I am a f#%$#ing dumb a55!
08-25-2011, 12:17 AM
#1
Le Mans Master
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I am a f#%$#ing dumb ***!
I forgot to tighten the lug nuts on both my rear wheels
! Every single lug nut was hand tightened. I replaced my transmission over the weekend. Of course I got car happy, so I drove it to college twice this week on a 200 mile total commute. On my way back tonight I noticed, felt, and heard a BBBRRR, BBBRRR, BBBRRR, noise coming from the back. I wondered if it was the rear spline shafts needing to be lubed or even uneven tire wear because of taking the cradle off and the alignment being off. I must have forgotten because I was tired? Who knows, yet I do thank God nothing happened to me on the way to and from college tonight and Monday night
.
! Every single lug nut was hand tightened. I replaced my transmission over the weekend. Of course I got car happy, so I drove it to college twice this week on a 200 mile total commute. On my way back tonight I noticed, felt, and heard a BBBRRR, BBBRRR, BBBRRR, noise coming from the back. I wondered if it was the rear spline shafts needing to be lubed or even uneven tire wear because of taking the cradle off and the alignment being off. I must have forgotten because I was tired? Who knows, yet I do thank God nothing happened to me on the way to and from college tonight and Monday night.
08-25-2011, 12:55 AM
#2
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Wow that is very, very lucky nothing happened. I remember hearing a similar story in my bike days about a guy who did a chain/sprocket change and forgot to tighten down the axle bolt. Scary stuff.
08-25-2011, 01:04 AM
#3
Le Mans Master
I consider you extremely lucky. The following is a true story I witnessed. I was at a shop many years ago when the manager was installing new wheels and tires on a customer's car. During the installation he gets a phone call that lasts a little while. He goes back to the car and sees the wheels on, so he lets the car down and delivers it to the customer. A short while later the guy walks in furious. His car is stuck down the street with all four wheels stuck up in the fenderwells because all the wheels fell off. The shop manager only hand installed the lugs and never tightened them. I am not making this up, I saw it myself, and I also am not either of those people, just an innocent bystander. BTW, the shop is long ago out of business.
08-25-2011, 01:58 AM
#5
Pro
I know it sucks; but you're not the first and you probably won't be the last. You're only human. Just try to remember: "measure twice; cut once".
What you did was an error caused by absent-mindedness. It happens to the best of us - such as those people who don't secure their roof before driving away and become instant members of the flying roof club - no offence to those guys.
You are a student in college. This sort of error increases in frequency past 40 years of age.
Look at the glass half full. At least you caught the problem in time before something more serious happpened. At least you are not injured.
...word to the wise, always double check your work.
What you did was an error caused by absent-mindedness. It happens to the best of us - such as those people who don't secure their roof before driving away and become instant members of the flying roof club - no offence to those guys.
You are a student in college. This sort of error increases in frequency past 40 years of age.
Look at the glass half full. At least you caught the problem in time before something more serious happpened. At least you are not injured.
...word to the wise, always double check your work.
08-25-2011, 02:28 AM
#6
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You may get a hard time from some members but as ex aircrew, I know all too well that it's a known phenomena. Distraction kills and its very easily done if you interrupt a work pattern.
Just glad you found the problem before it caused an accident.
Just glad you found the problem before it caused an accident.
08-25-2011, 05:14 AM
#8
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Sure glad no damage was done - Bet you'll remember to tighten the lugs next time.
08-25-2011, 08:12 AM
#13
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You were like the tire guy at Sears Ron white talked about in his comedy. 
Can't post the YT on that because of language.
On a serious note, glad you're OK, count your blessings.
Can't post the YT on that because of language.On a serious note, glad you're OK, count your blessings.
08-25-2011, 09:12 AM
#14
Drifting
We all make mistakes and I agree with whoever said it gets worse after 40!
Any time I have wheels off, I make it a habit to go over the lugs with a torque wrench before it leaves the shop. If I can't remember (it happens at 58
) I do it again. So far I've never had a loose wheel....but doesn't mean it can't happen.
Any time I have wheels off, I make it a habit to go over the lugs with a torque wrench before it leaves the shop. If I can't remember (it happens at 58
) I do it again. So far I've never had a loose wheel....but doesn't mean it can't happen.
08-25-2011, 09:18 AM
#15
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With that kind of luck you need to head for Vegas!
08-25-2011, 09:35 AM
#17
Le Mans Master
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I am going to buy a lotery ticket today, and yeah I am quite lucky nothing happened. A coworker just now told me that it might have helped that the tires are wide because if they where too skynny they would have "woobled off" the car, and our roads have almost zero curves. I am still amazed I forgot to tighten them.
08-25-2011, 09:37 AM
#18
Le Mans Master
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I also recall telling my coworkers on Tuesday that I was all over the road the previous night at 65mph! Some of them noted it might be the grooves on the road with the wider tires, but it was my wheel nuts not being tightened now that I realize it.
08-25-2011, 11:05 AM
#19
Le Mans Master
You are very fortunate to drive 200 miles on hand tightened lugs. You are either extremely lucky or have very strong fingers! Glad to hear nothing happened.