Chuckie T

I was recently driving down Huntington Ave in Boston (for those not familiar, the Mars lander will be tackling smoother terrain) and managed to blow out a tire (I suspect the tire is fine, but the bead seal is shot) of my A6 4.2 (Note A6 content). No problem, I thought. I'll just do a quick swap. 20 minutes after having to jump up and down on the lug wrench for each bolt just to get them off, I discovered that rim was stuck to the hub. All the kicking, shaking, and jerking in the world wouldn't budge it. Keep in mind that this is a 2.5 year old car w/ under 18k miles and 3 R&B on record - that last less than 4k miles ago. Anyway, since I had no tools, I was forced to call roadside assistance.

They dispatched a AAA guy in less than 30 mins and had the thing chnaged in under 10. Just two or three hits to the back of the rim with a rubber mallet dig the trick.

OK, here are my questions...

The lug nut threads were highly corroded and very stiff. Does this seem right? Similarly, what would cause the rim to become adhered to the hub. Are these issues I should address with a dealer?

Second, does my tire diagnosis seem correct? I will bring it to a specialist, but is it possible to blow out a tire without damaging it. I don't recall hitting any single pothole hard, so I hope I didn't bend a rim. Also, the tire in question has been leaking for months.

Also, Two thumbs up to Audi roadside service. Quick, easy, and painless! And a big F-You to the cities of Boston & Brookline for letting Huntington Ave fall into such disrepair.

JimR

>>The lug nut threads were highly corroded and very stiff. Does this seem right? Similarly, what would cause the rim to become adhered to the hub. Are these issues I should address with a dealer?

A very light coating of anti-seize compound on the lug bolt threads, and on the hub at the hub-wheel interface, will go a long way towards preventing a recurrance of the problem.

TXurS6

induces corrosion. When you put your wheels on you need to put antiseize compound on the hub face to prevent it from happening again. You will want to put Locktite or PermaTex Red threadlock on your bolt threads to inhibit corrosion.

JimR

>>You will want to put Locktite or PermaTex Red threadlock on your bolt threads to inhibit corrosion.

I wouldn't do that if I were you, Chuckie T.

I don't know if this guy is serious or not. Locktite is not necessary on lug bolts, and may make it very difficult, and if you get the wrong kind of Locktite, damn near impossible, to remove in the future.

Hy Octane

Cheaper to replace and be safe, IMHO.

April

I agree. Works great!

DoubleB

torque to 90lbs and recehck after a few days/

DoubleB

Greae is helpful in Boston due to high salt content in moist air. Corrodes the hell out things.

rally

From installation instructions on their website:

"NOTE: We suggest removing the wheel and applying a thin coating of "antiseize" around the axle hubs to help prevent rust and permit easier removal when it's time to rotate your tires. Do not apply "antiseize" to the lug hardware or studs"

TXurS6

If you get the right type of Loctite it is better than grease or antiseize. Do NOT apply antiseize to lug bolts.