Can I Take My Business Elsewhere Mid-Job?

A mechanic claims he tried to get a little payback on a customer. Why? He says they canceled a brake job at the last minute.

Max (@madmaxc7) explained that the customer initially booked pads and rotors but later backed out after finding a cheaper option elsewhere. The last-minute change didn’t sit well with him, and he suggested the frustration pushed him to act.

“Karma’s a b-word,” he says.

In the clip, Max appears to apply what looks like Loctite Threadlocker Red 271 inside the customer’s wheel assembly. The product is a high-strength adhesive typically used to lock and seal metal fasteners so they don’t loosen under heavy shock or vibration.

“I want to make sure this wheel never comes off again,” Max quips as he does his thing.

The video quickly picked up traction online. As of this writing, it has drawn more than 238,000 views.

Why Is It Dangerous To Use A Threadlocker On Wheels?

Using a high-strength threadlocker on wheel hardware can create serious safety problems, especially when removing a tire. Products like Red Loctite are made to permanently bond metal fasteners so they don’t loosen under heavy vibration. That might sound useful, but on wheels, it can cause more harm than good.

The biggest issue is emergency access. If you get a flat, lug nuts treated with permanent threadlocker can be extremely difficult, sometimes impossible, to remove with standard tools.

It can also interfere with proper torque. Lug nuts are designed to be tightened to a precise specification, and adding adhesive changes how that pressure is set. That increases the risk of over-tightening or of studs being damaged.

And most mechanics say threadlocker simply isn’t needed, since properly torqued lug nuts stay secure on their own.

There are a few niche cases, such as certain wheel spacer installations, where a medium-strength formula might be used on spacer hardware rather than on the lug nuts themselves. Permanent products like Red Loctite are usually avoided since getting them off often requires heat, which can end up damaging nearby parts.

If corrosion is the worry, some car experts insist that a small amount of anti-seize is the safer move. Beyond that, the best thing you can do is recheck the torque after you’ve driven on the wheels a bit.

What Do People Think Of The Mechanic’s Revenge?

Customers who watched Max’s clip said they were stunned by the stunt, arguing they couldn’t get behind the “prank” even if it was meant as a joke. Some also said posting the video online could expose him to legal trouble.

“Easiest lawsuit,” one commenter said.

“And the fact that you documented this is vandalism to a vehicle,” another added.

“I would sue the [expletive] out of this shop,” a third person remarked.

“Malicious intent,” a fourth wrote.

Still, not everyone saw it that way. A handful of commenters pushed back, arguing the video was clearly meant to be humorous, though Max hasn’t publicly confirmed that.

“Y’all are saying easiest lawsuit, but he can say he just didn’t want the wheel to fly off,” one commenter said. “What’s wrong with safety? And 2nd, this is just a meme video.”

“People don’t realize this is a joke lol,” another shared.

Others said clips like this, joke or not, reinforce why they’re wary of independent shops.

“This is why I always go to the dealership for service,” one commenter said.

“And y’all wonder why [people] decide to do their own work,” another wrote.

Motor1 has reached out to Max via a direct message on TikTok. We’ll update this post if he responds.