Lost a wheel
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Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2006
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Lost a wheel
My friend has a 2002 Excursion, came back from camping today and lost the rear passenger tire on the Highway. All eight wheel studs broke clean off. No one was hurt and the damage is minimal, but no idea why it happened.
Last edited by Hammily; Aug 21, 2011 at 09:37 PM. Reason: spelling
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 30,595
Likes: 1,236
From: N. IL
The last guy who rotated the tires forgot to tighten the lug nuts? Once a little loose, they'll break off pretty easily under the weight of the Ex and torque of the engine. Glad he safely got off the road.
More Turbo
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 669
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From: Tennessee
This is exactly the reason I always take loose wheels to the tire shop. Granted the Excursion wheels are heavy to deal with. This is also a good time to check brake pad wear and front end components.
Perry
Perry
More Turbo
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 669
Likes: 7
From: Tennessee
No, but I have heard of it happening and I have had ruined lug bolts from shop monkies over tightening with impact wrenches. With alloy rims do you really want some kid with a week's work of experience tightening the lug bolts on a several hundred dollar rim not to mention what could happen if the wheel does come off? I doubt the outcome of the rear tire comming off would have been very good if it had been a front tire or if they were towing when it happened. You also reduce the risk they are going to bend the frame or put a jack where it should not have been. I have seen several small car where shop monkies just put a jack under the floor pan and bent it all to heck. The same goes for changing oil. I have known several folks who have had the oil plug leak because it was not tightened and one that was overfilled so bad it shot oil out everywhere. Like all service industries it is based on what you can get away with and still make money.
Perry
Perry
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 346
Likes: 13
From: Brownstown, MI
Oh, I totally understand that. I interpreted your statement to mean that you will go to the tire shop if you have a loose wheel. I agree those torque sticks are crap. I always watch them to make sure they use a torque wrench. If not, I tighten them up myself at home.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 216
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From: Gig Harbor, WA
Are they stock wheels or after market? If after market were they hub centric? The studs on these were not design to carry the load an X can handle? Just a thought...
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,407
Likes: 155
From: Milwaukee, WI
Glad your friend was alright!
I forgot to torque mine on the X. (trying to finish up front end work on a cold dark night) and over time the rim rattled around on there. It slowly elongated the stud holes and slowly wore away at the studs. The only symptom was a little vibration.
Standing in a parking lot, I noticed a lug nut looked loose and to my suprise
the studs were half worn away. I drove it home the 3 miles, pulled the hub and pressed in new studs that night. YIKES
I forgot to torque mine on the X. (trying to finish up front end work on a cold dark night) and over time the rim rattled around on there. It slowly elongated the stud holes and slowly wore away at the studs. The only symptom was a little vibration.
Standing in a parking lot, I noticed a lug nut looked loose and to my suprise
the studs were half worn away. I drove it home the 3 miles, pulled the hub and pressed in new studs that night. YIKES
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Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2009
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From: Southwest VA
Is that statistcal data ? Or opinion ?
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Mt. Shasta California
It's from my 50 years experience of working on and around vehicles. Do you have any data?...................I didn't think so.