Edge Hawk

Somewhat embarassing, but if it helps anyone from the same mistake, I'll take one for the team.

For example, I just put on my 2.5" Teraflex lift and 35s.

Install took longer cause I was mostly by myself doing it, and it was hot as balls on Friday. I also had a fiancee at home upset over some of the wedding planning for our wedding in 3 weeks. Took 10 hours, no break for food. (mistake #1, hunger & fatigue)

Anyway, I drove home after the install at my buddy's house, then back up that way again the next day to help another friend move. (about 60-70 miles). On the way home after helping move, I hit a bump in the road (or I thought it was a bump). A truck in front of me lost a mattress, I swerved to miss that. All the sudden the jeep started to shimmy and I heard a noise, like a rock stuck in the thread. I pull over, looked in the treads. Nadda. Drive a little more, clip clip clip... pull over, nothing in the threads.

Drive some more, shimmy again. My fear after reading all the stories... DEATH WOBBLE... I got home and had to go out that night, so I just left it to look over the bolts the next day. I was planning on re-torquing anyway per the instructions.

Sunday I get under the jeep and start unbolting everything, removed track bar, loosened lower control arms & uppers. I even made a trip to lowes to get grade 8 9/16 bolts. When I got to the drivers side upper control arm, I happened to see a scratch on my new rims. (Shit! already I thought?) Then I noticed I was missing 2 lug nuts!

Then I was able to undo a 3 with just my fingers! WTF. I went around, all the lugs were loose on the jeep. I was this " " close to loosing a tire on the highway!

Friday night, when the jeep was in the air, I used an impact to tighten them after finger threading them. Once on the ground, I grabbed my breaker bar and put a good amount of weight on them. I should have grabbed the torque wrench, but I was hot, dirty & tired, it was out of reach and I got lazy (mistake #.... i don't know). Granted, I used to slap on drag slicks and skinnies almost every weekend a few years ago. I could do the car in 15 minutes. I have never EVER had a loose lugnut.

The moral of this story is to not miss the forest for the trees. I was so focused on thinking I got the same problem this other forum member had or whatever, that I didn't start at the most obvious thing. (hindsight being 20/20)

tlminh

This is a good story to keep in mind. Safety safety safety. Fatigue and no buddy to check your work and not being focused can lead to disaster.

Know safety, no pain
No safety, know pain

TrainReck

Damn good thing you caught it. How do you Like the TF 2.5"? Are you wishing for more or is it enough for you?

TeraFlex

Congrats on your engagement and on installing that kit by yourself! Thanks for choosing TeraFlex!

Firelyle

Remember "Keep It Simple Stupid" The KISS theory works wonders!

Flip94ta

Thanks for having the courage to post this. We once did the same thing in high school after working 12 hours to install a 4 inch lift on a K5. We kept hearing chirp chirp chirp as we were out cruising. Lucky we caught it like you did.

Edge Hawk

Thanks, and you are welcome. I'm registered at Quadratec and Sears. LOL. Just kidding. Not really

06jeep65

Thanks for the mental note. I will be installing my lift this weekend, and probably by myself. I have to make a check list

Jeepshurtless

I am stealing this I'm a safety supervisor and I like this. I like a lot actually. A lil cheasy but hey it's my job.