I posted previously about a crack in one of my Alcoa wheels. I am positive this was caused buy the use of an impact wrench and torquing way too tight on a tire exchange!

I had instructed them NOT to use an impact wrench, while inside to pay, I heard the sound of an impact wrench. I ran out to find they were in fact using one. They had already finished so I paid and left. One year later during my pre-trip inspection I saw this wheel and the crack. I removed the wheel to change the tire to another wheel I had. It took 15-20 seconds with my 1 inch impact wrench on high for each nut to get the nuts and bolts off.

My 1 inch impact wrench is rated at 1500 lb/ft so one can only imagine what these were torqued to.

Upon examination of the outer nuts and associated inners showed extreme stress on the threads so those were replaced.

Later on the opposite side, I had to remove the wheels without an impact wrench and it took two of us with a 4 foot bar and a 6 foot extension to loosen them.

I will no longer leave the area while wheels are being serviced an for sure no one will ever come close with an impact wrench to mount wheels.