HOLY CRAP: just figured out what the "crunching noise" was

A few posts down I inquired about a squeak coming from my front wheels that was beginning to sound like a crunch. Well, at lunch today the crunch became MUCH louder. I pulled over to investigate, and HOLY CRAP, my rear driver's side wheel had lost two bolts and the remaining three were slowly backing out! So glad I caught it before my 20 mile freeway trek home tonight! I tightened the three remaining bolts as tight as I could get them (they were very loose), and as I did so they squeaked and creaked like crazy. I limped the car back to work with no strange sounds at all. I guess I did not properly torque the bolts when I flushed my brake fluid a few days back. Good excuse to get all new longer bolts and H&R 7mm spacers (which I just ordered from Performance). Do you guys think I could have damaged my hub or wheel from this? What should I check? The flanges that the wheel sits on? I'd suggest if you haven't checked your bolts in a while, or if you haven't re-torqued your bolts after a recent wheel removal, now might be a good time. Loosing a wheel at 75 mph would not have been pretty. Scott.

I have done this more times than I'd like to admit. Good catch.

Before you head home jack the car up and get the wheel centered and tight to the hub on all the wheels you had off. Can't tighten wheels that are on the ground crooked, very well.

Same thing happened to me. I decided to check my brakes, so I jacked the car up, put it on jack stands, loosened the driver side lug nuts, front and back, then checked my front brakes, put my front wheel back on, and went inside for dinner. I heard that grinding noise from the back, thought it was my exhaust or tranny hanging out. Brought the car to the mechanic, who called me telling me my rear lug nuts were only finger tight. Duhhhhhhh!! Glad your wheel didn't fly off!

i've always wondered what happens when a wheel falls off.....last year i got to find out because a buddy was running spacers without longer bolts on the track and his wheel came off and the car just spun to the right and came to a stop. (no damage to anything becaue he was only doing maybe 60-70....but he learned his lesson)

I had a similar experience, "someone" told me that "they" don't torque LOCK nuts, only the other 4 but not the LOCK ones. so 2 weeks later guess what I lost on the freeway? the LOCK nut of the only wheel in question... Obviously I torqued all....

Hey at least you know now to disregard EVERYTHING this person tells you about cars now.

^ ain't that the truth

I lost a wheel at the track over the same "spacer" issue Right front at 95 mph in a sweeping left turn. Corner workers said they thought the car was going over. It didn't and I though I had a blow out and got out to see the entire wheel gone. Broke a LOT of stuff and bent the fender pretty good too. Lesson learned about spacers

thats why i now retorque me wheels every 1500 kms. Better safe than sorry. Steven, which car lost a rim?

good catch........ good job.... if you didn't this thread could have been VERY UGLY.......

"Torque, yet verify."

My company manufactures torque wrenches in the USA. I can tell you that it is very important to use a torque wrench. NEVER use an impact wrench on your wheels. Whenever you go to the tire shop always make them note on the work order that you want a torque wrench used-absolutely no impact wrenches. My companty also makes torque testers that test torque wrenches and do not use the cheap $19.00-$29.00 torque wrench from Taiwan. They are up to 40% off in calibration. They have the chrome down but not the accuracy. Just dont use them!

Scott, you and I seem to have a lot of similar experiences. Apparently you can disregard my reply about your anti-vibration dampeners unless you have problems in the future. I had the loose lug nut (bolt)problem twice and almost lost the driver's side rear wheel both times (maybe I'm the lug nut). I had torqued them myself both times. The dealer told me that the lug bolts on my car were not long enough (don't you hate it when someone tells you it isn't long enough?). I purchased new lugs and they were about 1/2 inch longer. The short ones were not oem. I'm glad your wheel did not come off completly....that would have been an unpleasant experience. Take care.

Yeah, I HATE it when that happens!

Well said, especially the chrome down but not the accuracy!

so which torque wrenche to buy for our weekend techs?

Damn. I'll give you guys one guess where I bought my torque wrench. Starts with "Harbor." Its definately got the chrome down. I second PL's question...where to buy a good but not absurdly expensive torque wrench capable of the 30 foot pounds that our wheel bolts require (just kidding).

For the weekender I would recommend Craftsman wrenches. They are still made in the USA and are accurate. The handles are plastic (unlike the higher end models which are metal) but the internal mechanism is the same and is excellent. You cant beat the price for what you get. They are made in Atlanta by a company called JS technology which is owned by Danaher Tool Group which also owns MATCO and Armstrong Tools (in addition to making the Craftsman wrenches). My company makes industrial/automotive wrenches that are much more expensive so it does not make sense for the weekender. We OEM for several national brands. Anyway, you can't beat the price/accuracy of the Craftsman wrench. If you need more details feel free to send me a PM.

Hi PL and Scott, This one from Precision Instrument is great (no afffiliation). Or you can get similar one from Snapon here . Brand new ones are available on eBay for about $170 from time to time. - Ahsai

Unfortunately the vintage racer