Missing wheel bolt

[OneForTheRoad]

Do people still steal wheels these days? Haven’t seen a car on bricks in ages. Ah memories… summers were longer then too

Are your tyres 235 35 19 and 255 30 19 . Are they newish ?

 

[Jobsworth]

Do people still steal wheels these days? Haven’t seen a car on bricks in ages. Ah memories… summers were longer then too

They are more interested in catalysts these days

 

[TeddyRuxpin]

Are your tyres 235 35 19 and 255 30 19 . Are they newish ?

No mate but I know a guy who can get you some no questions asked

 

[V8andTurbos]

Would Mercedes usually remove the wheels to check for screeching brakes or a light knock from the front suspension… or would they do all the checks with wheels kept on, on the ramp?

 

[TeddyRuxpin]

Brakes would be wheels off imho

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Would Mercedes usually remove the wheels to check for screeching brakes or a light knock from the front suspension… or would they do all the checks with wheels kept on, on the ramp?

I wouldn’t be surprised if they didn’t it it’s an inspection. To do work then yes, but not to look for a problem.

 

[V8andTurbos]

What’s the chances of the wheel Alignment being affected when the cars running 4 wheel bolts rather than 5?

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

What’s the chances of the wheel Alignment being affected when the cars running 4 wheel bolts rather than 5?

Unlikely I would say. The wheel would still sit flush with the hun with four bolts tightened correctly.

 

[V8andTurbos]

Even with 2/3 people
In the car?

 

[OneForTheRoad]

Even with 2/3 people
In the car?

Why would they sit in the car during a wheel alignment session ? 1 bolt missing wouldn't alter anything tbh . If it did you'd
feel it at 50 to 70 mph.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Even with 2/3 people
In the car?

The weight of the people would change the suspension geometry (it’s designed to do that), but as long as long as the other four bolts are all secure then there would be no additional change due to the missing bolt.

 

[V8andTurbos]

No one was in the car when It was being aligned. The reason I ask is, the wheel alignment was done a week after the tyres were fitted. It came back with the steering wheel off centre. It was re done and same issue. Alignment was done at merc. Angles were all correct etc however the castor was off very slightly and isn’t adjustable - this is the reason merc gave for the wheel being off. Either that or some prev impact… I’m starting to wonder if the issue was the hub missing one wheel bolt.. doesn’t seem likely but I’m sure someone with more knowledge can add some input

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

No one was in the car when It was being aligned. The reason I ask is, the wheel alignment was done a week after the tyres were fitted. It came back with the steering wheel off centre. It was re done and same issue. Alignment was done at merc. Angles were all correct etc however the castor was off very slightly and isn’t adjustable - this is the reason merc gave for the wheel being off. Either that or some prev impact… I’m starting to wonder if the issue was the hub missing one wheel bolt.. doesn’t seem likely but I’m sure someone with more knowledge can add some input

Sounds like either lazy adjustment or possibly damage. Take it back and tell them that you want the steering wheel straight, or if you jo longer trust them take it to an independent wheel alignment Specialist and ask them to check it and advise why the steering is off centre.

 

[V8andTurbos]

Sounds like either lazy adjustment or possibly damage. Take it back and tell them that you want the steering wheel straight, or if you jo longer trust them take it to an independent wheel alignment Specialist and ask them to check it and advise why the steering is off centre.

That’s what I thought but the master tech seemed legit. The final time I got it back, steering wheel was pretty straight with just me driving. When a passenger sat In the car, it would go off set. Same side as the missing wheel bolt. But on the same side (same axle) I can hear a light knock over bumps from what sound like the suspension, the same side the castor angle is out as well.. confused.com…

No chance the missing wheel bolt could be a suspect ?

 

[Jobsworth]

The steering wheel position should not change regardless of having a passenger or not. Something sounds wrong to me

 

[OneForTheRoad]

That’s what I thought but the master tech seemed legit. The final time I got it back, steering wheel was pretty straight with just me driving. When a passenger sat In the car, it would go off set. Same side as the missing wheel bolt. But on the same side (same axle) I can hear a light knock over bumps from what sound like the suspension, the same side the castor angle is out as well.. confused.com…

No chance the missing wheel bolt could be a suspect ?

Take a bolt from another wheel , put it in n try it .

The steering wheel position should not change regardless of having a passenger or not. Something sounds wrong to me

Was it Eddie hall I wonder ?

 

[whitenemesis]

Wow! So we've gone from having one wheel bolt missing to screeching brakes and a suspension knock to an off-centre steering wheel and suspect wheel alignment.
Not having much luck are you?

 

[V8andTurbos]

Yep. Pretty much sums it up. Maybe time to move on..

 

[geoffus]

I had a full wheel alignment done recently with a Hunter machine, after checking the original setup the operator clamped the steering wheel perfectly straight, he then made the necessary adjustments.
From then on the steering wheel is dead straight, as mention above, the wheel will not offset due to carrying passengers.
As also mentioned one missing bolt on a five stud hub will not be noticeable.
Replace the bolt and look up your nearest Hunter alignment centre and re align.

 

[Spider10]

Somethings not quite right here, there's no chance a missing wheel nut could be the cause of any of the above issues i would have it checked out if i was you
The master tech sounds like a master t-t to me
I hope you sort it