losing a rear wheel

Mykneesbehurtin · Apr 8, 2019

In northern Ohio on this past Saturday a 2012 trike lost a rear wheel causing it to turn and ride into the concrete barrier turning over and killing the rider. Now i heard someone on here that lost a rear wheel awhile back,is this something that happens from time to time on a Tri Glide.Of course there is no way to know if he or someone else had taken the wheels off recently for service work so there are questions that remain.But it made me go out and check the torque on my wheels,and all was good.On aluminum car wheels it says to retorque after a 100 miles so i am assuming its the same on Tri Glide wheels.At least that is the procedure that i have always followed,I didnt know the gentleman but i hate to hear that.

ol' school · Apr 8, 2019

Yes Steve, sad story for sure. Thanks for sharing so we all are aware!

DK Custom Products · Apr 8, 2019

Sad, and so unnecessary.

Yes, it is in the HD Trike manuals to re-torque the lug nuts after 100 miles. I do mine after 50, and then again after another 50. I have NO desire to have a wheel let loose.

There is a member on this forum, keystone, that lost a rear tire. If I recall correctly, it was after the dealership had worked on it. He was ok, but much damage to the Tri Glide.

Kevin

rhino 2 · Apr 8, 2019

Mykneesbehurtin said:
In northern Ohio on this past Saturday a 2012 trike lost a rear wheel causing it to turn and ride into the concrete barrier turning over and killing the rider.Now i heard someone on here that lost a rear wheel awhile back,is this something that happens from time to time on a Tri Glide.Of course there is no way to know if he or someone else had taken the wheels off recently for service work so there are questions that remain.But it made me go out and check the torque on my wheels,and all was good.On aluminum car wheels it says to retorque after a 100 miles so i am assuming its the same on Tri Glide wheels.At least that is the procedure that i have always followed,I didnt know the gentleman but i hate to hear that.

......

Fearless · Apr 8, 2019

Very saddened to hear about the tragedy. I had ours off time to check again third time for me. Prayers for the victim's family. Fred/Jeanne

ShapeShifter · Apr 8, 2019

Prayers to the Family and Close Friends.

Sunman · Apr 9, 2019

Sad to hear this. Thanks for posting; good reminder to check the torque after a few miles when one has had the wheels off.

Sunman

FuzzyWuzHe · Apr 9, 2019

It is truly sad for anyone to loose life over something that is within our control. Even if you have never touched a wrench in your life, there are any number of places that will check torque on lugs for free or a minimal fee.

I read an article about the need to torque and re torque lugs on aluminum wheels .. I can't remember all the scientific reasons, but, it was convincing as to the need to do it. It has something to do with the two metals, aluminum (wheels) and steel (lug nuts and threads) heating and cooling at different rates. When to re torque in the articles opinion was not so much a matter of miles, as it is a matter of heat cycles (wheels heating up and cooling off due to use. The article also said it was necessary to re torque all wheels, but the aluminum ones are especially prone to coming loose if not re torqued after several heat cycles.

PosseRider · Apr 9, 2019

I would be curious as to : was it, just the wheel came off (loose lugs), or did the the bearing fail, & assembly broke off. Either way it is a sad thing. My friend had that happen on his car. Front wheel Broke off (hub still attached) just as we were getting on the Interstate.

FuzzyWuzHe · Apr 9, 2019

PosseRider said:
I would be curious as to : was it, just the wheel came off (loose lugs), or did the the bearing fail, & assembly broke off. Either way it is a sad thing.

Never thought about that ... I had a Toyota Celica when I was a pup in the Navy ... I used to drive it from Bainbridge Maryland to Abington, Massachusetts every weekend while in Nuclear power school (yea ... a girl was involved ..

) and on one such trip, about 60 miles from Abington at 60 mph, the right front wheel bearing seized. That was exciting, almost rolled the car. I can see where being on a trike would make that sooooo much more dangerous.

Philip R · Apr 9, 2019

What is recommended torque for rear wheels?

PosseRider · Apr 9, 2019

Philip R said:
What is recommended torque for rear wheels?

I don't recall right now. It will be in your manual. If you don't get ab answer soon, I will check when I go out to the garage.

FuzzyWuzHe · Apr 9, 2019

On my 14 the spec is 90-100 foot pounds

PosseRider · Apr 9, 2019

Found this on-line for a 15 TG 90-100 ft. lbs

Philip R · Apr 9, 2019

PosseRider said:
Found this on-line for a 15 TG 90-100 ft. lbs

Thanks, gents. Putting a number here could save a life.

Philip R · Apr 9, 2019

On my last few times, getting tires rotated on my truck at Discount Tire, they brushed the hubs to clean off any accumulated rust & debris.

Jack Klarich · Apr 9, 2019

Philip R said:
On my last few times, getting tires rotated on my truck at Discount Tire, they brushed the hubs to clean off any accumulated rust & debris.

A good clean mating surface is a MUST

ultrafxr · Apr 9, 2019

Heading out for a 1,500 + mile road trip tomorrow. You bet I checked the lug nut torque. Thanks for reminding me.

cward59 · Apr 10, 2019

ultrafxr said:
Heading out for a 1,500 + mile road trip tomorrow. You bet I checked the lug nut torque. Thanks for reminding me.

broke out the torque wrench this morning before heading to work. I just put some custom wheels on my TG.

LadyonaMission · Apr 10, 2019

PosseRider said:
Found this on-line for a 15 TG 90-100 ft. lbs

Is it safe to assume the same on a 15 Freewheeler?

losing a rear wheel

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