In a message dated 01/09/2000 5:40:11 PM Pacific Standard Time,
cvaught@hawaii.rr.com writes:
<< note to self, check lug nuts! I backed the tiger out of the garage today to
wash it. I thought that I may as well make one pass down the street to show
the neighbors that it would actually move. well I was just coasting into a
turn when the front right wheel fell off. >>
Chris-
Thank goodness it happened at low/no speed!
I had the same type of experience at the '94 Sunbeam Northwest event. I had
completed both my autocross runs (gathering up top time of the day and class
honors, he immodestly adds) and decided to get an early start back to the
motel. A couple of miles down the road, the back wheel feels funny. I pull
over and it is being held on by about two threads of one lug nut! The other
three are MIA and I have no lug wrench, no jack (both back at the motel) and
no spares. Thank goodness for cell phones and friends, I am mobile again in
an hour or so. I was extremely lucky that I didn't lose a wheel at speed, on
the freeway etc. etc.
The moral of the story is to check lug nuts for tightness consistently. I
won't go out on a race track without completing that portion of my pre-run
check. Also, we should all jack up the front end and give a good pull on the
top and sides of the wheels occasionally to insure bearings, tie rods etc.
are up to snuff.
Mike
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