Broken Beadlock Bolts

[W_A_Watson_II]

Well I had a great time at the Indiana Dodge Truck Rally, and as always the food and friendship was great. It was great seeing old friends and making new ones. Thanks to Ron and his crew for putting on a great event.

We had a demonstration by a Power Wagon Bell Telephone Truck. they augured a hole, and then set a telephone pole just like they they did in the 50's, well maybe not as fast as they did in the 50's.

For those who didn't make it, we drove up the interstate to the Kruse Victory Museum in Auburn. WOW what a great WWII collection, worth stopping if you are passing through. However on the way back to Ron's, cruising down the Interstate at 65 MPH I heard a pop-hiss. Yes my M is now quite enough for me to hear sounds.

Sounded like I was getting a flat, no sudden deflation and the hiss quited down. I figured I'd popped the valve stem as I have to bend it slightly away from the lock ring every time I check, inflate or deflate the tires. Well once stopped I saw the problem. I'd broken to consecutive Bead Lock Bolts! Now being I was on-highway and clean this was a bit strange. Things like this normally happens when you are nee deep in mud.



The air was slowly leaking, but I was able to drive slowly to the next exit and into a gas station. Once there the tire had quite leaking, but not wanting to push my luck a fellow Rally member from MI who stopped with me gave me a lift back to my truck and trailer, while my son-in-law Chuck and his friend Chris stayed with the M.



After further inspection, both breaks had rust, one about half was through the other one almost completely. (see reply post for picture) Seems they were broke for a while and just now let loose. They are Grade 8 3/8" flange head bolts that came with the wheels and were torqued to 15 ft-lbs. So now to pick up some new bolts and replace all the bolts on this wheel, and check the other wheels.

Thanks,
Will

I am a Christian and believe in the one true God.
I believe marriage is between a Man and a Woman.
I believe in life, and oppose abortion.
I support the 2nd Amendment.
I believe in border security and legal immigration.
I support the Men and Women who defend the people of this nation.
I am a Conservative who believes in the Republic, not social-ism.
Am I a threat to Homeland Security, or Am I Homeland Security?

I AM Homeland Security!

[W_A_Watson_II]

Perhaps I should have realized that "YOU CANNOT CHECK THE TORQUE ON BEAD-Loc WHEEL BOLTS TOO OFTEN! Check before and after every event! I'll need to check the torque and see if this is my cause of failure.

[W_A_Watson_II]

Finally got past the receptionist and got to talk to Brant. Seems they must be screening their calls now more than they did in 05 when I first dealt with them. Here is what I got from the phone call:

1. The bead lock ring should NOT compress to contact the wheel as shown in the illustration. He confirmed that this would not allow the ring to properly compress against the varying thickness of wheel beads. In my case with the IROK's it would take such a large amount of torque (way in excess of the 15 ft-lbs) to attempt to do this that I'd never get a bolt strong enough.

2. Highway speeds and Air Pressured exert more stress on the Bead Lock Bolts than off roading. Each revaluation on a highway flex's the tire and thus flex's the ring, which side loads the bolt (seen in my third stud photo) and fatigues them to fail as mine did.

3. My trucks weight (probably over 6,000 pounds, still need to weigh it) and only a 20 stud Bead Lock is adding stress to each bolt. With my weight I should have asked for and used the Extreme Bead Locks with 40 Bead lock Bolts. My Truck weight was the one thing I didn't provide when I placed my order in late 2005. I can always buy the extreme rings and hand drill and install the nut-certs if the problem continues.

4. Recheck the torque often and keep spare bolts.

So it looks like I need to replace and re-torque as required and check the torque often. Now that the truck is being licensed as a Historical Vehicle my highway driving will be reduced, so I hope not to experience this again.

I hope this helps solve the problem and sheds some light on Bead Lock Designs.

Will

[MSeriesRebuild]

L9 bolts & nuts may help your cause here, there is a huge difference in strength from grade 8 to L9.

On the other hand, I guess issues such as you are experiencing explains why bead-locks are not legal for use on highway.

[ffr1910]

I have always heard that beadlocks were illegal for highway use. How is it that the H1 hummers were delivered with what appears to be the military wheels installed? The Governator:

http://img.metro.co.uk/i/pix/2008/07/ar ... 50x307.jpg

I run the humvee wheels on my rig.

bill

[MSeriesRebuild]

Military bead lock rims are too illegal for on road use, not up to date on all the details. The military rims have it stamped into the metal that they are only legal for military use. The gov fixed it so it's illegal for us, but not for them.

[W_A_Watson_II]

I didn't think we had a government left, I thought we had a a new Daddy telling us what we can and can't do.

Will

I am a Christian and believe in the one true God.
I believe marriage is between a Man and a Woman.
I believe in life, and oppose abortion.
I support the 2nd Amendment.
I believe in border security and legal immigration.
I support the Men and Women who defend the people of this nation.
I am a Conservative who believes in the Republic, not socialism.
Am I a threat to Homeland Security, or Am I Homeland Security?

I AM Homeland Security!

[ffr1910]

I guess my post wasn't not explained very well. From the link I posted above, the H1 pictured appears to have the factory hunvee wheels installed. if this is in fact the case, how are they legal for on road use?

bill