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Front wheel falling off!

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Old Jan 1, 2005 | 05:42 PM
  #1  
Semper Fordelis's Avatar
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From: Perry Michigan
Front wheel falling off!

My truck started jerking all over the road, I pulled over and found that the driverside tire was leaning at a serious angle. I popped off the tire and found that I could grab the rotor and move it and the whole hub back and forth, almost like if the caliper werent there I could have pulled it right off! Any idea what this problem is? I was in my 79 F350 4X4 when this happened.
 
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Old Jan 1, 2005 | 08:26 PM
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From: Kalispell, MT
Something let go inside the hub. You'll have to take it apart to figure out exactly what. A shop manual will help with the repair - plus a spanner socket. They're not too bad. Keep everything in order as you take it out. Look for the snap ring inside the hub - it's easy to miss.

If you're ambitious or aren't sure what they look like, take the other side apart first to see how it's supposed to look.
T
 
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Old Jan 3, 2005 | 01:05 PM
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Sounds lke the wheel bearings are SHOT!!!

You will likely need a new spindle, bearings and posibly a new hub.
 
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Old Jan 4, 2005 | 12:32 AM
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I second JPB's opinion. Did the front axle make any noises before this happened like the bearing was on its way out? If not the other possibility is whoever was in there last didn't bend the tabs in on the retaining ring and the wheel nuts came loose. Either way if the damage is this severe chances are you toasted the spindle.
 
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Old Jan 8, 2005 | 06:28 PM
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Semper Fordelis's Avatar
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From: Perry Michigan
there was no warning of any kind before this happened, it was driving just fine and then I was almost on top of a minivan! I havent had a chance to tear it down yet but I will keep you guys posted. Thanks for all the great info!
 
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Old Jan 8, 2005 | 07:32 PM
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Do you happen to check for play in the wheel bearings as part of a P.M. servicing?(every 5-10k miles or so) Don't take this as Monday morning QBing, just trying to elliminate possibilities.
 
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Old Jan 14, 2005 | 05:45 AM
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I have had both front wheel bearings fail without warning on my 92 F250 4x4. Both times the outer bearing locked up and welded itself to the spindle. I had to cut through it with the gas axe and heat it red hot and peel it off with a chisel. On one side the cup spun in the hub and after several attempts at shimming I had to replace the hub. This all happened after I had driven through flood waters, I am not doing that again.
 
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