petersneaker

I have the kind of Kryptonite lock that provides three locking bolts to secure both wheels and the seat post to the bike. At the bike shop today I watched the mechanic lose the washer that goes with the bolt on the rear wheel (it fell on the floor, rolled away and he couldn't find it). He didn't replace the washer, and I was told not to worry about it, the bolt wouldn't come off.

Does losing the washer affect the functioning of the bolt in any way?

schang

Washers are used to distribute force more evenly. It shouldn't really matter much that the washer is gone, but they shipped you one for a reason and you might swing by a hardware store to find a replacement.

On washers: https://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mwasher.html

neil0502

I agree with half of schang's take: washers distribute force more evenly. The part I agree with less is the part about you running to a hardware store.

I think the LBS mechanic got off too easy. He lost it. He should find it ... or replace it.

Everybody should make their own decision about the level of grief this would entail vs. the reward (an eight cent part), I understand. But--on principle--if the story played out as you say it played out, that's a pretty unimpressive stance on the part of the wrench.

schang

I completely agree that the mechanic was lame... and you are certainly justified in going and bugging the guy to replace the washer if you feel like it.

Personally I think when you weigh the severity of the mechanic's trangression, the ease of getting it fixed by the LBS, and the ease of fixing it yourself -- well, I come out on the side of fix it yourself (I like going to the HW store anyway) and maybe think about a different LBS (or at least a different mechanic) in the future.

petersneaker

Thanks everyone for your replies. My update on this: I did go back to my mechanic, and he put a washer on that was different than the one that came with the lock. Shortly after this, the rear wheel started wobbling and creaking - and I had the bike in and out of the bike shop while this was happening, and the mechanic didn't identify it as a problem. Then the bike fell over by accident, and the bolt at the end of the lock came off and I couldn't get it back on. I went back to the mechanic and I bought a new set of locking bolts - he took $20 off the $50 price. I'm lucking I wasn't riding the bike when the bolt came apart, and I've concluded that having the exact right washer really does matter, especially in such a crucial area for safety. He's done a lot of good work for me in the past, and I'm pretty disappointed in him over this: but I've usually gotten into trouble at his shop when one of his less competent employees works on my bike. From now on I really have to insist that only he touches the bike (in this instance, it was an employee of his that lost the washer). Since it was a Kryptonite, I was able to send the broken part back to them, and they replaced it for free (with the right washer), so now I have an extra set of locking bolts for a second bike if I need it.