Bent Hub and/or Knuckle Assembly

SVXMAN2001 · #1 07-19-2015, 05:57 PM

Rear driver's side wheel ran off the hub. The wheel came off the hub almost completely, wedging itself at an angle in such a way that the wheel was supporting the weight of the vehicle. The car now sits about a half inch lower on the rear passenger side and the drive'rs side rear cannot be aligned to spec.

It's evident that the wheel is significantly cambered, negatively (towards the vehicle), than he driver's side.

Is it possible that the wheel hub was bent upward or distorted the knuckle assembly in the process of the wheel walking off the hub?

I've taken it to a local mechanic who installed a 1/4 inch shim/steel plate to the strut tower thinking that would even out the ride height difference...however no luck.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. I am inclined to purchase a new knuckle assembly, hub and wheel bearings to troubleshoot the issue but would prefer not to given the cost and huge PIA of redoing a wheel bearing.

Thanks in advance. Chris

Tapani · #2 07-19-2015, 08:35 PM

Does the wheel (tire) touch the strut? If not, then the knuckle is probably ok.

Have you checked the drive shaft nut - it has not come loose?

If you did not make the comment about the shim I'd say the top hat has collapsed because of rust. Top hat is the component which supports the spring and shock rod... and attaches the top of the strut to the vehicle body. You have to disassemble some of the interior to get access to the nuts.

Good luck,

T

PS a photo tells more than...

SVXMAN2001 · #3 07-20-2015, 04:04 AM

You're absolutely right, I'll work on getting pics to post later tonight. The strut and top hat are brand new so no issue with rust. I have not checked the axle nut.

The tire/wheel do not touch the strut from what I can tell. Hard to tell when the vehicle is not jacked up. I am using dayle's motorsport drop springs all around.

Stay tuned.

SVXMAN2001 · #4 07-20-2015, 07:03 PM

Drivers Side Rear II.jpg

Drivers Side Rear.jpg

Front Drivers Side Angle.jpg

Front.jpg

Passenger Side Rear II.jpg

Unfortunately I can't attach the actual photo as opposed to a link

SVXMAN2001 · #5 07-20-2015, 07:08 PM

The front driver's side angle pic and passenger/driver's side rear II's pics are probably the best examples of the height difference.

The front driver's side angle gives a great pick of the significant negative camber as well.

Again the driver's side is so out of wack that it can't be aligned properly and ride height is 1/2 an inch lower than the passenger side.

Additional note is that the driver's side rear was so out of alignment that the inner half of the tread was almost gone after only a few thousand miles on practically brand new tires. The shop I took it to bored out the strut bolt holes to get more play and force it into alignment. Clearly a patch to the symptom as if that guy ever goes out of business I'll never get it aligned again!

Tapani · #6 07-20-2015, 08:44 PM

You said that you noticed all this after the rear wheel came off, correct?

Are you sure that it was not like this before that and you just did not notice?

The rear struts are handed.... what if you got two right side shocks? Could that be the cause for the misalignment?

Did any of the control arms bend when the wheel came off? I am having a hard time thinking of what could cause this.... especially if the tire does not rub to the strut....

Anyone else?

/T