Tyre Firms Act After Probe

An Auto Express exposé on overtightened wheel nuts has shocked the tyre industry into action. The issue is to be discussed at a major conference later in the year, and a new poster-sized wallchart has been sent out to hundreds of garages and workshops across the UK.

Auto Express Car Reviews

By Ross Pinnock

22nd September 2004

Our undercover investigation in issue 816 revealed many professional technicians incorrectly tighten wheel nuts, often using powerful air tools instead of the recommended torque wrench. Over-tightening can cause studs or bolts to snap, while insufficient torque can result in nuts working loose. Both can have lethal consequences.

As a direct result of our story, the National Tyre Distributors Association (NTDA) has issued a technical bulletin in a bid to stamp out the problem. The document even reprints the first page of our report. A spokesman said: "The Auto Express article highlighted this issue, so we took the opportunity to remind members of correct procedures."

To make it easier for technicians to find the correct torque settings, a new poster has also been issued, and is designed to be put up in workshops. The chart lists the correct figures for models from all of the UK's major car brands. As a stark reminder to workers, it states it is 'published in the interests of safety'.

What's more, we've learned that the issue will be on the agenda at the NTDA's forthcoming conference in Spain. However, the NTDA spokesman admitted that more needed to be done at forecourt level. "We live in the real world and fitters sometimes make mistakes," he said.