Thread: Checked your lug nuts lately?

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I had the lug nuts loosen up on my Elcamino; I could hear and feel something at the rear wheels. The night before I had the Elcamino backed up to a 6' chain link fence with the privacy slats that the high winds were trying to blow it over. By the truck going back and forth with the brake on and in park just a little when the wind would try to push against the fence, it was little by little backing off the lug nuts. I was really trying to save the fence; I had my #9 Kline’s and wire tying the fence to the post. My Wife said let it go as she was going to the grocery store, I said I would wait but I didn't big mistake. I pulled the wire with my pliers at face level and when the wind was stronger then my hold on the pliers I busted myself in the nose. Boy you talk about hurt and pain. When my Wife got home from the store I was on the couch with an ice pack on my nose. She just had to say I told you to wait. To make it worst the guys on the job couldn't resist asking if my Wife gave me two black eyes, when you get hit so hard in the nose you sometime will get two black eyes to go with the busted nose. I was lucky the rear wheels didn't come off on the Dan Ryan expressway going to Chicago.
It is a good idea to test them once in awhile. Usually when I have had tires put on at Tire Store, they use an air impact wrench and I have a hard time getting them off.

Richard

I had 4 of 5 lug nuts come off one of my rear wheels on my 34 one time (after a state inspection, no less). Fortunately I was slowing down doing about 20 mph when it happened. Still broke two lugs, bent the other 3, damaged the rear fender and the aluminum rear wheel, and the rear hub (vette short joint axle). Repairs called for a new short joint, 4 new wheels (couldn't get a replacement wheel for the damaged one), and fender repairs, and about $2200 of my hard earned money. Damn short joints are nearly as expensive as the wheels.

I now check the torque after 25 miles of driving after a wheel has been off the car, and everytime I go for a long distance run. Even take the torque wrench with me on trips. Can't trust anyone but yourself when it comes to safety.

Years ago I bought a '50 Ford convertible and we were towing it home. Suddenly the front drivers tire took off and crossed the center lane and rolled right up the hood of some guy who was driving in the opposite direction. Smashed his windshield in, but no one got hurt thank God.

It has become very confusing to buy lug nuts, used to be so simple. Now they have SAE, Metric, fine thread, course thread, etc. We just went last week to buy some for Don's new Wilwood brake setup and had to dig through bin after bin at the auto store to get some.

Don