97 Camry LE 108K miles
Yesterday I rotated the tires myself since they were starting to
feather. Afterward I drove down the block and put air in the tires. I
had an alignment done two months ago with the state inspection but the
tires were never moved.
This morning my wife told me there was a funny noise coming from the
car when she backed out of the driveway and hit the brakes. I drove it
around the neighborhood but didn't notice anything unusual. Tonight
when I went out to meet someone and go out to an adjacent town we heard
the wheel making noise as we were leaving the parking lot. We quickly
decided to take his car instead.
On the way home it was making much noise but would quiet down when
braking. At speeds above 30 MPH you couldn't hear much, but when going
slow it sounded like a brake lining or emergency cable rubbing inside
the brake drum. Upon arrival home I had identified which wheel was
making noise and took off the wheel cover. Much to my chagrin I found
all five lugnuts loose. Apparently I had omitted tightening this wheel
when lowering the vehicle. I took care of it and then checked the
remaining wheels also.
Total miles drived was under 10 and speeds less than 40 MPH. I don't
suspect any damage but was wondering if anyone else had different
thoughts. Also why would it quiet down the faster I went? Was
centrifugal force involved? I never felt any wobbling or other funny
sensations at all.

Signature
No matter what happens someone will find a way to take it too seriously.
Greywolf - 06 Jun 2005 03:30 GMT
> 97 Camry LE 108K miles
>
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> centrifugal force involved? I never felt any wobbling or other funny
> sensations at all.
The wheel works like a gyroscope. Spin it fast and the law of conservation
of angular momentum will explains why it stabilizes.
Pat
Dbu~^ - 06 Jun 2005 11:07 GMT
> 97 Camry LE 108K miles
>
[quoted text clipped - 24 lines]
> centrifugal force involved? I never felt any wobbling or other funny
> sensations at all.
Did you inspect the rim to see if the holes are worn bigger. Also no
thread damage on the studs? That could have been a disaster. Sometimes
things like that happen if distracted. I know of an instance where a
person took his almost new car in for a oil change at the dealers shop
(Ford) and the young guy that had oil rack duty that day was talking to
his girlfriend who happened by, anyway he was distracted by his
girlfriend and forgot to dump fresh oil in the crankcase. The driver
took of and in a couple miles the engine was trashed. Needless to say
the young fella was now unemployed and the dealer had to install a new
engine. I'm sure Ford did not reimburse the dealership either.
Pays to keep your mind on the job.

Signature
jor - 06 Jun 2005 14:34 GMT
> 97 Camry LE 108K miles
>
[quoted text clipped - 24 lines]
> centrifugal force involved? I never felt any wobbling or other funny
> sensations at all.
------------
As dbu indicated, I would look closely at the holes in the wheels. They are
chamfered or beveled so the wheel nut will fit tightly into each hole. If
the holes are warbled out the nuts may back off. Worst case: you buy a new
wheel.Good luck.
jor
Jeff Strickland - 06 Jun 2005 20:14 GMT
Less than 10 miles at under 40mph should not present a huge problem. Pay
particular attention to the affected rim and lug nuts the next time you have
a reason to take the tire off.
> 97 Camry LE 108K miles
>
[quoted text clipped - 24 lines]
> centrifugal force involved? I never felt any wobbling or other funny
> sensations at all.