Beadlock fail at SEMA causes broken leg

[Sublime]

I mean yeah... anything can be dangerous. But how often does/has this actually happened? Kinda comes off as a warning from some "get off my lawn" type that waited 40 years for an incident to occur just to finally say "I TOLD YOU SO!"

Sucks that it happened, but in reality, most likely a complete non-issue.

I didn't intend this as an "I told you so." If you took it that way I apologize.

Sponsored

 

[jellis4148]

I check the torque of my Beadlocks every 3 months. It physically only takes about 10-15 minutes to go around with my torque wrench.

 

[Deleted member 74991]

Since beadlocks get discussed here once in awhile. They remind me of when I used to work on truck tires back in the 80s and knew how dangerous split rims could be. Beadlocks seem to not be treated as if they're potentially dangerous. The amount of pain must've been excruciating.

The Title is misleading. It should read “Another Bronco Owner Fail.” Or “ Built Ford Tough.”
In all seriousness hopefully there isn’t any permanent damage and everything can heal.

 

[txj2go]

Something is not right about this story. We need to know more details. I can't believe that that many bolts failed simultaneously. Just not happening with normal tire pressures.

The ring laying on the ground appears to be deformed like a potato chip. I suspect that a few bolts on one side failed first and then the failure unzipped around the perimeter.

 

[Gorilla57]

I check the torque of my Beadlocks every 3 months. It physically only takes about 10-15 minutes to go around with my torque wrench.

Which beadlocks do you have? TrailReady says to never retorque the bolts after initial torque. If a bolt comes loose, they say to deflate and retorque with new bolts.

https://static1.squarespace.com/sta...7fbd443e0/1654197965653/HDbeadlockinstall.pdf

 

[Creeker]

Condolences to those that were injured.

One item that is often overlooked is there are three torque specs for bolts.

• Plain and Dry Conditions (e.g., 5/16" , Grade 8 Bolt = 24.5 Ft*Lbs)
• Zinc Plated and Dry Conditions (e.g., 5/16" , Grade 8 Bolt = 20.9 Ft*Lbs)
• Lubricated (e.g., wetted with anti-seize 5/16" Grade 8 Bolt = 18.4 Ft*Lbs)

From first hand experience, a wetted 5/16" grade 8 bolt will break with ~25.4 Lbs

Reference:
https://www.fastenal.com/content/feds/pdf/Torque-Tension Chart for A307 Gr5 Gr8 Gr9.pdf

Sometimes, the instructions are not very clear as to the proper torque spec.

Reference:
https://www.quadratec.com/sites/def...ife-Beadlock-Wheel-Install-Instructions_0.pdf

IMHO, I find these instructions do not provide enough details regarding which torque spec to use on the 5/16" bolts especially when using a wetting agent like anti-seize.

Since most folks use anti-seize and grade 8 bolts with zinc plating when installing bead locks, it is possible that the incorrect amount of torque was applied to the bolts (i.e., like the 24 Ft*Lbs detailed in the instructions above). If the amount of torque did not match the conditions of which the bead lock rim was installed, the bolts may have been fatigued. If the bolts were fatigued and/or if tires were filled with too much air (i.e., above 40 PSI), this could have been a reason(s) for the incident to occur.

Oh, almost forgot, how many of us use a calibrated torque wrench and that calibration has not expired.

 

[rkwfxd]

I’ll never believe that all 24+ Bolts on a properly installed beadlock ALL broke at the same time while trying to hold 30-35 psi. This accident was 100% human error IMO.

 

[KoKo]

I mean, beadlocks clearly make a lot of sense off-road and they are awesome. Traditional beadlocks do come with a potential for catastrophic failure. I like the new concepts folks are coming out with that would not catastrophically fail, just let the air out.

First that comes to mind is Icon's Rebound pro

Speaking of which, I'm about to mount some 37x12.50 R17 Ridge Grapplers on my Rebound Pros tomorrow... Happy to report how that goes if anyone is interested

 

[Mx5red]

Speaking of which, I'm about to mount some 37x12.50 R17 Ridge Grapplers on my Rebound Pros tomorrow... Happy to report how that goes if anyone is interested

Wear shin guards.

 

[Mx5red]

Condolences to those that were injured.

One item that is often overlooked is there are three torque specs for bolts.

• Plain and Dry Conditions (e.g., 5/16" , Grade 8 Bolt = 24.5 Ft*Lbs)
• Zinc Plated and Dry Conditions (e.g., 5/16" , Grade 8 Bolt = 20.9 Ft*Lbs)
• Lubricated (e.g., wetted with anti-seize 5/16" Grade 8 Bolt = 18.4 Ft*Lbs)

From first hand experience, a wetted 5/16" grade 8 bolt will break with ~25.4 Lbs

Reference:
https://www.fastenal.com/content/feds/pdf/Torque-Tension Chart for A307 Gr5 Gr8 Gr9.pdf

Sometimes, the instructions are not very clear as to the proper torque spec.

Reference:
https://www.quadratec.com/sites/def...ife-Beadlock-Wheel-Install-Instructions_0.pdf

IMHO, I find these instructions do not provide enough details regarding which torque spec to use on the 5/16" bolts especially when using a wetting agent like anti-seize.

Since most folks use anti-seize and grade 8 bolts with zinc plating when installing bead locks, it is possible that the incorrect amount of torque was applied to the bolts (i.e., like the 24 Ft*Lbs detailed in the instructions above). If the amount of torque did not match the conditions of which the bead lock rim was installed, the bolts may have been fatigued. If the bolts were fatigued and/or if tires were filled with too much air (i.e., above 40 PSI), this could have been a reason(s) for the incident to occur.

I feel like I’ve ugga-dugga’d small bolts well past that on a regular basis?

 

[roaniecowpony]

The bottom line is: any kind of speculation from these pix is just that; speculation.

I guess speculation is fun, because we all do it. Myself included.

I'm going with over pressure. You know, those clamp on air chucks and portable compressors. Turn it on and go do something else, then come back at the wrong time.

One thing positive this event does, is give us all pause to think about the forces involved with a tire.

 

[jellis4148]

Which beadlocks do you have? TrailReady says to never retorque the bolts after initial torque. If a bolt comes loose, they say to deflate and retorque with new bolts.

https://static1.squarespace.com/sta...7fbd443e0/1654197965653/HDbeadlockinstall.pdf

I have KMC Tank wheels. Nobody has ever said not to rertorque, but that doesn’t mean I’m not wrong.

 

[Gorilla57]

I have KMC Tank wheels. Nobody has ever said not to rertorque, but that doesn’t mean I’m not wrong.

KMC may say something else. I was just putting out the info from TR. ??

 

[roaniecowpony]

I have KMC Tank wheels. Nobody has ever said not to rertorque, but that doesn’t mean I’m not wrong.

I think the Trail Ready recommendation, to change the bolts that lose torque, is to address the potential of bolt(s) fatiguing or yielding (stretch).

 

[Carlton]

He got bucked by the Bronco...

Sponsored