2000 Taurus Wagon Steering Wheel Shakes

[mattcruea]

Have I got a story for you.

About a month ago, while driving home from a friend's house, my steering wheel began to shake. I thought perhaps I had a flat tire. Upon inspection, nothing was wrong (it was night time, but my tire certainly wasn't flat). As I drove further, the wheel-shaking began to get more violent and I resolved to take the car to a shop in the morning. The problem there was that about two minutes later, my passenger front tire flew off.

Apparently my nuts had all broken. I've no idea how this happened or what caused it, however a tow to a new shop (my old mechanic left town a few months back) and $100 later, I was told I was as good as new. They replaced the lugnuts with new ones and sent me on my way.

A week later, while on the way back from a trip two towns over, my wheel began to shake again. I hoped I could make it home, but no such luck. Two blocks from my house, while making a sharp left, the same tire flew off. Another tow to the same shop and I was told my wheel bearings needed fixed. So they did, at "discount," replacing both my front tires, the wheel bearings, and lugnuts on both sides for about $250.

I drive some more and no more than a week after that does my wheel begin shaking again. I decide to nip this one in the bud and take my car to another shop. They tell me they can't find anything wrong aside from my back tires, which apparently needed to be replaced.

So earlier this week I got that done. However, it didn't seem to help. My steering wheel is still shaking and, after both incidents, my alignment feels waayyyy off and my brakes need work done.

Anyway, that's my story. My question is: What could cause such a problem? What's the root behind it? What do I need to get fixed? I'm suddenly very afraid to drive my car, despite having to for work.

Any help would be appreciated.

[LeSabre97mint]

Hello

Welcome to AFs! Have you had a mechanic test drive the car? Why do you say that your brakes need work?

Dan

[Colt Hero]

Two things come to mind:

#1: Your lug nuts are not being tightened sufficiently. I can see this happening once, but twice is highly unlikely (unless someone is trying to kill you).

#2: Maybe there is excessive heat build-up in the wheel due to friction that is causing the lug nuts to work loose. Also highly unlikely, I would think.

A couple other things ... you don't make any mention of the following:

#1: Damaged threaded studs. I would think after having the wheel pop off twice, the threads would be history. Maybe this is what caused the second failure.

#2: Damage to the body of the car. When the wheel comes off, the car hits the ground. Your fender and/or door should have sustained some damage, no?