Thread: Watch your nuts guys!!!

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Sounds like you were using Chinese repro wheel nuts. They look pretty, but they have all the strength of wet oatmeal. They're just good for rolling the car on and off a trailer. Get some ugly old Ford nuts for driving.

I had that happen on my 34 about 6 years ago. Left rear wheel, 4 of the 5 nuts came off, while driving about 25 mph. Got it stopped and pulled into a parking lot. Rear fender damage, 3 wheel lug holes damaged, two studs broken and two badly bent. Had to take one lug off each of the other wheels to remount the rim to get it on to a roll back.

Damages: repair one fender $300, new Corvette short axle/hub with studs and labor $875, 4 new wheels (damaged one could not be fixed or replaced) $800 plus dismounting and remounting 4 tires $80. That was a $2000 lesson to not trust anyone when removing or replacing wheels. Always re-torque wheels periodically and especially after wheels have been removed.

Could have been much worse, especially if I had been on the interstate at 70 mph.

Ah yes - the good ol' "calibrated" air impact gun. I had tires put on my '97 F150 a few years ago. The 'mechanic' swore that his air gun was calibrated for 85lb ft (supposed to be 105). Got home, got my torque wrench out and tightened them from his 45lb ft to my 105.

'Nother time, different vehicle, again, another "calibrated" air impact gun. I broke a standard 1/2 drive S-K socket as well as an impact socket. Who knows what they were torqued at - he had to replace both front rotors and nuts at his expense along with my 2 sockets.

Glad you are ok Tom - and also that there was no damage to the car either

The number 1 cause for this is improperly seated and torqued lug nuts, not crappy material from China. You are also supposed to retorque the nuts after 500 miles or so.

Kitz

Originally Posted by kitz

The number 1 cause for this is improperly seated and torqued lug nuts, not crappy material from China. You are also supposed to retorque the nuts after 500 miles or so.

Kitz

HEY MY NUTS ARE NOT FROM CHINA