Sheered Bolts

Lanelle · #1 (**permalink**) 06-22-2005, 09:09 AM

How does this happen?

I see that the LS 190 is laying in our shop with one wheel missing. Looked closer and saw that every bolt had sheered off of it. Please explain how/why this happens. And, no, I'm not convinced that the guys are doing a good job with daily maintenance.

Bill Schwab · #2 (**permalink**) 06-22-2005, 09:27 AM

Lanelle:

Skid steer tires can and will work loose if you don't torque the wheel studs to the manufacturers recommended specifications. They are also one of the things we checked when we did our PM's.

Did you have a flat where the wheel had to be removed recently? Theres your cause....

We had all 4 wheels on the Gehl work loose on one very cold December day. That one I think someone loosened them on us.

Lanelle · #3 (**permalink**) 06-22-2005, 10:46 PM

After asking around a bit, here's the story I got: A little while back two of the bolts sheered off. The mechanic was called and asked to fix it. Meanwhile guys continue to use the machine(out of necessity) and the rest broke off. So now I'm not sure who I'm more angry with: the guys for running it or the mechanic for being slow to fix it. Or should I be looking deeper?

Bill Schwab · #4 (**permalink**) 06-22-2005, 11:12 PM

Well,
My theory is, if two sheered off earlier, that the wheel worked loose, or was not tightened enough after the last service.

I have had a couple of tires come loose on trucks, and, usually the first sign is clicking when you start and or stop, then a wheel stud will sheer off, then eventually, the entire wheel will pass you up going down the road.
Along with daily greasing, or weekly service, you should add checking the wheel studs and tire pressures into the mix.

To stop it from ever happening again, I would take it away for a day and tell them they have to resort to manual labor, then they might think the next time it sounds funny. Things like this just don't happen, there would have been noises first.

Paul · #5 (**permalink**) 06-22-2005, 11:17 PM

"The book says to check lug nuts every 10 hours" How many what to bet that this was followed?

Now if 2 had sheared off did anybody check to see if the others were tight? The most likly problem with it was dirt between the hub and wheel. This allows play and causes the above problem.