Wheel flying.

[Eric Flewelling]

I'm curious, I've heard of at least 5 instances of wheels falling off of older jeeps here in Maine on xj's. I also saw that quite a few of you all had the same problem with some fsj's. To me, a wheel falling off on the interstate means... well, a problem, and several hundred in repairs. So my question is, is there some kind of preventative measure to take to stop your wheel from flying off?

[lost1]

Make sure that sucker's tight!

Seriously, far too many people seem to just throw their lugnuts on and not torque them down. And it really doesn't hurt to carry a tire iron around (if you aren't already).

Say you've removed/replaced a wheel. Brake job or whatever. You're ready to hit the road, you notice nothing wrong on the drive... when you get to where you're going, stop. pull out ye olde tire iron and check those lugnuts again.

But that's a preventative measure that's inconvenient... :D

[Lindel]

I think most here have been either rear axle bearing or bearing carrier failures, or backing plate mishaps.

The wheels in these cases will have an axle shaft attached. I've only seen two here that I can remember in the last 8 years or so. Based on the active membership, not bad odds.

[Chevelleguy]

It's not a 'Jeep thing', it's just lack of maintenance. Wheel bearings wear out on all cars, if you don't catch it early the axle comes out on the press fit ones, like ours. If you have C-clip style axles, it just tears up the axle shaft and the housing.

[fulsizjeep]

I agree, it is usually a maintenance thing - lack of.
Mine is a mystery to me because I replaced all the axle bearings on it in 2002 and they had about 80000 miles on them when this one fragged a couple weeks ago.

[Eric Flewelling]

Curious. Thanks guys!

[jeepskater433]

dont worry dude, your not the only one, happend to my buddy with his durango and my bro who doesnt even have a license, driving my old cherokee around the storage, wheel fell off because our air compressor didnt have enough pressure to tighten the wheels enough, didnt that find out till the tire was rolling away and down the drainage ditch, used a 4-way and tightened the rest that were loose, only damage was a messed up a fender

[J.J.]

This terrifies me.

[mattmopar440]

Anti-seize the lug nuts and tighten in a start pattern the end

The axle and the tire well that a different story just make sure you bearings are in good shape look for axle leaking from end seals

[Chrome]

I had a axle bearing go out on Chromeanator which caused the axle to slide out. Luckily, it happened at a very slow speed as I was turning into a parking lot. It had about 120,000 miles on the ticker when it happened plus all the fluids were checked the week before during a routine service. Since then I make sure the axles are completely rebuilt with all new bearings after 100,000 miles.

[janie]

My theory is better safe than sorry. No unusual noises coming from Tequilla's rear end (that just sounded wrong) but nonetheless, I'm having new bearings/seals installed.

[Headhoncho]

I had a axle bearing go out on Chromeanator which caused the axle to slide out. Luckily, it happened at a very slow speed as I was turning into a parking lot.

The same exact thing happened to Arter in his Wag. Coming off the trail onto a highway at slow speed and the axle slides out. This was around 11:00pm and there was also 3 other people in the truck at the time. Another reason I went with eight lugs and full floater rear axle. My truck originally had 40's on it and I didn't want to take any chances.

My belief is besides normal parts lifespan, the increased usage offroad, higher center of gravity, and the addition of larger tires has to increase odds of a failure. I like the suggestions others have of replacing them after xx miles just to be safe. Same reason I've seen lots of lost axles at the local drag strip. You beat on old parts long enough something's gonna give.


JR