What could be the reason my wheel all of a sudden falls off?

MRTHUNDERBIRD

MEMBER
1992 FORD THUNDERBIRD

I have a 1992 thunderbird with aftermarket rims (discount tire) said it was wrong lug pattern, though I have had them for years with no problems recently replaces the rack and pinion and now the front driver side wheel quickly gets loose. The lugs/studs seem to be stripping, replaces the lugs and studs the same thing happened causing the wheel to fall off while driving.

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JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,269 POSTS

That is interesting. How long did you have the wheels before this started? Is it only one wheel?

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Friday, October 28th, 2011 AT 4:08 AM

MRTHUNDERBIRD

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4 POSTS

I have had the wheels going on four years now, yes just one wheel

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Friday, October 28th, 2011 AT 4:52 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,269 POSTS

Try rotating it to another spot and see if the same thing happens. Make sure it is properly torqued. NOTE: Don't drive till it falls off. Constantly check to see if it is coming loose. Please bear with me. This is one I never experienced. I know with new aftermarket wheels, it is a good idea to check wheel torque after the first 50 miles, but it doesn't seem as if you are getting that far.

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Friday, October 28th, 2011 AT 5:09 AM

CJ MEDEVAC

MECHANIC
11,004 POSTS

CAN YOU SEND A PIC

CLOSE UP OF A RIM HOLE (lug nut hole), WITH LUG NUT REMOVED.

AND A SIDE SHOT OF A LUG NUT REMOVED

The Medic

THE MEDIC

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Friday, October 28th, 2011 AT 5:42 AM

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,870 POSTS

Just to add to this one make sure the wheel that keeps coming loose sits tight around the center of the wheel where it meets the center of the hub. Some of the aftermarket wheels have removeable hub centric rings that can pop out when the wheels are removed. When there not there they can cause the wheel to be not centered on the hub causing vibration wheel to loosen up etc. Also if the wheel requires hub off sets or spacers and there missing that could cause a issue also. Compare the wheel that loosens up to another wheel see if anything is different ir missing. If this all started after the steering repair something could have been left out when that wheel was put on.