Re: My spiders front wheel has locked!

[Simon Favre <simon@domain.elided>]

I guess this is a little late, but anyway...

Keith Ahern wrote:

>Yet again I enlist the help of my fellow Alfisti, this time I'm stranded
>at work (oh no!)
>
>Last weekend I had wheelworks in San Jose swap the wheels and tyres from
>my 85 spider (yokonamas) to my 73 spider (Pirellis).  Wheelworks
>informed me that one of the left front studs was spinning and they
>couldn't get a nut on.  they assured me that it was safe to drive.
>After a cruising to work today (15 miles - traffic and freeway) I was
>about to turn into my parking spot when the wheels locked - just like
>someone yanked up the handbrake.  I could reverse a few feet but on
>going forward again it locked up again.  I eventually got it into a
>parking spot.  Everything looks fine except for the fact that the loose
>stud seems to have fallen into the hub. So I have a few questions:

Mistake #1. I've found the level of competence at Wheel Works franchises
to vary by a wide margin from location to location.

>* did the stud jam the wheel ?  (likely)

That's what it sounds like. The bolt may be wedged in between the wheel
and the caliper, or posibly the brake backing plate.

>* how easy is it to get out ?  (remove wheel, brake caliper, center
>cap...anything else ?)

Hopefully, all you do need to do is take the wheel off and have it fall
out in plain sight. Worst case, you may have to take the castle nut off
the spindle and pull the hub. That's what you'll need to do to replace
the stud anyway.

>* should I just get it out and put the wheel back on or should I
>absolutely get a new stud ?  can these studs be found at your average
>auto shop e.g. Pep boys, Kragens ?

I would not drive a car for very long on 3 wheel studs. I doubt you can
get them from the local Kragen's. ("What kinda car izzat fer? Alfalfa?)
It's also possible the loose bolt gouged out the hole to the point that
a new stud may not fit. They can be tack-welded down. Really all you
want is for it not to turn.

>* could I have damaged something more serious ?  Should I just get the
>damn thing towed ?

I hope you did, unless the bolt was laying on the ground in pain when
you left work.

>Any help *really appreciated*  I'm stuck here at work, I can probably
>get someone to bring me my tools but I'd like to hear from anybody who
>this kind of problem first.  The car is on Arastradero Road, near 280
>in  Palo Alto.

Now we know where to go to get Spider parts. ;=)

Seriously, good luck.

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End of alfa-digest V7 #710
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