Def. Right. So that means I cant hear. And I couldnt hear the noize that would come and go from the Passenger rear wheel.

Its a 1992 Golf 2 door.

So there I am driving down I95 on my way to work. Its the morining commute and the traffic is flowing right along at ummmm well a "good speed".

Im in the left hand lane so that I can avoid the Blue Route (476N) exit and I get past that and I hear a bang and then a whump whup ala flat tire.

Then a BANG!

Great. There is no breakdown lane on the left - just Jersey baririer.

Tap the brakes - no brakes...hmmm..

Hmm - the car is low for a flat..

So I look to my left and I see.. my wheel... rolling along w/o me.
And out of the corner of my eye I see sparks.

Nuthin like sparks to get two lanes of packed I95 to get out of your way

I look over and what normally would be two lanes of packed traffic is empty... they all backed off.

I put my blinker on and pull over to the right across two lanes and then onto the shoulder.
Coast to a stop.

The tire has rolled, pretty much at the same speed Im going, over to the shoulder where there is a huge berm and its launched into 20' into the air off the berm. On the other side of the berm is a set of active freight tracks. No train tho. Dont bother watching where its going as I kinda have my hands full......

I pull over and get to contemplate. Now I can panic.... nice and safe on the side of the road.

So I didnt get to make KYW 1060's traffic report. Thats GOOD.

The tire didnt hit anyone or anyt thing. Thats really good.

I call Gene's and they're kinda busy but they manage to come fetch me in less than an hour.

The tow truck driver and I go take a saunter over to the tracks and spot the wheel. I spot a lookout for the train and he jogs across the tracks and snags my wheel. Cool. It was a new tyre and rim (steelie) so that saved me a bundle.

Repairs didnt cost too much either.

Dang that I dont have a garage and that its too freakin cold to do maintenance stuff...


Modified by ewongkaizen at 4:09 PM 3-18-2005

Not the first time I've heard such a story though, back in the day (1995) a friend had that happen in his rocco.

Glad to hear your ok. Lucky it wasn't a front wheel at speed. I've seen that happen and the results were... interesting.

Yeah - Im kicking myself.

I am like sooo lucky on so may fronts.
No one got hurt.
I got the wheel back.
I didnt have to wait too long for the tow.

The repair cost is probably not much more than what it would have been had I paid to have it done before it ripped loose - minus the tow of course.

Oh - the FRONTS were replaced when I acquired the car at 120K. It has 130K now. It was much warmer in the summer.

you got lucky man.

Quote, originally posted by 16v po boy »

reminds me of the time my right front flew off. what a day that was. my wheel bounced off the hood of a honda civic, crossed 4 lanes of traffic, bounced into a parking lot, and caused $1200 worth of damage to the right side of a mitsu eclipse. the guy in the civic never stopped. that was good. and the only damage to my ride was a new wheel, tire, fender, flare, hub, and brake rotor. you got lucky man.

Now that was funny to read. Thanks for the good laugh. Sorry about your misfortune though. LOL

(Not my quotes but still good)

I LOVE MY MK2..."Because I actively seek abusive relationships."

"I'd say at least 10 Volkswagens died to make mine."

"Driving a Honda is like having intercourse wearing 5 condoms, it is more reliable but kinda defeats the purpose of driving"

Quote, originally posted by TigerinColorado »

It's like wiping your backside. Technically you really don't have to, but eventually it's gonna be an issue!

Quote, originally posted by Jrod511 »

Any idiot can poop on a windshield. It takes a super patient, super smart idiot to ruin someones life.