That's Nuts: Ontario car spotted with some sketchy wheel fasteners

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Most gearheads have been in a car-related pinch at some time or another, forcing us to get creative with our repairs and solutions. Whether it’s thanks to a cash-strapped bank account or simply needing to use what’s on hand until the parts store opens, necessity can be the mother of invention.

But, for the love of all that’s automotive — don’t play games with safety equipment. The vehicle shown in the pictures below is using a series of increasingly sketchy methods to deal with missing lug nuts and wheel studs. Three of the things appear to be from the factory, while one other is a replacement (of sorts) which may fit the stud’s threaded pattern but leaves a bit to be desired in terms of execution. To paraphrase Meatloaf, four outta five ain’t bad.

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That's Nuts: Ontario car spotted with some sketchy wheel fasteners Back to video

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Then there’s the fifth lug nut. Using the same type of fastener, the car’s owner seems to have replaced a broken wheel stud with a type of threaded stock that is assuredly not on any manufacturer’s list of approved replacement parts. To make matters worse, it sticks out from the hub like boadicea wheels on a scythed chariot from the Persian wars.

Your author has witnessed plenty of harum-scarum field expedient repairs on cars during his four decades on this planet, ranging from mittens on wiper arms in place of actual blades to red packing tape placed over a broken brake light lens after a moment’s inattention at the Tim Horton’s drive-thru.

Taking creative license with something that actually keeps the wheels on your car is a new one, and arguably could be dangerous to other drivers if the hastily assembled repair leads to the wheel suddenly being released from the surly bonds of Earth’s gravity and making a bid for freedom.

Having winter tires on at this time of year also does no favours for the car’s handling or braking response, it must be noted, since that type of rubber works best when the mercury drops below 7 degrees.