| We Don't Have That In Stock [message #211741] |
Thu, 20 June 2013 21:31  |
A Hamilto
Messages: 4508
Registered: April 2011
Karma:
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Senior Member |
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If any of you have anti-theft lugnuts on your alloy wheels, make sure it is in the vehicle before you go anywhere.
Last year the CFO approved (and mandated) purchasing the vehicle the 16 year old boy wanted, with a dollar cap about double what I would have approved. So he drives it for 8 - 9 months, picks up a roofing tack late Friday afternoon, drives it until the tire is smoking and throwing rubber, but manages to get to the driveway. So Saturday the search is on for the key to the anti-theft lugnut, because it is not in the car. Six auto parts stores and about the same number of tire places, plus the dealer all say the same thing, "We don't stock anything that will take off that anti-theft lugnut". "They are all keyed different and you're not going to find a set with the same key." "Best thing to do is try driving a socket on there and MAYBE it will catch and loosen the lugnut."
"Maybe" isn't good enough. I need "WILL TAKE THE D--- THING OFF". If I can't get it off, I have to borrow a truck and a trailer to haul the car to the tire store. So at the last auto parts store 10 miles the other side of town, they got these gizmos with a left-hand thread that the tire places use to spin off the anti-theft lugnut. I brought a set home. The smallest one is just a bit too big to catch. Now the store is closed and won't be open again until Monday. Monday I take it back and they say they don't stock a smaller size, but they can order the smaller set for only too many dollars plus shipping, 'cause it is a special order thing. When will it be in? The day after tomorrow, or the day after that. So the day after that I get the kit. Hmmm. Supposed to use an impact wrench. Tried a ratchet and no workee. I don't have an impact wrench. I can wait two more days, catch my brother at home and borrow his, or I can drive 20 miles round trip AGAIN to rent one or buy a socket and drive it on with a hammer and try that. Ace hardware has a socket for only too much plus tax. Drive that thing on there, and spins without turning the nut. Drive it on farther and jump on the ratchet, and goodee, it loosens the nut. Loosen the rest with the lugwrench, jack it up, pull the tire, and head into town, only six days to remove a lugnut.
How much for a xxx/yyRzz tire? Only that much too much? They are all worn out anyway, how much for 4? OK. Let's do it. "We don't have them in stock." This is a tire place right? When will they be in? Tomorrow? OK. Only a week to get the car moving again. I need 4 lugnuts this size and shape to replace the anti-theft ones. "We don't stock that type of lugnut. You might try the auto parts store..." Guess how many auto parts stores don't have them? If I buy 20 new lugnuts, I will have to buy a lugwrench that won't fit in the spare tire well.
So I go to the dealer. I say I need 4. The parts lady says they are $6 and change plus tax EACH. She disappears in the back and comes back with one. I need 4. "We only have one in stock. We can order three more and they will be here Saturday."
Eight days to recover from a flat tire. Is it any wonder people don't work on their own cars anymore?
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