The Curse of the Black Pearl.. I mean, the curse of the Mothers Day trip.. Okay I am over exaggerating, but I am a drama queen. As Jim and I were heading to the meeting point, about 20 miles from the rest stop on I-40, I heard a loud "boom" from the rear of my truck, the driver side rear went down, I am thinking blown tire, freakish. Did a controlled recovery and pulled to the side of the highway. Got out of the truck and there is no rear wheel!!! WTH? studs are broken, sheared, and my wheel is missing.
After getting a hold of my panties and changing my diaper. It was time to get to work and analyzing the situation. Then a fellow stopped by, Todd Mosley, Mud member from Memphis who relocated to Asheville area, and also an attorney. Got on the phone, found the Toyota place had studs and nuts for an 80, and offered us his driveway to do the work if we needed to. Also as attorney, he advised me when the troopers came, since my wheel had flown over the median and an accident occured on the other side. Thats another story.
Jim, Stan, and Jamie all came as well once Jim sent the alarm, and Stan went off to get rotor and pads, Jim got the studs and nuts. Stan had stopped on the other side and retrieved my wheel, which was in amazingly great shape. I had to stay with truck as per the troopers instructions. Called insurance company to let them know what happened.
Removed sheared bolts.
Parts came back, and 6 new Toyota studs got replaced on the side of the road, new rotor, new pads.
We then continued to trail head, but my head was still not in it, as troopers told me 2 vehicles on the oncoming side got into an accident and one was being towed. The best news was that no one was hurt. I got a citation for "unsafe tire", so Todd got hired. Also, he was extremely helpful the whole time when a level head was needed. Very much appreciated. Got to love Mud people.