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I originally joined this forum to ask a question about a potentially bad brake repair I did and how to fix it. Well I figured out what happened by happenstance while checking something else. Since I think it would make a good story, well I’ll tell you guys about it anyway. So here it goes.
First off let’s get some background. This was for the rear drums on a 2001 Hyundai Elantra. My wife and I had the brakes inspected several months ago because of odd noises they were making and the mechanic looked and said they were fine and that sometimes brakes just make noise (won’t be going back to him again, you’ll find out why later). So we ignored it (keep in mind I’d never done any kind of brake work before). Over time the noise got worse and became a full on knocking that I could feel through the brake pedal so we took it to a friend of my dad who would look at it for free. He found that the rear drum shoes had next to no material left on them. Time to learn how to change them since we didn’t have to money to take it to someone. Got both the rear brakes done after some initial frustration and everything was fine for a few days.
Now time for things to get interesting. A few days after the brakes were worked we were going to go for a drive at night. Before we were even a block away not only had the knocking come back but it was much worse, coming from both wheels, and knocking while driving and not just during braking. Panic mode engaged, I’ve done something horribly wrong. Since it was night there was nothing we could really do then so we waited till the next day. I checked the drivers wheel first (since it was the one making the initial knocking) and found that the adjuster was simply too tight and readjusted it. Thinking it was the same on the other side I went to go check it and I found the problem.
Are you ready for it?
The lug nuts had come loose and the wheel was flopping around…
Yeah… Oops…
After embarrassingly checking the adjustment on the brake and finding it fine, I put the wheel back on (making sure the lugs were tight) and tested it and everything was fine.
So the point of this story?
Always double check your nuts.
Yeah I know… That was lame and cheesy, but I couldn’t resist.
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No just the lug wrench that came with the spare tire. But with the car on the ground I tighten the lugs by hand then once they’re tight I’ll stand on the wrench to tighten them the rest of the way. I know hat’s probably not the best way, but it’s worked well. Except for this one time that is. :unsure:
Buy a torque wrench and the proper size socket. If you use it right and put it away properly the torque wrench will last you a long time as a DIY.
Don’t feel too bad about this. I can assure you that even the best of mechanics (and all of them) have had those “DUH” moments while wondering how in the world they could have made such a blunder on a bone simple job.
[quote=”MDK22″ post=147062]Buy a torque wrench and the proper size socket. If you use it right and put it away properly the torque wrench will last you a long time as a DIY.[/quote] I’ve got both. What do they need to be torqued to?
Look in your owners manual but, it should be 65-80 ft lbs. If you don’t have one a Haynes manual would be a good idea that or the factory service manual you can normally buy them from the dealership. Sometimes dealerships like to lie about the availability because they want you to bring all the work to them. Mind you the factory one from a dealership is anywhere from 50-150 bucks.
Haynes can be online or at most box auto stores.
[quote=”Bluesnut” post=147065]Don’t feel too bad about this. I can assure you that even the best of mechanics (and all of them) have had those “DUH” moments while wondering how in the world they could have made such a blunder on a bone simple job.[/quote]
I took all the lug nuts off a wheel on a Crown Vic once without lifting the car first. I was on a drive on hoist and was just about to yank on the wheel when I realized what I did. A couple weeks ago, I caught myself trying to repeat that mistake.
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