So, a couple weeks ago, while driving around 25mph in town, I noticed a kind of repetitive clunking sound coming from somewhere under the truck. I couldn't pinpoint it, but it was definitely speed related. It was also raining that day so that wasn't helping me. While going 70mph down the highway, the noise became more constant with a vibration as well. It almost had the sound of the exhaust drone everyone talks about. But, it still couldn't pinpoint it, but I have definitely never heard or felt that before. If I would hit the gas harder while cruising and then let off again, the truck felt really squirrelly.

Since I discovered the noise, I haven't driven the truck because I was afraid of what the noise was and I didn't have time to check it out or have it checked out. Plus, I had hit a deer 3 weeks ago and so I was waiting to take it into the shop to have the body work done.

Anyway, this weekend I started the truck to move it to replace the broken headlight the deer caused and noticed my low tire pressure light was on. While going around and checking the tires, I noticed that one of my passenger front lug nuts was out further than the rest. I spun it with my fingers it was that loose. 2 lugs nuts on the front passenger side were about ready to come off. As I went around the truck, I found that ALL 5 of the drivers side rear lug nuts were about ready to fall off! So, I tightened all of the lug nuts up and took the truck out and the noise was now gone. Go figure.

I had the dealer do a tire rotation about 3500 miles ago. I have always had the dealer do my rotations because I just don't have the space to do it at my house. I have never had this issue before.

So, my questions are....is there anyway 7 of the 20 lug nuts could have just loosened up in 3500 miles? And, since I did some driving (maybe a couple hundred miles) on a loose rear wheel, what kind of damage could have been done by that?

If lug nuts loosening up in 3500 miles isn't something that happens (and I kind of doubt it does) I can only assume that the dealer forgot to tighten them up. If that is the case, I am taking it back to the dealer and demanding that they check the truck over for damage that could have resulted from a loose wheel. If there is any damage, they better pay to have it fixed. Once that is done, I don't think I will be going back to that dealer ever again. I have been going to that dealer since I bought the truck new. Haven't ever been really thrilled with them, but they were the closest and where I bought the truck from. This will probably change all that.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

 

Theoretically you are supposed to re-torque lug nuts on aluminum wheels after 50-100 miles. More likely they just didn't get them tight.

 

I have never re-torqued the wheels after any of the other tire rotations (although I probably should have) and never had this issue before and I have almost 130,000 miles on the truck. But, from now on I will be checking them.

I am sure they got in a big hurry and didn't tighten them down. I am just upset at the fact that the wheel was that close to coming off.

Thanks!

 

With that many lug nuts loose it seems unlikely it was accidental. It's also unlikely for this to not be noticed until 3500 miles after the last service. Is there any chance your truck was in a place where someone could tamper with it?

As for damage from driving like that, it is possible. I'm no expert on it, but I'd be worried about the impact to the studs (thread damage or stress leading to failure). It could also have rounded out the bolt holes in the wheel from moving back and forth.

Rob

 

My truck does sit outside all the time. So tampering is possible. It sits up near my garage, away from the street, but I do have a flood light on my garage...not that it would stop anyone. The wheel in question would be the the most accessible, however, the front wheel on that side would be too and all of those were tight. So, I am really doubting someone messed with my truck.

I guess I unfortunately don't have any proof that the dealer left them loose, but I didn't touch them and the dealer is the last place you dealt with the wheels. If they left them slightly loose, would they have continued to loosen up over time? Enough that at some point the wheel becomes unseated? Just trying to make sure that I can say the dealer left them loose before I yell at them.

Thanks.

 

re-torquing is for brand new wheels only. After the wheels and vehicle get "used to each other" there is no need to re-torque.

Most likely, the dealer didn't use a torque wrench and did it by feel. Maybe hot cold/cycling loosened them up.

Damage probably to the threads and inside the wheels. Take it back to the dealer and tell them about it and ask for a free inspection.

 

Yep, it only takes one occurrence to potentially ruin your day. Almost lost a front wheel off a D100 many years ago under similar circumstances. Since then I've always checked the torque when the wheel/s have been pulled by other than myself.

Cheers,

Keith