to say that they now stripped the locking wheel nut and also theirs so even though I torqued the other 3 nuts losely at 100nm, they now have to cut those off as well as the key no longer fits those as well.

Wonder what the discussion will be later ...

[X5Sport]

You sure you used Nm and not lb/ft, or as it's you kg/m?

The only thing I can think of is that there is corrosion in there and the two have locked solid.  A sharp 'smack' with a hammer would normally do it.  I always torque the security bolt up last.

Annoying!