kent@wsl.dec.com (02/24/90)
I was driving home just now. While executing a not-too-abusive braking left sweeper, I heard a sound that was definitely a thunk around my RF wheel cover, err, nave plate. OK, I figured, it's trying to pop off. I drive a little more, expecting it to roll off. No, just more thunks -- something inside. I get worried. Pull over, shut off, pop the cover. Sure enough, there's a lug nut with a piece of stud in it. Sheared clean off. I drive home very carefully, especially when turning left. Any conjectures as to what might have caused this? I'd been driving spiritedly, but no more so than usual. Overtightened? Hot brakes? Should I be looking for 16 studs or just one? How much should I worry about driving like this? chris
guy@bevsun.bev.lbl.gov (Aran Guy) (02/24/90)
The post: Pull over, shut off, pop the cover. Sure enough, there's a lug nut with a piece of stud in it. Sheared clean off. I drive home very carefully, especially when turning left. Any conjectures as to what might have caused this? I'd been driving spiritedly, but no more so than usual. Overtightened? Hot brakes? My response: Sounds like the airhead with an airwrench syndrome to me. In my experience, if it happens once, it will keep on happening. Reminds me of a certain Barracuda in my murky past; last I heard, it was running on an average of three out of five studs per wheel. Most of us on this list own cars with unknown maintenance histories, and most tire mounters can't (or won't) take the time to properly mount and torque a wheel properly. Sometimes, loosening and tightening the studs to spec in the classic star torquing sequence can alleviate potential problems. Don't try this with the wrench supplied with the car, use a good breaker bar and socket to remove the studs, and a decent torque wrench to install. Also be sure the threads are clean, and be real careful if the boltholes in the wheel are ovaled. Initial tightening sequence should be done with the wheel off the ground. Aran
phile@pwcs.stpaul.gov (Philip J Ethier) (02/26/90)
> > I was driving home just now. While executing a not-too-abusive braking > left sweeper, I heard a sound that was definitely a thunk around my RF > wheel cover, err, nave plate. OK, I figured, it's trying to pop off. I > drive a little more, expecting it to roll off. No, just more thunks -- > something inside. I get worried. > > Pull over, shut off, pop the cover. Sure enough, there's a lug nut with > a piece of stud in it. Sheared clean off. I drive home very carefully, > especially when turning left. > > Any conjectures as to what might have caused this? I'd been driving > spiritedly, but no more so than usual. Overtightened? Hot brakes? > > Should I be looking for 16 studs or just one? How much should I worry > about driving like this? > > chris > What kind of car? -- Login name: phile In real life: Philip J Ethier Phone: 298-5324
kent@wsl.dec.com (02/27/90)
What type of car? TR4A.