I am sooo mad !

[birol]

Ok, maybe it's cuz I'm a California driver and we don't salt the roads in winter, but *why* was the lugnut seized? Do they have a habit of rusting tight in your area? Did the last guy who changed the tires cross-thread the nut with an air-wrench?  Were any of the other lugs rusted? If some kid had rotated your tires and jammed that nut on sideways with 150 ft/lbs of torque, I'd be raising h*ll with his boss and demanding they cover the cost of repairs. Just a thought.
 
That said... bummer 'bout the whole thing, Birol. Although I tend to subscribe to the "cry once" school of thought, it sounds like the lug problem would have arose whether or not you bought new tires. But using a TORCH to cut the lug?!?!?!? Gimmee a break-- ain't they ever heard of air chisels?

It was seized thru over tightining I guess. None of the other ones were rusted, neither was this one. It was never touched since I got the tires, I tried to loosen that tire to swap it once and knew it was seized. And yeah they tried to chisel it out, there is a hidden area which goes deep into the wheel, and they could not clean it out, even with an air chisel. I saw them try really hard, that is why I thought they did their best.


SO lug nut problem is irrelevant to the tires actually, and I think I would have to pay anyways, so I feel actually better about the whole thing !

Thanks guys, I love this board !

[rajones315]

Just my thoughts.  I never buy used or retreads tires for my Windstar(Yes I have one too)  Over the years, it has been my experience that I don't mess around with tires or brakes.  Those are the 2 most important pieces of safety equipment my car has.  When it comes time for new sneaks, I don't scrimp.

It's funny how some people will save money for medical expenses.  Some companies have what are called flexible spending accounts.  You use them for saving money for anticipated medical expenses.

Doesn't it make sense to do the same thing for cars?  If you put $5.00 in an envelope each week, when an expense like tires or brakes comes along, you'd be ready.  Brakes and tires eventually go bad.  Why not be ready for them?

I pull a $7000.00 trailer behind my van.  I have  a wife 2 kids and assorted little neighborlets I drive around in my van.  I don't want to loose any of those things because a used tire or a retread blows.

Just my 2 cents worth.

[B-flat]

I always get new tires, not rethreads, and I get good quality ones.  It's better to pay a little more and get better quality that will last longer.  It only costs a little more but I come out better in the long run.