I purchased my 2000 Jeep XJ about 8 days ago, yesterday on my way home I heard a clicking noise when I let off the gas on the highway, I was almost home and made a right turn onto my street and the rear drivers side wheel just came off when I was turning. From what I could tell the lug nuts all failed, I only found 2 on the floor. I drove the Jeep 400 miles when I purchased with no problems and it’s very clean for the year. I was able to put the wheel on and slowly make it home with lug nuts from other wheels. It’s on a 3in lift and has 31s with steel wheel. I notice the rear lug studs are much shorter than the studs in the front so I plan on getting longer ones. Has this happened to anyone? Hopefully it was just loose lugs.

After the wheel came off.

Front wheel.

Wheel that came off rear.

 

Something is stopping the rear wheel from seating the entire way. It could be the hub bore of the wheel itself. It might not be big enough to fit over the axle hub. Let's see a pic of the surfaces of the wheel and hub.

 

that aint no steel wheel. The studs should stick out much further. they is too short, or wheel too deep. very dangerous, check all wheels for correct stud length, make sure the nuts have same mating profile as the wheel.

 

I think the front wheel studs are longer and can be installed in the rear .

 

Always check your lugs after purchasing a new vehicle.