Date:         Wed, 17 May 2006 22:48:08 -0400
Reply-To:     Paul Guzyk <paullist@GUZYK.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Paul Guzyk <paullist@GUZYK.COM>
Subject:      Re: Tip for getting off rear axle nuts
In-Reply-To:  <043501c67a21$8c53f620$010a0a0a@markd600>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed"

>AND, on a side note.   I guess there really is something to tightening lug
>nuts. not an urban legend as I suspected.  I had just finished working on
>the front end and thought I'd just snug the lug nuts cause I was only
>driving a couple of miles.  Mile 1.5 I hear this growling noise.  I knew
>what it was. pulled over and sure enough. those little suckers were coming
>loose.

I learned that lessen the hard way....I once had a Vanagon that I
forgot to tighten my drivers side front wheel nuts after changing
wheels.

After driving not even 1/2 mile the wheel flew of the van and rolled
down the street.  The van "ker-clumped" down and skidded on the brake
rotor.  Luckily I was going at low speed on a side-street and no one
got hurt.

I fetched the wheel, found the nuts, jacked up the van and put it
back on.  I felt like a dork but the van was still driveable,
amazingly the steering and brakes were fine, but it had a major dent
above the wheel well and the speedo cable broke off...

Always tighten your lug nuts!