Lug Nuts Falling Out

[1ton]

Had a scary moment over the weekend. The lug nuts from the left rear tire all fell out and the wheel came off just as I was pulling the cart into the house.

Has anyone had this happen? I tightened the lug nuts pretty tight. I will try to measure the torque next time. However, it seems like it is the same rear left that came loose before too. The first time, I thought I just forgot to tighten it.

I have a 2016 RXV and the thread on the screw side seems fine. Now I am scared to take it. I did install 20" tires on it and not lifted so it does scrape a little. I am going to get 1" spacers.

Any other tips? I read about the Loctite. I can get those too.

[ojo]

With correct nuts/torque/threads something like that should never happen Loctite at this point isn't necessary.

[rngilliland]

You can probably stop the scraping by trimming the bottom of the bumper behind the tires. It won't be noticeable from the outside and you won't need the spacers.

I would just tighten the lug nuts to 85 ft. lbs and check them occasionally. I had a wheel come loose when I first installed my aluminum wheels. I had tightened them to 50 ft. lbs. I tightened them to 85 ft. lbs and haven't had a problem since.

[dronning]

^^ all good advice and should take care of your problem, BUT even if the threads on the studs look good check them with a thread gauge. If any are damaged you will need to replace them and the lug nuts too.

WORST case, but only because the wheel has loosened twice. Check the holes in the wheel to see if they have been elongated or become out of round. This would indicate a new wheel is required. There is a way to repair out of round holes but the repair is more expensive than a new golf cart wheel.
- Dave

[DaveTM]

Originally Posted by dronning

^^ all good advice and should take care of your problem, BUT even if the threads on the studs look good check them with a thread gauge. If any are damaged you will need to replace them and the lug nuts too.

WORST case, but only because the wheel has loosened twice. Check the holes in the wheel to see if they have been elongated or become out of round. This would indicate a new wheel is required. There is a way to repair out of round holes but the repair is more expensive than a new golf cart wheel.
- Dave

^^^^----What HE said!----^^^^

[1ton]

Originally Posted by dronning

^^ all good advice and should take care of your problem, BUT even if the threads on the studs look good check them with a thread gauge. If any are damaged you will need to replace them and the lug nuts too.

WORST case, but only because the wheel has loosened twice. Check the holes in the wheel to see if they have been elongated or become out of round. This would indicate a new wheel is required. There is a way to repair out of round holes but the repair is more expensive than a new golf cart wheel.
- Dave

Thanks for the advice.
I bought new wheels so I am guessing that is not the problem.

I have also cut the wheel well to try to avoid scraping but it’s still happening. I went ahead and bough 1” spacer just in case.

I got nee lug nuts too. I’ll try securing to 85.

Thanks!

[DaveTM]

Just an FYI and I know everyone is in a different phase of life where the family budget dictates what you can and cannot do.....but

I bought a 20V Dewalt impact driver for the specific purpose of swapping out my rear mud tires to a set of less aggressive tires that I run in the summer.

Whatever the setting is on the impact driver is what the nuts get tightened to. My lug threads are not damaged in any way as the nuts spin on and off freely (by had if I wanted to). I only point this out as I've never had 'em come loose.

BTW, my physical disability doesn't allow me the strength to do this by hand. MS is a freaking b!tch of a disease that does so many weird things to a body. (Not complaining...just stating the facts)

FWIW

[ojo]

Working with a impact wrench is very helpfull, but you should allways do the final tightening with a torque wrench for your safety. Maybe you can ask somebody for assistance at that step.

[Berg70]

Sorry havent read all previuose posts, but i do know IF:

! - make sure lug nuts are going on tapered end first
2 - bolt hole location is correct
3 - finger tighten in a star pattern, then snug bolts in star pattern before letting down
4 - then tighten when on ground.

i know trivial stuff, but I have noticed improper rim tightening on a lot of carts.

[maimiboyca]

I am having this exact same problem. same scenario, same exact wheel and threads are fine lug nuts both old and new go on without a problem. How did you resolve this?