Rotor Damage

[Hs_m35]

Hey guys,
So I recently picked up a set of the 19" sport wheels and decided to get them installed today at a local shop. They took out the sensors from my old wheels and put them in the new set and swapped them on. So on my way home I hear a loud thud which resulted in the car driving weird like I had a flat. So when I take the car back to the shop the guy tells me there was no LUG NUT on the front right tire which resulted the stud to fall in between the rotor. So heres the outcome guys:



Now my question to you guys: Can I drive the car or Is this something I have to get replaced asap? Its only cause of my work schedule otherwise I would got it fixed tomorrow. All help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance guys

This is the front Driver side rotor*

[DeanM45]

I would not drive on it. If there was enough damage to break a lug bolt and damage the rotor like that then there is probably additional damage (front wheel bearing, other lug bolts bent, etc.). They screwed up and did not put the lug nuts on or tighten them properly. They should supply you with a rental car while they inspect and repair everything.

[Hs_m35]

Thanks for your input Dean. The mechanics at the shop told me there was no damage done except the hole in the rotor. Im going to take it in to a trusted shop before I head over to work tommorow.I just wanted to get out of that place and did not want them to go anywhere near my car. My plan is to get it checked out by the trusted shop to see if theres any further damage. If there is no other damage would it be ok to drive on that rotor?

[DeanM45]

The other shop should pay to have the rotor replaced. Personally I would not drive on it. The rotor transforms kinetic energy to heat. As the rotor heats up the fracture/crack/hole can expand and the rotor could shatter. Probably would not happen but I am not willing to take that risk, especially for someone else's mistake. I am surprised that the original shop did not try to convince you to let them fix it, the liability on their end is overwhelming.

[Double E]

I think it's the result of an air wrench being set too high & a lazy worker who thinks gorilla tight is just right.

If you happen to go by that shop again, look to see if they use a torque wrench on the lugs after they are snugged down with an air wrench. It's unlikely given the stretched & broken bolt and I would not visit them again
...and instead post on a ratings site that they don't follow safe and prescribed installations of wheels. Date & time are always helpful.

No, those "torque sticks" don't count.

My fear for you is that all the lugs were stretched by this genius and all should be replaced...all the way around.

[myother45isalesbaer]

I am shocked any decent repair shop would let you drive the car without fixing the problem. The gorrillas with those air guns should be banned. These cars are very sensitive to wheel nut torque and tire pressures. In my OP I would not drive any year, make or model Infiniti if I had a hint all was not right with the front-end. All of these bad boys can hit some serious mph's and the last thing you need is any type of failure at almost any speed.

Get it towed to a good repair shop and get it fixed. Then I'd go after the monkeys who did the damage and demand my money back. If you charged it I would write a letter of complaint and refuse to pay the bill.

Good luck and I hope you get your ride safely back on the road.

[merlinq2]

Hey guys,
So I recently picked up a set of the 19" sport wheels and decided to get them installed today at a local shop. They took out the sensors from my old wheels and put them in the new set and swapped them on. So on my way home I hear a loud thud which resulted in the car driving weird like I had a flat. So when I take the car back to the shop the guy tells me there was no LUG NUT on the front right tire which resulted the stud to fall in between the rotor. So heres the outcome guys:



Now my question to you guys: Can I drive the car or Is this something I have to get replaced asap? Its only cause of my work schedule otherwise I would got it fixed tomorrow. All help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance guys

This is the front Driver side rotor*

Really confused by this picture. How do we think the hole got into the rotor? There is nothing in the wheel (rim) that could do that type of damage. It looks like who ever did the repair did not release the parking brake to remove the rotor, instead, they beat the rotor pretty senselessly with a ball peen hammer!

I just can not see anything breaking off the car and ripping such a nice clean hole into a piece of thick steel.

Most definitely the impact of ball peen hammer!!!!!!!!!

Probably missed hitting the rotor and creamed the stud and smashed it to crap. Then he took the air gun and threaded the lug nut down to the damaged area and broke the stud to conceal the damage.

I say litigate and try to save someone else's life.

[EniGmA1987]

Most definitely the impact of ball peen hammer!!!!!!!!!

To me the damage looks like something under broke the hole outward, otherwise the slope of the break would be the opposite way. Although as you said with the stud. And then if it broke off and a piece was inside under that it could have caused the damage and made that look as the piece was forced up and out.

[merlinq2]

possibly - not enough room between the rear hardware and the top of that rotor for something ti violently shoot upward. Who knows.