Help Testarossa wheel fell off - how can I fasten it back on temporarily

How far is the car from your house?

 

Why not just tow it home? It is probably best if you order a new knock off on Monday. It would be pretty tough to find something similiar. Any damage to the threads? I wonder why it fell off?

 

Sorry this happened and I couldnt be more help. Fortunately it happened a a slow speed and not going too fast. They need to be checked on a regular basis to make sur ethey are tight. Make sure you purchase a socket from ricambi for the nut to make tightening it easier for you.

 

You won't get that at Home Depot (or probably anywhere else locally).

Go back to the scene and walk the road before you first noticed the change.

You are lucky it didn't come off at speed.

 

hey guys, never seen one of these early TR's up close, but is there a slot in the splined shaft? i am asking because i am wondering if you could drill a hole (#21) hole in the nut and use .032 safety wire to help secure this nut after it is torqued. i know a TR is a road car, but i am puzzled why Ferrari did not lock these with safety wire or a cotter pin originally.

seems the 288 and F40 have big cotter pins for the spline nuts?

i like the looks of the early TR, but have heard several formal owners say they disliked the hassle with the tire size on the early cars and the knockoff wheels.

i think its part of the heritage of the cars. if it can be made safer, they should be used as intended.

glad there was no sheet metal damage!

 

This is not the first time I have heard of this. A friend lost his rear wheel, and 30K latter had the fender repaired. Also, just a month ago on a rally a beautiful XKE lost a rear spinner, but no damage. Turns how he had them on the wrong sides.

 

That's interesting....

I recently was confirming that I had my 66 Corvette KO's on the correct sides and ran into a few guys who have had their's "backwards" for years and no problems. The corvette KO's do have safety pins, perhaps teh Jag's don't and only rely on the centrifugal force to keep them tight??

As I understand it, early TR's don't have any sort of saftey pin or hardware...could that be right?

 

Dear Ferraristi,

Get AAA. That one 5 mile tow to your house will cost you about $100.00 That is more than AAA +. You get 5 tows with a 100 mile limit.

I've never needed it for a breakdown but use it to send my TR to my F dealer in Orlando. Sometimes I don't have the time to drive it in.

Shamile

Freeze...Miami Vice !

 

The bolt is 40mm x 3.0 mm and nobody is going to have one. Try to find a friend with a metal lathe and they could cut you one in about two hours. A machine shop could do it. There is a special contour in the head that jams against the wheel so a regular bolt works at very low speed and short distance. Note that the car has reverse threads on one side (I'm thinking pass side without checking). Treat yourself to a Hill engineering socket from Ricambi........it is beautiful, well made......and check your wheel bolts often (350 ft lbs, I think). When I had to replace one bolt.....it was like $700. You are very lucky you stopped before the wheel fell off. Buy a lottery ticket. YMMV

Jeff Pintler
89 348tb, 86tr

 

Leave the car where it is. Order a new wheel bolt (Red Label, next day air).

If they are on properly it is rare for them to come loose.

Usually getting them off is the problem.

 

Try sheet metal screws. They seemed to work everywhere on the Mondial

 

Not meaning to make a joke out of this, but made any enemies lately?

Someone posted its like 350lbs to tighten the bolt to spec, seems like a lot to break loose while driving. I'm sure it can loosen, but seems unlikely.

Maybe you had the tires looked at recently or took it to a service shop for some work? Or, as mentioned, someone mad at ya?

I once had a motorcycle that I parked at the local mall when I went shopping, and for no reason, someone pulled the plug wires out of 2 of the 4 cylinders, the bike ran rough and had no accelaration but it did start and run. Took me a few miles to realize what happened.

I've very glad it happened at low speed........ As someone else said, go buy a lottery ticket.

James in Denver

 

Sorry to hear that this happened to you and your TR!! But I'm glad that there wasn't any damage or anyone hurt!!

I'm sure you will find another center locking nut, and get your TR back on the road soon enough. Check with Daniel at Ricambi America, he can probably get ya the part ASAP!!

One thing to do with center locking early TR's is to tighten/torque the wheels down to proper ft/lbs, then use a grease pencil to draw a small line (hash mark) from the locking nut onto the rim. This way, you can do a quick check to see if the center locking nut is starting to back off/loosen. If the hash mark on the nut doesn't line up with the hash mark on the rim, then you know to re-tighten (re-torque) that nut. F-Chatter Adam Goldman (ASG86TR) does this with his '86 TR. Hope this helps you in the future!!!

 

Any TR owner in the area that could loan you a nut until you get it home?

 

Folks, it's not a nut. It's a bolt. Hate to be pedantic but let's get it right.

Software....as Jeff mentioned those bolts aren't cheap. I've seem 'em on ebay every once in a blue moon. If I were you just pony up with Daniel for a new bolt and socket and grab a 3/4" drive torque wrench off of ebay. Torque them properly and sleep easy at night.

And don't get AAA to tow the Tr unless you want more problems. Find out who your nearest F-car dealer or indie mechanic recommends and get their business card. You really do not want just anyone with a flatbed to show up have it be the first time he's towed a Tr.

 

Interestingly and also technically incorrect the PM also lists the wheels bolts for the 88.5 and up as 'wheel studs'

 

Dear Ferraristi,

I've never had a problem with AAA. When you call in, ask for a flatbed and tell them it's for a ferrari. I've used them many times over the past (ok, I'm embarrased to say ) 18 years. Use the tow hook that came with the car and carry to small wood blocks to raise the front wheels so the spoiler will clear the slope of the tow-bed. Most drivers take pride in their work...just treat them with respect and not like a clueless moron, and most times you will be just fine.

Honestly....I think it is cheap insurance when you're in a pinch.

Shamile

Freeze...Miami Vice !