Interesting topic. Few years back, I had a 55 Oldsmobile Sedan, and I lost the front left wheel while rounding a corner doing about 35 MPH. It felt like the earth had fallen out from under me until the 3,825 lbs hit the ground running. I watched the wheel in my rear view mirror traveling down the hill until it hit the curb and landed on the sidewalk.
A true eye opener! I ran down the hill, grabbed the wheel and brought it back to my car. Jacked up the front end, pulled the lug nuts from the other three wheels and was on my way. Fully shaken from this ordeal, when I sulked my car and my pride back into my garage, I circled the car and checked and double checked the torque and all wheels.
Lesson learned. When it comes to safety, check and double check your work prior to launching your vehicle. If you have a buddy, have him do the check, if no avail, walk away and come back for the safety check. Chevrolet have a similar problem back in February 1946 with the 1-½ Ton trucks. Attached is a scan from Chevrolet Service News.
Dale
http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo352/46Canopy/scan0004.jpg
