Member Since: 27 Jan 2006
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 43
Nuts so Simple
I have just replaced all my wheel nuts,
During a routine service at around 50k it was picked up that the outer casing on the nuts was loose, apparently the nuts swell, causing the plastic cover to distort, when the nuts shrink again the cover stays still and therefore distorted, Thats why your spanner will not fit.
You can't tell if your nuts are done up enough either as the plastic will just start to spin on the metal, I would suggest that is not reasonable wear and tear at 53k !
Mine were done, but i mentioned something about burning the dealership and the village down if it wasn't fixed !!
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Plastic ? - mine have stainless steel covers, not seen any with plastic caps.
The nuts are made by ATP (Auto Turned Parts) in Northampton, one of the companies in the group I work for coat all the nuts in Zinc Nickel before they are returned to have the cap fitted.
"I know that you believe that you understood what you think I said, but I am not sure you realize that what you read is not what I meant"
4th Jun 2008 11:25 pm
NTH
Member Since: 04 Jun 2008
Location: Hebden Bridge
Posts: 4
Re: Nuts so Simple
Dingermedic wrote:
I have just replaced all my wheel nuts,
During a routine service at around 50k it was picked up that the outer casing on the nuts was loose, apparently the nuts swell, causing the plastic cover to distort, when the nuts shrink again the cover stays still and therefore distorted, Thats why your spanner will not fit.
You can't tell if your nuts are done up enough either as the plastic will just start to spin on the metal, I would suggest that is not reasonable wear and tear at 53k !
Mine were done, but i mentioned something about burning the dealership and the village down if it wasn't fixed !!
Cheers
Don't think my nuts are polycoated? - look plated, but it's good to know someone else has had the fault rectified FOC and at a similar mileage! I'll keep at them
I spoke to the sales manager today at the co that make the nuts, he said they have only had a few returns for damage to the stainless cap/nut due to what he called abuse, he was not aware of any swelling.
Had a play in the lab and the normal halford type socket with multi point contact on the corners can twist the cap on the hex. not suggesting anyones done one that, but use of the standard LR tool or 6 face hex tool will prolong the nut life.
"I know that you believe that you understood what you think I said, but I am not sure you realize that what you read is not what I meant"
7th Jun 2008 12:30 am
BrumLee
Member Since: 07 Mar 2008
Location: West Midlands
Posts: 1360
Chris, does Lynne know you've been playing with your nuts
The only problem I have is the security nut adapter is sometimes a to get off the locking wheelnut. Lots of wiggling needed
If anyone's nuts have swollen beyond warranty give me a shout as I have some for genuine LR one's (non locking) to sell.
7th Jun 2008 8:28 pm
norto
Member Since: 10 Apr 2006
Location: batemans bay
Posts: 1605
One of mine has been swollen since new, LR told me that i had hit something .
I dont recall seeing this problem before, even after 10 years of owning a tyre centre.
The nuts are faulty.Pete
Chris, does Lynne know you've been playing with your nuts
:
She caught me cleaning them with a paint brush this morning, anyway as for lockers, I have ditched these, and fitted standard all round ,
"I know that you believe that you understood what you think I said, but I am not sure you realize that what you read is not what I meant"
Sounds like somebody has used the wrong size socket on them,. I had the same problem with mine.2.7 D4 eDiff, Traxide Dual battery, Safari Snorkel...Opposite Lock winch bar..extra set 17" wheels with 245/70/17 BFG KM2 MTs..Warrior winch..Long range tank.
1982 2dr RRC renovated.
1983 Range Rover 2dr fitted with 300Tdi (with bigger turbo), 40mm body lift, Warn 9000i winch and BFG MT 265/75/16. Rear Maxidrive locker
1976 Landcruiser BJ40 with tipper body for the farm!!
The design is pants, and was an afterthough anyway. the original nut where designed to be in a black finish. I got involved with all this 4-five years ago.
The basic problem was the parts were forged rather than machine turned for cheapness, this resulted in the head height being fairly short and the steel being a relatively soft grade. No matter what they did on the line the head deformed slightly cracking the top coat paint finish.
The solution was to lengthen the head which resulted in the hole down the centre and fit a Stainless cap as per D2, Defender etc, however the physical size of the bolt head is now smaller on the D3, and the steel is relatively soft. the effect of the cap is like using a over size spanner on a nut with a shim in between, the combination of the gaps increase the likelihood of rounding off the corners. the one I have seen have had the Stainless cap twisted on the steel inner.
The socket when offered up to nut won't fit on the stainless cap due to the hex of the steel part being in a different position and pushing the cap out.
I hope the above makes sense - I know it doesn't solve the problem.
"I know that you believe that you understood what you think I said, but I am not sure you realize that what you read is not what I meant"
So I am now in the same boat. Mine is at 72,000km and all of the nuts have the stainless steel caps loosening on them, and yes they are now slightly distorted by sockets after 3 sets of tyres and many many wheel changes for on/off road use. I have some after market nuts for my steel off road wheels and will try for a replacement set from LR next service.
Any others checked their nuts laterly, this is obviuosly an issue.TDV6
12th Jun 2008 11:26 am
robharvey
Member Since: 14 May 2007
Location: Durban
Posts: 138
Just got back from a 7000km trip through Namibia and had to change the back left tyre due to a slow leak, only to discover that my car also has swollen nuts, but only on that wheel. Had to use a rubber mallett to hammer on the spanner. Awaiting an answer from LR.
21st Jul 2008 11:03 am
robharvey
Member Since: 14 May 2007
Location: Durban
Posts: 138
LR South Africa have come back to me. They say the swelling is caused by corrosion inside the cap from (wait for it) off-roading . Water and dirt get inside the gap causing the casing to swell. Not a warranty issue.
Heaven forbid that a D3 is taken off-road. Watch out boys, the D4 may just become a soft-roader after all Land Rover's logic astonishes me sometimes.
Don't think much of the resposne, the cover is stainless, exactly how could dirt and water be a problem if it was fit for purpose?
I'll be going in for service shortly and see how they respond.
IanvTDV6
6th Aug 2008 10:09 am
robharvey
Member Since: 14 May 2007
Location: Durban
Posts: 138
Blow my socks off - LR have had a change of heart within an hour. One call to customer services for a detailed explanation, and now my nuts are getting changed under warranty. At least my wife will be pleased
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to get off the locking wheelnut. Lots of wiggling needed 
.
anyway as for lockers, I have ditched these, and fitted standard all round ,
. Water and dirt get inside the gap causing the casing to swell. Not a warranty issue.
Land Rover's logic astonishes me sometimes.
