I was driving to work this morning about 50-60 MPH, and heard a vibration coming from my car's rear end. I thought I had a flat tire so I started moving over to the right shoulder. I didnt make it all the way, as the car stopped moving on the median between the on-ramp and the slow lane. I immediately called Don, my boss, and AAA. Before I had a chance to get out of the car, thankfully the freeway service patrol showed up. What a surprise, this guy owns a 2002 Camaro SS and has seen my car on the freeway before. We start looking over my car and I dont have any flat tires, but the left rear fender is laying on the tire, like a broke something in the suspension. He asks if I can get it moved all the way over to the shoulder to make it easier for the tow truck, but the car wont move at all, now. He grabs his jack but the car is too low to get the jack under it. About this time, the CHP shows up. He talks with the FSP, then with me. He wants me to get the car off the median and onto the shoulder, so he doesnt have to close the on-ramp when the tow truck shows up. Both of us explain that the car wont move on its own but he says he'll push me over. I get back in my car to steer and he bumps me forward. Thats when the tire & wheel completely breaks loose and falls over on its side, while the car drops down onto the brake rotor. He keeps pushing until I'm all the way over, then I jump out and inspect the damage. Don showed up at this time, and we realize the lug studs are what failed, and I was lucky the wheel didnt go flying off at highway speeds. The cop was all apologetic but the damage was already done to my rear fender.
The tow truck took my car to Don's shop with my dad while my mom took me to work. I havent heard from Don yet but it looks like at the minimum I'll need a new axle, lug studs, lug nuts, and brake rotor. I dont know yet how bad the inner wheel is messed up but Don says its damaged, too.

So, moral of the story, check your car over regularly.

 

Sorry to hear this happend. Same thing for me a year ago. No damage to my car, just replaced the lugs an studs. Your right these items should be checked once a month. Again sorry to hear about the damage.

 

I'm **** retentive about torque spec. ALWAYS torque those things to their recommended spec. Sorry about the damage, man

 

Dang, that sucks man... hopefullg everyrhing is ok on ur car. At least it didn't break off driving and hurt someone or u

 

that sucks. so all studs broke, weird. does this have anything to do with the new wheels. maybe they were loose.

 

"does this have anything to do with the new wheels."

That is a good point. Glad nobody was hurt.

 

Sorry to here this. Glad no one was hurt.

A similar thing happened to me years ago except the rim had cracked all the way around, from lug nut to lug nut. The body of the car compressed the tire and when the tire sprung free it flew straight up in the air about 20 feet and landed smack square it middle of the hood of another car.

 

Holy hell.

 

Wow!!!! That could have been an entirely different outcome! Glad you are safe and no one got hurt...
What a way to start your day

 

You're very lucky. The whole damage thing is a lot less than what it could have been. I agree about checking lugs monthly and especially after having the wheels off for any reason.

 

Good thing you are okay
And like others said its good the tire didn't came off during the highway

 

I totally agree that it could have been much worse. I feel bad that we didn't pull it off on Saturday.

 

My car fell on the relocation brackets an had enough power to pull it off the road with no problems.