Wheel Lug Nuts Not Torqued. Driving Interstate Speed, Studs Sheared, 2 Wheels Come Off. No Further Damage From Flying Wheels.

This happened to a friend. Right front drive axle. On interstate with guard rail. When he heard the noise and felt it, he looked and saw a wheel(s) high in the air. 2 reasons I’m writing- 1. He was able to control 1 wheel by keeping the wheel between the trailer and guard rail. This wheel then went to right off the road. The other wheel ended in the median. Thankfully neither wheel hit vehicles, or caused any further damage. The flying wheel(s)- All the traffic behind him slowed down. He then called company- (Reason 2)- He said, “What happened; and Please bring me another truck and my truck will be towed. They did this. He then hooked to loaded trailer and delivered. Also he spent a lot of time finding 1 wheel. The wheel hitting guard rail he found right away. The tire in median he could not see as he walked the road. A man driving by saw the wheel; he caught my friends attention and pointed at wheel. Picture of sheared studs follows:

Very fortunate for him and all the other motorists and I'm very happy he controlled the outcome as much as he could. Bravo to that driver! I've read plenty of stories, seen videos of, and talked with others about this situation occurring. Sometimes the results are favorable (as your friend's), while other times catastrophic and fatal.

Unfortunately, I'm not surprised this occurred one bit. Of all the maintenance rotations, roadside replacements, and scheduled new installations of tires and wheels, I have had one single tire & wheel installed correctly. ONE! 1 of more than 100! Today's mechanical "technicians" always take the "Tighter Is Always Better" approach to installing tire and wheel assemblies. An air impact set for 425 lbs/ft of torque is not the way to install lug nuts. Your example is the ultimate result of these improper practices.