Hi,


This is my xc90 2003 XC90, 110K miles.


1 1/2 years ago, when mechanic did repair work on it, he could not install one wheel bolt, so he grinded the bolt head, and installed it finally.


Last year, I had tires rotation on Direct Tier, the guy could not install this grinded bolt. I bought a new bolt to him and he spent long time for installation and changed a couple of different tools.


Today, when I bring my car to Goodyear for brake inspection, Goodyear showed me the new bolt head is stripped again, and told me the hub role thread should be damaged too, so I need a new hub assembly and new bolt.


New hub assembly is very expensive and sound only dealer can do it because it needs a special tool. I really don't want to spend $$$ on this old car.


Are there any good ideas to fix this problem, for example cut the bolt unthread head and just use 3/4 bolt?


Thanks a lot !

 

It sounds to me like you really do need a new hub. In the US, these hubs cost about $100 in the aftermarket, so there wouldn't be much of a reason to attempt a repair on something so important to safety. However, of course repairs are possible to someone sufficiently motivated and skillful. It's just a threaded piece of steel you are dealing with. If the mechanic doesn't want to repair it himself, then you'll have to find somebody who wants to try. People fix bolt holes all the time, all over the world.

Something that might look safe to any reasonable person would be to install a stud. They're cheap and obviously they are safe enough to use. If having 1 stud bothers you, you could replace all of them. That brings up the question of whether there is a lug nut available that would fit that wheel.

 

There are no special tools needed to replace a hub on that car. Not sure what "repairs" have been done but replacing the hub will take care of it.