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Spare Tire Lug Nut Wrench - WILL DAMAGE YOUR WHEEL

jadmt said:
Unless you are this guy, he has never had any problems getting a date with any little piggy he wants....
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Can't even begin to imagine the explosive uproar in that cart upon a direct hit from a sling shot!
 
on topic....This simple post cost me a trip to HF for a less expensive breaker bar and 22mm socket. I guess that $ spent is better than the headache the OP is experiencing. Thanks @22RAMAlazan !
 
I searched the thread but didn't see any photos of the damage. Have you taken photos of the damage?
 
Please post a pic of the damage and a pic of your factory wrench on the rim.

I have McGard lugs and while they take the same size wrench they are smaller. Here is a pic of mine with the wrench in the wheel. I have clearance all around and should have no issues with factory wrench.
 

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Hello all, I will take some pics today and post as well as lug nut wrench.
 
22RAMAlazan said:
I am going to fight it. I work at Corp. with another manufacturer and know this is something I can take all the way to Small Claims if need be. Surprisingly people do it ALL the time. Lets see what happens. @MacDuff Well said and agree with you! Like I said working at Corp Level with Lemon Law, I feel this warrantys a good will repair.
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Is it just cosmetic damage? Did you take it to a body shop?

Sure you can spend half a day sitting in small claims court and burn bridges with your dealership, but I wouldn't do that for damages less than $1000. See if your dealer will give you a couple hundred dollars of credit on parts or something and then just get the wheel fixed. It sucks that other people make mistakes, but life is too short to stress about the little things.
 
@Dingo Yes, just cosmetic.

I represent a manufacturer and get cases where the customer sues the manufacturer through Small Claims. 99% of the time if the Small Claims is towards the manufacturer the DLR does not show up and does not need to. I know because I am the one going to the Small Claims case, which are all mostly through Zoom now (Lucky me haha). Also, there is a process through NCDS where I can file and it goes straight to manufacture. At that point its strictly between a teleconference hearing. Only me, manufacturer rep, and arbitrator are on the call. Again, I know this process because I am usually the one representing the manufacturer during those hearings. I think I would have a good shot winning.

UPDATE: Ram Customer service called me. Customer service rep was very bland and just said scratches are not covered due to an outside influence. I told him I agreed but this is a unique situation because the scratches were caused by the incorrect lug nut wrench Ram provided. Like a robot, he repeated the same thing and said he was the main decision maker. I tried to explain to him that this would not have happened if Ram provided the correct lug nut wrench and he said none of the wheels or lug nut wrench things have warranty and scratches are outside influence. I ended the call. Called back and got another Case Manager to review the case. Lets see what happens when they call me next week
 
22RAMAlazan said:
@Dingo Yes, just cosmetic.

I represent a manufacturer and get cases where the customer sues the manufacturer through Small Claims. 99% of the time if the Small Claims is towards the manufacturer the DLR does not show up and does not need to. I know because I am the one going to the Small Claims case, which are all mostly through Zoom now (Lucky me haha). Also, there is a process through NCDS where I can file and it goes straight to manufacture. At that point its strictly between a teleconference hearing. Only me, manufacturer rep, and arbitrator are on the call. Again, I know this process because I am usually the one representing the manufacturer during those hearings. I think I would have a good shot winning.

UPDATE: Ram Customer service called me. Customer service rep was very bland and just said scratches are not covered due to an outside influence. I told him I agreed but this is a unique situation because the scratches were caused by the incorrect lug nut wrench Ram provided. Like a robot, he repeated the same thing and said he was the main decision maker. I tried to explain to him that this would not have happened if Ram provided the correct lug nut wrench and he said none of the wheels or lug nut wrench things have warranty and scratches are outside influence. I ended the call. Called back and got another Case Manager to review the case. Lets see what happens when they call me next week
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Have you had time to take pics? I'm curious to see how the wrench fits and the damage caused.
 
Scratch is on the inner part of the wheel lug nut area

@Riddick
 

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Again all, I know this is not a lot, but when I pay over 90k for a truck....and the spare tire lug nut wrench RAM provided damaged the wheel I feel I should I at least get a new wheel or have it repaired.
 
There is definitely minimal clearance in some areas around the lug. I wonder if this only impacts Limited rims because the wrench fit fine on my Laramie. Either way, I think you should continue to fight. If you take a pic directly beside the wheel dead level with the lugs it will show the clearance issue better. Also, as I said earlier also take a pic when the wrench installed on the lug to show the issue. Send these to RAM for review, I don't see how they will argue once they see the pics. Best of luck.
 
Great idea @Riddick I will do that.

I think its just with limited wheels too, but who know. We will see what NEW case manager says next week.
 
Based on those pictures, I would be upset too and continue to fight with RAM. Or file a comprehensive claim with your insurance company, depending on your deductible. And then go after RAM to recoup the deductible.


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You are welcome to proceed however you want. Quality wheel repair companies charge about $100 to refinish the wheel. IMHO the photos you posted show that the lug nuts appear to have been strained. Meaning the wrong size wrench appears to have been used from the photos. The photos are very small though and hard to make out a great deal of detail.
 
so for giggles I went out to see how my factory lug wrench fit on my factory lug nuts and factory wheels. I can see that if I am careful I can remove my lug nuts without scratching or having contact with my wheel surface. I can see how if I am not careful I can make contact with my wheel surface. With a deep well socket I don't have to worry. I have rotated my tires at least 4X's since I have had the truck and no scratches. I would feel using the oem wrench to loosen the nuts tho and would just make sure I used the technique as not to scratch the wheels. I always use a deep well to install as I use a torque wrench anyway.
 
Max1 said:
You are welcome to proceed however you want. Quality wheel repair companies charge about $100 to refinish the wheel. IMHO the photos you posted show that the lug nuts appear to have been strained. Meaning the wrong size wrench appears to have been used from the photos. The photos are very small though and hard to make out a great deal of detail.
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Thanks Max, I just would want to try warranty and first and use all my avenues with them. If worse comes to worse, refinish the wheel.
 
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