Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Front Wheel Fell OFF !!!

[mlockner]

A guy I know had the front wheel fall off his half ton dodge. The mechanic who repaired it for him told him this is a common problem with Dodge pickups. He stated that the pin for the lock nut broke allowing the nut to somehow rotate the oppisite direction and unscrew itself causing the axle shaft to come loose resulting in the wheel falling off. Anyone heard of this or is this just some B. S. the mechanic was just feeding the guy I know. Just knowing what I do about machines and how things are built I just find this next to impossible, but I imagine anything is possible. Just thought I would ask.



Mike L.

 

[Whitmore]

my guess

Is that during maintenance the mechanic fatigued the pin that later broke off and allowed the nut to loosen up

 

[Shovelhead]

That's why you don't reuse a 25 cent coter pin. :--)

 

[mlockner]

To my knowledge there was no maint done. just driving along and off it goes.

 

[fj40charles]

This sounds like an isolated case. I have not heard of anyone else experiencing this problem.



Also, what other grade of cotter pins are there?



Charles

 

[B.G. Smith]

Wheel off

What state was that in? You know that is how break dancing got started, kids stealing hub caps while the vehicle was in motion, maybe he tried to get the wheel too. bg

 

[TomGolden]

Lock nuts?? Cotter pins?? Never heard of such things that just hold the wheels on any vehicle... . or am I missing something

 

[tmacc]

Pull your front center cap off and look at how the hub is attached to the axle. And..... while you have that cap off, put it in a box and send it to 14506 Monticello Dr... ... ... Sorry Tom, couldn't resist. LOL

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by mlockner



The mechanic who repaired it for him told him this is a common problem with Dodge pickups.

Mike L.

Mike, check with your friend and see if this Mechanic also told him that "Ford owned Cummins" :-laf :-laf

 

[HEMI®Dart]

Not sure about 1/2 tons........

But 3/4 & 1 ton Ram's the rotor is attached to the steering knuckle by 4 bolts w/ 125 lbs torque. The axle nut can come off, but the wheel won't without loosening the 4 bolts. You would probably ruin the sealed hub bearing because the axle shaft (loose) is no longer pre-loading the bearing assembly.

 

[kaffine krazed]

Yes it is a common problem. I've seen it on 1500 and 2500. Normally the wheel dosen't completly come of it just becomes very loose and starts to wobble.

 

[Roger rodbolt]

2wd and 4wd are different

I thinks that several folks are talking about 2wd front ends and others are thinking 4wd..... they are not the same. HTH's Larry

 

[mlockner]

This was on a 4 wheel drive truck.

 

[Roger rodbolt]

Re: Not sure about 1/2 tons........

Originally posted by HEMI®Dart

But 3/4 & 1 ton Ram's the rotor is attached to the steering knuckle by 4 bolts w/ 125 lbs torque. The axle nut can come off, but the wheel won't without loosening the 4 bolts. You would probably ruin the sealed hub bearing because the axle shaft (loose) is no longer pre-loading the bearing assembly.

If you are talking about 2nd generation 4wd's then what Hemi said is your correct answer.

 

[TomGolden]

Originally posted by tmacc

Pull your front center cap off and look at how the hub is attached to the axle. And..... while you have that cap off, put it in a box and send it to 14506 Monticello Dr... ... ... Sorry Tom, couldn't resist. LOL

:-laf Tom, if I had any more, I'd send them along



Ok, now I understand what you mean. I guess I was being a bit too technical. The nut you're talking about isn't directly on the wheel itself, at least not on my 4x4, but rather is part of the whole rotor/axle assembly. That's what confused me. I was thinking strictly of the wheel only...

 

[hammersley]

VIN ####

We Must have the VIN #, and all related paperwork regarding this? In all honesty I sense a little Diesel Page stuff here!

 

[cmckinney]

My neighbor had that similar thing happen to him in his 1992 4x4 Ram Charger.



He and his family where coming back from PA and his left front tire came off on the highway. It was the rotor and all so it wasn't just the tire and wheel. I don't remember how the mechanic explained to him what happened but Dodge took care of his repairs for him. This all happened about 5 yrs after he bought the vehicle.



-CM