Revolutionary Hayes-L-Nut Wheel Fastening System

15 December 1998

Revolutionary Hayes-L-Nut Wheel Fastening System Lasts 7X Longer than Conventional 2-Piece Flange Nut

    ROMULUS, Mich.--December 14, 1998-- The ultimate wheel fastening system for heavy trucks and trailers is now available from Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc. , the world's leading supplier of wheels and brake components to the automotive and ground transportation industries. The revolutionary Hayes-L-Nut(tm) system has been tested to retain tension up to seven times longer than the industry standard 2-piece flange nut.
    The new Hayes-L-Nut(tm), with a suggested retail price of $3.60, can better withstand wheel loosening created by such things as loss of paint, contaminants or installation "seating in" of the wheel mounting face surfaces. The Hayes-L-Nut(tm) will overcome a larger loss of material on these mounting faces, thereby reducing wheel loosening, subsequent wheel breakage or wheel off-conditions.
    Comprised of a series of belleville washers integrated into the body of the nut, the design of the Hayes-L-Nut(tm) can be compared to an unloaded spring before loading. The washers act like springs, reducing the effects of torque loss from the normal "seating-in" process.
    In addition, the Hayes-L-Nut(tm) has a feature never before seen in the trucking industry. When torque is applied, a "gap" can be seen at the top of the nut. This is a visual indicator of clamp force, which holds the wheels secure to the vehicle.
    A recent accelerated test demonstrated that the Hayes-L-Nut(tm) retained tension up to seven times greater than the industry standard 2-piece flange nut. The test consisted of driving a dual axle trailer with a 9-foot spread through a one-mile elongated figure eight, and included both braking and acceleration components to help induce wheel loosening. Results showed that the standard industry fasteners could only complete 50 to 100 miles before dropping from 450 ft.-lbs to below 200 ft-lbs. The Hayes-L-Nut(tm), meanwhile completed, 350 miles and still remained above the 200 ft.-lbs. level.
    Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc. , with annual sales of over $1.7 billion, is the world's largest wheel manufacturer and is a leader in the design, engineering, and manufacture of steel and aluminum wheels and brake drums and rotors for the automotive and commercial highway markets in North and South America, Europe, and Asia. Hayes Lemmerz International has more than 11,000 employees and 27 manufacturing facilities in 12 countries worldwide.
    For more information about Hayes Lemmerz International, please be sure to visit the web site at www.hayes-lemmerz.com.