This is a very important public service announcement / reminder that almost got me killed !
CHECK YOUR NUTS BEFORE YOU TRAVEL.
Your vehicles LUG NUTS
I had heard a 'new' strange noise coming from the rear of my car a day before my journey this Saturday !
I was scheduled to do quick trip from my apartment in Sussex County, New Jersey to Middletown NY.. pick up a recently rescued / fostered dog....then transporting said dog to its new owners in Scranton PA.
I didnt think the noise was too immediately serious. I checked to make sure i had my tires properly inflated and they were, so i carried on. We made it to middle town and met "Buddy" the 5 month old black lab who was getting a new chance at life!
The noise kept coming and going as we made our way up Rt 84 to our destination in Scranton to meet Buddys adopters.
Unfortunately, we never made it to Scranton...
About 20 minutes from Scranton on Rt 84 West right before exit 20 for Greentown PA.... BOOM !!
The rear left tire just snapped off and flew away like a projectile into the darkness.
Sparks shot out from the rear as the bare metal rotor scarped along the highway. THANK WHATEVER HIGHER POWER YOU BELIEVE IN because I managed to maintain control of the vehicle until we came to a stop in the center median !
I called 9-1-1 and have to give a BIG THANK YOU to the very helpful and courteous PA State Police for the quick response !
**NO PHOTOS OF THE POLICE OR TOW TRUCK DRIVERS OR TOW COMPANY**
The flatbed came and towed us off the highway to the closest location that we could have Buddys new adopters come and meet us !
Thankfully they were able to drive the additional 20 minutes to where I was stranded and got their new dog !
TRANSPORT MISSION COMPLETE!
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It was all smiles in the end... except for me, now... because this probably WONT be a quick and easy fix... 3 days before christmas, too! =(
Heres a gallery of the night...
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I went back the next morning with a friend to try and locate the missing tire and rim. We found it !
It had shot completely across the median and all oncoming lanes of traffic, coming to rest about 50 yards off the highway.
THANK THAT HIGHER POWER AGAIN because I know that my tire didn't strike an oncoming vehicle, or it never would have been that far across the highway and into the woods!
Hindsight is 20/20...they say a good rule of thumb is make sure your lugnuts are properly tightened every time you get your oil changed.
But be careful not to over tighten , because that can cause problems as well.
Safe journeys my friends !
B~
MORAL OF THIS STORY : ALWAYS CHECK YOUR NUTS BEFORE YOU TRAVEL !
"Learn from other peoples experiences and mistakes. You wont have time to make them all yourself ! "