engine and drivetrain That could have been bad...

[bmw2002tiidriver]

So I recently put on a set of ATS Cups that are et28, so I had an engineering friend of mine make some 3mm spacers to put on to get the offset right. I put the wheels on and got an alignment, and shortly after I noticed a significant steering wheel shake. I thought to myself I'll look at it next time I'm home in Greenville (I go to school in Clemson). Not too long after that, I noticed a shaking in my butt. Seeing as my hips don't lie (and after doing some research) I thought my center support bearing on the driveshaft was bad. So I drove around like this to and from work here on back roads with some twisties for TWO WEEKS. After returning home this weekend (going 80 down the highway mind you), I went to take off my wheels so I could get to the rear bolts of the driveshaft. I noticed that the bolts were loose. Very loose. I-could-take-them-off-with-my-fingers loose. I guess that little spacer didn't allow the lug nuts to grab. Thankfully, the wheels are straight so I can run them without a spacer. Lesson learned, and I'm glad to be alive and well.

[LimeySteve]

I preach at work (we restore old cars ) " start the job finish the job" don't in your case, put the wheels on & go have a drink, bite to eat ,answer the phone etc. Tighten the lug nuts properly with the wheel on the ground, tighten the rod bolts , finish torquing the head bolts etc etc, your distracted , & can forget what you had not finished & a disaster can occur, a few minutes won't kill you but a wheel falling off might .

Here endeth the lesson

[tim385]

+1 above , if something isnt right when you first notice it ....fix it now dont keep driving till it falls off .

[c.d.iesel]

TORQUE WRENCH

and after a few miles

follow up with

TORQUE WRENCH

[Colin]

You should really get some long studs if you're still using the stock lug nuts, too.

[TobyB]

Every so often, you just miss something.

It happens.

One thing I''ve noticed with spacers, though, is that it''s smart to recheck the

torque 2 or 3 times not long after mounting a wheel onto the car. Sometimes

they''re just a bit loose, sometimes completely tight, and sometimes they

loosen quite a bit.

Once they stop loosening, though, they don''t seem to go anywhere after that.

What I''ve found,

t'

[Kpeters]

I often forget things so I have to be super careful when I'm working on the car. I haven't caused a catastrophic failure at least not yet but Ive had my scares.

Checklists work too get organized as well.