Lost wheel on highway

[AARuFAST]

Slotted rotor
failure like Brad mentioned.  Don't see any damage to caliper. the rotor must have disintegrated.
As seen in photo slotted.  Causing the wheel to grind the bearings and retainer.
Lot of weight and friction. Wheel falls off.

Next pic showes a slotted rotor.
Looks like the failure was the rotor, possibly combined with worn bearing being overtightened.
I would stay away from slotted rotors......

Summit sells this in kit.

[Super Blue 72]

Nice detective work! 

[erat340]

Lookit that thing . Major $$$ savings leaving big holes in that hub combind with crap Chinese steel, manufactor charges for high dollar aftermarket goodies, doesnt give a rats azz about your livin or dyin on the freeway, as long as our precious stockholders are satisfied, etc. Sheech, ask me how    I really feel.

[spamtank]

It's been about two years since I replaced my rotors and checked everything out.  I know I'm gonna double check it again this winter, now for sure.

That said, if I recall, the threads on the spindle are right hand on both sides, and the keyed washer prevents any tendency to tighten or loosen due to any bearing contact or motion.  Since this was on the drivers side, I would have expected the nut to loosen up, rather than tighten up.  Seems like the rotor was holding the wheel in place, until it eventually fatigued at the "spokes" and let go.  Surprising that the steering didn't feel too wobbly.  The caliper must have been jammed the whole way out board as the bearing preload went away..  I'm surprised that the caliper didn't get tweaked as well.

Glad every one was okay. 

[BIGSHCLUNK]

I find it hard to believe the rotors were the cause. The breaks on the rotor are FRESH FRESH FRESH.  The stress came from the actions going on on the spindles. Caused an by extreme amount of "pull"  on the rotor + heat buildup = catastrophic failure. I have seen rotors break like this before due to wear or racing conditions... BUT none had hubs that worked their way off the spindle. Granted I've been in the biz for 30 + years, granted I could be full of crap........     

[Super Blue 72]

..., granted I could be full of crap........   

You and the dog could make the full Stonehenge!!!!     Sorry Bigs, hard to let go of that image! 


Anyhow, maybe contact the manufacture to see if they have seen this issue before.  I can't say for sure where the issues was that caused the wheel to fall off/rotor to snap, but at least they might be able to look into it. 

[HP_Cuda]

For the Rotor to snap like that, I have to guess that the wheel bearing nut was on too tight causing major friction and finally failure, hence the piece froze while on the freeway and then whammo it snapped cause it had nowhere to go.

Whatever happened the bearings had a big part in the failure.

 

[BIGSHCLUNK]

You and the dog could make the full Stonehenge!!!!    

I was thinking the pyramids of Giza maybe 

    

[spamtank]

Hi Biggs,

I find it hard to believe the rotors were the cause. The breaks on the rotor are FRESH FRESH FRESH.  The stress came from the actions going on on the spindles. Caused an by extreme amount of "pull"  on the rotor + heat buildup = catastrophic failure. I have seen rotors break like this before due to wear or racing conditions... BUT none had hubs that worked their way off the spindle. Granted I've been in the biz for 30 + years, granted I could be full of crap........     

I agree with you.  I wasn't arguing that the rotor caused the failure.  Just waxing philosophically about whether the nut became tighter or looser over time if the washer were missing.  I notice the cotter pin is still in place.  But it's hard to see if it were sheared in any way due to the nut loosening.

For the Rotor to snap like that, I have to guess that the wheel bearing nut was on too tight causing major friction and finally failure, hence the piece froze while on the freeway and then whammo it snapped cause it had nowhere to go.

Whatever happened the bearings had a big part in the failure.

 

And I also agree that the the bearing had much to do with the failure.

If so, I wonder if this was the first extended trip on the car since the work done 2 years ago ?  Maybe a lot of short trips back and forth to the ice cream shop wouldn't generate too much heat.

[spamtank]

I was thinking the pyramids of Giza maybe 

    

You guys....

 

[brads70]

I find it hard to believe the rotors were the cause. The breaks on the rotor are FRESH FRESH FRESH.  The stress came from the actions going on on the spindles. Caused an by extreme amount of "pull"  on the rotor + heat buildup = catastrophic failure. I have seen rotors break like this before due to wear or racing conditions... BUT none had hubs that worked their way off the spindle. Granted I've been in the biz for 30 + years, granted I could be full of crap........     

  Same here I've seen them break and have the wheel come off but then it between the studs and hub. ( circle track racecar)
This one is a weird duck in that the rotor must have broke before the wheel  came off , other wise it would have stayed on the car as the caliper and spindle pin would have held it. I guess the bearings let go first and then the rotor broke off due to the leverage and the those weaker style rotors?

Looks like your going to need spindle, lower control arm?, maybe strut rod assembly and maybe a k-frame in addition to a fender? Might be beneficial to make sure the unibody structure didn't get bent either?
 I'd suggest getting rid of that rotor set up and go back to stock. I have a pair of spindles and pin type caliper mounts if your stuck but I'm in Canada and shipping would be prohibitive? 

I can't figure out how you didn't feel/ hear anything before the wheel came off?

[72cudamaan]

Judging from your second picture, the outer bearing failed letting the wheel cock outward,wearing away the spindle nut. With that much
pressure on the rotor assy., it cracked the rotor at the rear of the hub. This allowed the wheel to fall off of the car, allowing the front end to drop and disintegrate the  rest of the rotor. And Brad is on the right track with the many other parts that may have taken a beating.
I certainly hope that's not the case but diligent inspection surely is needed here. Good Luck

[Super Blue 72]

I was thinking the pyramids of Giza maybe 

    

There's 3 big pyramids, I'll have to come over to help you and your dog out!

Ok, I better cut the "crap" talk and get back on topic. 

[Super Blue 72]

Hi Biggs,

I agree with you.  I wasn't arguing that the rotor caused the failure.  Just waxing philosophically about whether the nut became tighter or looser over time if the washer were missing.  I notice the cotter pin is still in place.  But it's hard to see if it were sheared in any way due to the nut loosening.

And I also agree that the the bearing had much to do with the failure.

I wonder if the washer behind the castle nut was missing, would the nut get looser as that wheel is turning counter clockwise? 


Would be interesting to see a closer pic of the nut/bearing area.  Just out of curiousity.

[BIGSHCLUNK]

I wonder if the washer behind the castle nut was missing,

THATS WHAT I'VE BEEN WONDERING FROM THE GET GO............................