MY WHEEL CAME OFF !

[grahamw48]

Could have been dead this lunchtime.

I'm going a fair rate of knots down the A19 dual carriageway, outside lane, and nearside back wheel came off !

My boy was in the car with me.
Thank goodness I was able to control the car, no other vehicles involved, and we're both ok.

The hub nut had come off.
Because there was no special tool with the car for the OZ wheels, I foolishly had been lazy and not checked the security of ALL wheelnuts after buying the car.
Well I can tell you, all of those stupid pretty covers are going in the bin. If a nut is coming loose in the future, I want to know about it.

Now it looks like a new hub is required, as the both threads and splines are knacked, apart from damage that I haven't noticed yet, as a result of sledging a quarter of a mile down the road on the suspension arm.
I did manage to recover the wheel, undamaged. There is a black tyre mark down the passenger door though, where the wheel clouted it on it's way past.

Do I claim on my insurance ? That is the question.

I recommend that you all check those hub nuts...NOW.

[Snow Mole]

Bl**dy H*ll Graham!

Glad you're okay, once happened to me in a Hillman Imp van, hopefully never again.

Perhaps that is why the rear wheel looked slightly offset??? - let me know if you need any help.

Richard

[grahamw48]

Correct Richard.

I should have checked it properly. Never take anything for granted, especially when your life is at stake.

Now I just need a new hub, and one of those tools to remove the wheel covers of course
Then again, the mood I'm in, a crowbar will do it.

Thanks for the offer of help anyway - still a bit shocked at present about what COULD have happened.

Edited by grahamw48 on Sunday 18th June 16:59

[FrenchTVR]

Thats scary Graham, glad you are ok. When one of my hubs started to come loose it made the car feel like it was very loose in the corners, weaving ot the point of being scary.

[grahamw48]

Oh, and new hub carrier needed too...all threads U/S

There was no adverse effect on handling or strange noises prior to wheel coming off, incidentally.

[number 7]

Glad you're ok. That's why some dealers tended to drill and pin the nuts.

7.

[selmer]

That's a very scary scenario Graham. Glad you're both fine; could've been very different if there had been more traffic etc. You don't need me to tell you that though. I'll be doing mine up tomorrow.
Have a good night, a pint each for father and son (at least!).

[pwd95]

O M F God So glad your ok. I think I'll check mine this week.

[combine]

Strangely enough I decided to check mine before todays run to Whitwell. Will do this much more often after reading of your horrible experience Graham. I wonder how your 390 is performing in someonelse's hands ?

[Graham]

number 7 said:

Glad you're ok. That's why some dealers tended to drill and pin the nuts.

7.

the ones on the race taz are drilled and pinned, and paint marked, andwe carry a blinking great big tourque wrench and check them all the time...



still in the second race at anglesey one year, i was really struggling to keep the car on the track... after the race in the holding area i got out and kicked the wheel ( as you do ) and the hub nut fell off


all because the not isnt handed !!!!

I think only cliff has actually lost a wheel on a race car though

[grahamw48]

Hi Graham.

Any idea what bits I'm likely to need ?

I can see that the threads on the stub axle are knacked, and maybe a little bit of the splines.
Is it possible just to replace that little shaft, or am I looking at a complete hub carrier
assembly ?

Not sure whether to claim on insurance or not, you see.
There doesn't seem to be any other obvious damage (thank goodness).

I want the car back on the road asap.

[AM400]

Thats a really scary thing to happen, glad you are both ok.

Must admit both my hub nuts are pinned, looks like a worthwhile mod now!

[grahamw48]

Thanks for the kind words (and that goes for everyone).

My son (aged 12) described it as 'an adventure'.

I think he's going to be into 'dangerous sports' when he grows up.

[TVR-NUT]

Sorry to hear about your rather scary incident Graham. Glad to hear that you and your son are ok.

Mark

[blueone]

Good to hear you're OKand not too much damage

The nuts on mine were pined when I removed them. I ordered new ones to put back and was in two minds whether to pin the new ones. After reading your experience I will pin them without a question.

[badredwedge]

FFS Graham glad you are both OK

How do you do this pinning thing please ??

[toltec]

I do not know if you can just replace the axle however we had to replace a front stub axle and carrier after a wheel bearing welded itself to the axle. Bought the nearside and offside from a breaker for £25 so hopefully you could get the rears for a similar amount.

I am going to check the rear tonight...

[FrenchTVR]

badredwedge said:

FFS Graham glad you are both OK

How do you do this pinning thing please ??

Tighten the nuts to the pre-scribed torque (350lb/ft IIRC), then drill throug hthe nut and the shaft using a 5 or 6 mm drill. Then pas a f**king great split pin through said hole. Job done.
If yours has already been drilled, use shims to align the holes when the nut is torqued up.

The pic is of a bike axle nut, but the principle is the same.

Edited by FrenchTVR on Monday 19th June 09:52

[FrenchTVR]

toltec said:

I do not know if you can just replace the axle however we had to replace a front stub axle and carrier after a wheel bearing welded itself to the axle. Bought the nearside and offside from a breaker for £25 so hopefully you could get the rears for a similar amount.

I am going to check the rear tonight...

I think the rears are TVR specials.

[grahamw48]

Thanks for all the nice messages guys.
It's so good to be part of the Wedge appreciation society.

The latest is that I've decided to claim on the insurance (not done that for over 20 years),
and the car will be going down to Richard Thorpe for sorting out in time for the BBWF.
Richard will also be able to spot any other nasties that have resulted from chassis/floor contact.