Not good!!!!!

[BBMadness]

Well had my vectra for just over a week now and wow what a disastrous day it has been today

Out in Swansea with Club Vauxhall and get to Tesco and see the state of my right front tyre



So we set to try and change to put the horrible space saver on

Couldnt crack the nuts AT ALL so had to limp back to Merthyr Tydfil over 40 miles at 40mph just incase

So got home and with the use of a scaffolding pole managed to crack the nuts (unfortunately though one managed to not only snap my 17mm socket but also then trying again sheered the bolt

Put the socket and nut together to save two seperate pics



But in taking the wheel off discovered that the track rod bolt was loose so it was no wonder the wheel had shredded its tread into the wheel arch

But worst of all discovered this



Great just getting better and better this is NOT

So space saver on and how they deem them safe to drive on is beyond - anyone ever tried to brake on one??? SIHT my pants let alone the tyre squeel - so garage tomoz for two new tyres as the driver front aint much cop either now - but gonna hopefully twist the garages arm to change all 4 and take the two rears which are basically brand new back in to stock



(i was about set to hit the ****** car with the lump hammer seen)


See what happens

[ScotsDragon]

I think you are supposed to put spacesaver on the rear of the car to help with steering and braking,

How did you not notice the tyre in that condition when you bought it...

[AntSSSS]

Unfortunatly I have seen many normal sockets break like that - impact sockets only for wheel nuts

I take it your getting the garage to remove the broken nut?

What you gonna do re the inner CV joint? Replace just the boot or the complete joint? Do you get any clunk when you engage drive / bite point in clutch in a gear change..

I've just replaced both my near and off side with complete new shafts from eurocarparts - very impressed and come complete assembled with joints etc.

A

[BBMadness]

No Its been fine all week when I picked the car up last Saturday was a brand new tyre and been ok through the week but something drastic has happened causing this!!!

I was going to put the rears on the front and put the space saver on the back but then thought that what if it chews the tyre up on that one too so garage first thing in the morning getting 225/45/17s instead of the 215/50/17s that are one there now as the garage I go to will take the rears back into stock and give me discount then on the upgrades for the rears!!!

Not wat I had wanted mine

[BBMadness]

Unfortunatly I have seen many normal sockets break like that - impact sockets only for wheel nuts

I take it your getting the garage to remove the broken nut?

What you gonna do re the inner CV joint? Replace just the boot or the complete joint? Do you get any clunk when you engage drive / bite point in clutch in a gear change..

I've just replaced both my near and off side with complete new shafts from eurocarparts - very impressed and come complete assembled with joints etc.

A

Guy opposit me has the kit to remove the nut (but hes away with work) but when he is back he will sort for me as for the socket snapping never had a problem before - DAD werent too happy as he has had the socket set for some years and its done alot!!!!

No knocking or clunking so will probably just change the gaiter

But I have a knocking come from the rear which I am yet to investigate

[AntSSSS]

Guy opposit me has the kit to remove the nut (but hes away with work) but when he is back he will sort for me as for the socket snapping never had a problem before - DAD werent too happy as he has had the socket set for some years and its done alot!!!!

No knocking or clunking so will probably just change the gaiter

But I have a knocking come from the rear which I am yet to investigate

Cool..

Remove the shaft complete - much easer and can be out in 20 mins easy.. BUT remember that you will drop the gearbox oil - so before you do anything, make sure that you can undo the gearbox oil fil plug and drain plug.. 8mm hex male fitment.. You will want that in a socket form with a long extension bar..

HTH

A

[Z80]

Looks like the car was cared after by a hog...

I don't think it's the car itself anyway. Any hog would have ruined any car like this !

Just feel lucky there's nothing else seriously damaged - though you should look after worn brakes, geometry and engine care (has oil and filters been changed, what about timing belt if any, etc.)

Now you could also throw away the space saver and drop a real wheel under the trunk carpet. Mine was supplied with a 16" steel wheel - but a real wheel anyway. You can easily store a standard 17"x7" wheel in, and I think a 17"1/2 thick 18" wheel will fit OK.

I've just got a problem with my 19" rims 8" thickness, actually. I may solve it by making another wooden floor for my amps rack and subwoofer enclosure in the rears fenders, with a slightly raised central part and spare wheel hatch. Now i'm thinking about it, it may even help tightly securing the rack and enclosure bottoms. In fact, you just gave me an idea !