Dear General Forum Enthusiasts,

I have a 2000 Volvo V70 AWD SE. While driving about 8 mos ago, the left front wheel came completely off of the car, sheering the bolts right off, bending the fender. The lug nuts were on tight. Had the wheel fixed, new rotor, bearings, new tire, and had all the wheels inspected and lug nuts checked, wheels put back on and re-tightened.

Two days ago, while driving, the right front wheel did the exact same thing, came completely off the car, sheered the bolts right off, bent the fender. I had the same process done to the car, new bolts, rotor, bearings, tire. Again, I had all the wheels inspected and the lug nuts checked.

What the heck could cause this - twice, to the left and right wheel? Again,the wheels had been inspected, lug nuts tight, etc.

Has anyone else heard of this type of problem happening to a Volvo? 2000 V70 AWD; or any other Volvo model from around that time? And,if so, what needs to be done to keep it from happening again? I'm "on top" of checking the lug nuts every month and they were not loose. I'm wondering about some other structural failure or defect that could be present on the front axle?

Scary, weird and frankly,very dangerous. I couldn't believe it could hapen twice to two different wheels both on the front.

Thanks,
Clashboy

 

I have never heard of that happening before. What gave? Were the lug nuts broken off?

Also, give some details on the situation...

Mileage:
Climate:
Who was the last person to secure the wheels:
Prior noise:
Any vibrations prior to event:

I never physically check my lugs unless the wheel was removed.

 

Bolts sheered, nuts stayed on the sheered bolts.
144,000
Rain
My tire guy at a local place, I watched him do it.
Thump,Thump, Thump - then off came the wheel, on flat highway pavement
No vibrations

 

At a guess i'd say overtightened bolts.
Very common to find ones wheel nuts grossly overtightened especially with air wrenches.

 

+1, That would be my guess as well. You are not trying to tighten the bolts when you "CHECK THEM MONTHLY" are you?

 

Nope, after the first time it happened to the left wheel, I just checked each month to make certain the bolts are not loose, I never tightened them personally.

 

Weird and scary. I'm glad you're unhurt.

It sounds like impact wrench overtightening caused wheel stud failure. I always screw the lug nuts by hand, then use a torque wrench set at 70 ft lbs. No more, no less.