Could one loose lug nut cause a Tire Wobble?

[sandeejs]

So, I got new tires installed a couple of weeks ago. Fronts only. After getting my scoot back, I noticed it was low on brake fluid - fixed that. Have now noticed that the front left (drivers side) wheel looks visibly wobbly on the highway. Went out today with the a big ass wrench and found one lug that I could tighten,

Could one loose lug nut cause a visible wobble?

Thanks in advance!!!

~Sandee~

[Bfromla]

Maybe tire not balanced

[DGoebel]

Yes, if 1 of 3 lug nuts was loose, that wheel and tire might wobble. Surprised that whoever did the initial job didn't emphasize checking and tightening lug nuts within 50 miles. You might want to completely remove that wheel and inspect the three lugs for any side wear or damage, also the back of the rim, but then if it's still wobbling, take it back and ask them to recheck and balance the wheel and tire.

[FrogmanDave]

Yes, if 1 of 3 lug nuts was loose, that wheel and tire might wobble. Surprised that whoever did the initial job didn't emphasize checking and tightening lug nuts within 50 miles. You might want to completely remove that wheel and inspect the three lugs for any side wear or damage, also the back of the rim, but then if it's still wobbling, take it back and ask them to recheck and balance the wheel and tire.

What David said.

[BajaRon]

You need to torque each lug nut properly. Not just tighten with a big wrench.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

You need to torque each lug nut properly. Not just tighten with a big wrench.

.... also with alloy wheels, I wouldn't tighten the first nut using the max torque needed ..... tighten all snug, then repeat using more torque, then finally tighten to spec ..... If you have had Kenda mounted it's not un-common to discover they are defective ..... good luck .... Mike

[Mikey]

If you are seeing a wobble, it could be the tire side wall is irregular. the question is did you feel it bouncing, or shaking the handle bars? Did that loose nut stop what you were seeing? And Mike is very right, you need to go to harbor freight and get yourself a cheap torque wrench, good investment that will keep you out of trouble!!

[K80Shooter]

If all else checks out, it could be that an inexperienced person warped the wheel when changing tires.

[EdMat]

Could one loose lug nut cause a visible wobble?
~

I would say no. At least for several miles until another lug nut started to loosen. So if you noticed it very early on after the change I would look for a tire bead not properly seated, something caught between the rim face and the hub, an actual faulty tire, etc.

[GeorgeXP700]

Probably wouldn’t hurt to remove the wheel and inspect trash stuck on the wheel center and or hub. Ya never know.

[sandeejs]

So, back on the freeway. The "wobble" is still slightly there; if I wasn't looking for it , it wouldn't noticeable. I'm limited by my skills and street parking. I'm not comfortable removing a tire, especially when I'm actually in the street doing it. I'll take it into a better shop this week. Thanks for all the thoughts and info!
(BTW, the "big ass wrench" I used was my torque wrench.)

~Sandee~

[Mikey]

That's the right thing to do, if you're not comfortable about doing the job, hire it out, but find someone that knows what they're doing!! Good luck