Topic: Lost a wheel while driving today

[davidy]

This afternoon, while driving on business, I somehow lost my rear driver side wheel on my Mazda pickup truck. For the past couple of days, I have noticed a flapping noise while travelling 40-60kph, especially noticeable on curves. Didn't think much of it...was planning to take it to a local mechanic for regular servicing (oil & filter) and an ongoing CE light (EGR flow insufficient detected) and an apparent short on my hazard lights.

Today, while travelling at 60-80kph, I noticed major vibrations and heard a noise...thought that I had ran over something or lost my rear axle. Pulled over to the side of a busy road and did a very quick visual. Didn't notice anything under the truck and decided to start going again. That's a big mistake...the rear tire comes off and noticed that my rear axle (rotor?) is now leaning against the road shoulder and noted that the inside of my aluminum wheel is somewhat chewed up. The lug nuts are scattered all over the roadway. The threads on all the bolts look partially stripped...but appeared to hold the lugnuts fine.

Waited almost an hour for a tow truck (my BCAA membership was good for something). Total cost for a replacement wheel, new bolts and lugnuts and parts/labour was $224 ($125 of which was the cost of a matching used aluminum wheel ).

Just wondering what had happened to cause my misfortune? During the switchover from winter tires (on separate wheels), I had my local mechanic swap all four of my tires exactly two months ago. I had lowered the tire pressure down to 32psi (was set at 40psi at the mechanic shop) and personally checked to ensure that the lug nuts for all the tires were tight with a cross wrench after 60 or so kms. Could the tire pressure been too high...today, the temperature was around the mid 20's degree Celsius. It was noticeably cooler during my last tire pressure check two months ago...probably in the single digits.

Should I be concerned about the condition of the rotor and/or rear axle? The rotor looked a bit rough around the perimeter. BTW, the rotor is only 1-2 years old. I had asked the tire shop to check on the rotor. Nothing was mentioned further...except to bring the truck back for retorquing after 50km.

Thanks.

Dave

(Message edited by davidy on June 21, 2005)

[morty]

Normally would say the lugnuts had not been tightened properly. Shows how important proper torque is. Pressure will have no impact on the lugnuts. Another explanation is that someone had tried to steel your wheel and got interrupted before they finished. Lugnuts were loosened and then you went for a drive. Unfortunate, but in this age seems to be all to common. Just a shot in the dark.  

The stripping damage you describe on the studs was caused by the wheel moving back and forth on the stud as there is ever increasing play. The wheel moving back and forth also caused the vibration you felt. You probably got out and did your visual inspection and paid no attention to the wheel as it looked to be still attached.

Would definitely have everything inspected. There may be damage you cant see. Good Luck!


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[davidy]

Thanks for your reply, Mort.

Do you know what the correct torque should I maintain for my truck's tires? It's not listed in my owner's manual. However, in the following link, I did find that the torque should be 136 Nm (approx. 100 lb-ft) for a Mazda B3000 in Australia. Would there be differences for a North American pickup?

http://www.dba.com.au/catalogue/pdf/online_pdf/wheel_torque.pdf

Thanks.

Dave

[morty]

100 ft-lbs sounds right. I dont have a listing for that particular vehicle. A good resource might be to call your Mazda dealer and ask what they recommend. Just to be safe.


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