Original Video Credit: IG/southern_drawl_productions Older heavy trucks often use Dayton style wheels, which rely on tapered wedges and clamping force instead of the more common hub mounted wheel systems. While the design is durable and easy to service in the field, it also stores a dangerous amount of mechanical tension between the wedges and wheel assembly. In the video, the mechanic demonstrates why these wheels earned the nickname “widowmakers.” If the retaining nuts are fully removed before the wedges are loosened, the trapped tension can suddenly release and send the wedge flying outward with enough force to seriously injure anyone standing nearby. The correct removal method is to loosen the nuts only a few turns and then strike the wedges carefully until they break free against the partially threaded nuts. Once the tension is safely released, the hardware can be removed normally without allowing the wedges to become high speed projectiles. No copyright infringement intended. Content is shared for educational purposes only. Full credit goes to the original creator. For any questions or copyright concerns, please dm or contact us via the email listed on our page. #shorts #science #education #learn #invention #interesting #tech #facts
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damn, you probably just saved someone a hospital trip.
“It can’t be that ba- *loud thud* oh”
It's the accent alone that makes even more credible 😂😂😂
So I take it the engineer that designed these to be like little claymores was absolutely fed up with mechanics telling him his designs made no sense.
Surprise buckshot
I fucked around and found out the hard way, knocked my front teeth out
For translation purposes, this text is also posted here alongside the video description 🧠: Older heavy trucks often use Dayton style wheels, which rely on tapered wedges and clamping force instead of the more common hub mounted wheel systems. While the design is durable and easy to service in the field, it also stores a dangerous amount of mechanical tension between the wedges and wheel assembly. In the video, the mechanic demonstrates why these wheels earned the nickname “widowmakers.” If the retaining nuts are fully removed before the wedges are loosened, the trapped tension can suddenly release and send the wedge flying outward with enough force to seriously injure anyone standing nearby. The correct removal method is to loosen the nuts only a few turns and then strike the wedges carefully until they break free against the partially threaded nuts. Once the tension is safely released, the hardware can be removed normally without allowing the wedges to become high speed projectiles.
Changed tires for almost 10 years. Can confirm he is correct. Those wedges can be under enough pressure to shoot clean thru you, bone and all. Luckily i was trained correctly and changed 100s of these with 0 incidents Edit: couldnt care less who believes it or not, ive actually worked with them. And you havent seen the pictures and videos ive seen. 😊 have a blessed day and stay safe
Split rims scare me
Lifesaving advice right here
This is what the internet should be used for
Never knew or heard about this, thanks.
Holy shit!! I was a hired wrench for 15 years, never saw this before (mostly just cars and light trucks). Thanks for the tip!!
Same with tractors. At least a lot of older tractors. When we restore them we always loosen the bolts but don't actually take them off. Then smack each one of the wedges with a hammer like you did until they pop. As long as their leaves you can go on ahead and take the nuts off. But I've seen one of them shoot across the room and through the f****** wall.
Great knowledge, definitely will help someone! 💪
i flinched
Helped me a lot. This morning I was constipated, but now I done shit my pants
Life like a box of chocolate,
I worked as a TPMS field service tech for years and they told us to *never* work on this type of wheels. Now I know why.
As a tire tech I appreciate this message