sooooo, my wheel fell off. damage ensues

VanMan2009

Hi Guys,

Need some help diagnosing a bit of damage that occurred after my wheel came flying off my van at 45mph driving home from work Friday night. Laughing

Obviously the rotor was shredded as it took the brunt of the damage as I ground along to a halt.

Last night a buddy and I replaced the rotor and pads on the drivers side front spindle where the damage had occurred. We get everything back together and the rotor spins freely on the spindle everything *looks* ok. We put the wheel back on and notice it will no longer spin. confused, we start looking around and realize part of the suspension assembly is rubbing on the inside of the rim, and the portion of the upper control arm that juts out where the ball joint connects is rubbing on the tire. Hmmm, this is no good. We proceed to cuss and swear but that seems to have no effect.

On to the pictures!

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

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You can see the rub marks here:

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My friend think something's bent, but I don't want to start just ordering random parts to throw at it. The only thing I could think that would be bent is the part that has the rub marks - I think that's the spindle / knuckle assembly.

I did talk to someone at Van Cafe and he seemed surprised that just having the wheel come off would bend that piece. He said you usually only see bent spindles when there's been a collision. But then again, don't know what else it could be?

Is it possible we put the bearings in wrong, and the whole rotor is sitting to far 'in' on the spindle which is causing the wheel to rub? However, you can see in the picture that this piece has been rubbing ever since the wheel came off (put wheel back on, limped home 20 blocks).

Any ideas or suggestions on how to start diagnosing this thing? thanks!

jordauto · Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2012 2:09 pm Post subject:

What kind of alloy wheels are those? Check the other front and I bet there is a spacer,and this one was lost when the wheel came off.If the bearings were not fitted correctly the rotor would be in a different position in the caliper.Oh and don't forget to hand torque all of your wheels and then re torque after approx 50 miles!

BillM · Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2012 2:11 pm Post subject:

I would pull off the good side and grab a ruler,straight edge and angle
guage then start comparing. You'll find out quickly what is bent or
assembled wrong.
Must have been scary. Be happy the damage is hopefully just a few bolt
on parts.
_________________
Bill M
87 Westy

CQ · Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2012 2:15 pm Post subject:

Maybe pull the other side wheel off. and See if anything is different, I wonder if they gave you teh wrong rotor or something like that. I dont think yo ucan really put wheel bearing too far in, I think you are supposed to pound them in until it stops, Inner wheel bearing that is. And maybe see if you rim is tweeked now causing it to rub. What made is fall off in the first place loose lugs?
_________________
82 Westy 'Betsy'
72 Bus 'Bertha' -Sold
Learning about 2.0L AFC Everyday.

VanMan2009 · Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2012 2:21 pm Post subject:

Hey guys, thanks for the replies. Wheels are the South African replicas bought from Bus Depot (I think) several years ago. I didn't think about spacers... that would be nice if that's all the problem is. I'll pull the other wheel tonight and see if I'm missing any parts.

Not sure if I have an angle gauge, but I could maybe dig up a protractor somewhere.

Now that I think about it, when I put the new rotor on, it sat just far enough in to be able to thread the axle nut on to tighten everything down. I'm starting to think the problem isn't with the rotor or bearings, which would only leave a missing spacer, or a bent spindle as options?

VanMan2009 · Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2012 2:24 pm Post subject:

msinabottle · Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2012 3:35 pm Post subject: Events such as These...

Events such as these remind me why every spring I work over every last one of Winston's lug nuts (I converted the front hubs) with a torque wrench. I had one come off in his old 'full moon' hubcap. It was the Devil's 'I Told You So.'

I hope you get the repairs done quickly and that you and your van are happily and safely on the road again soon!

Best!
_________________
'Winston,' '84 1.9 WBX Westy
Vanagon Poet Laureate: "I have suffered in
many ways, but never, never, never in silence."

VanMan2009 · Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2012 4:02 pm Post subject:

Well I pulled the other wheel and wouldn't you know it, spacers were there. There's no way I'll find them all back at the scene of the crime. Anyone know where I can order some? They're the 15" rhein wheels that were popular a few years ago.

jordauto · Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2012 4:27 pm Post subject:

Try Chris AKA loogy. Think he has some in the classifieds now.He is the man for vanagon wheel hardware.

NorCalbuggy · Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2012 4:33 pm Post subject:

take a look here
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/profile.php?mode=viewprofile&u=50809
_________________
"Steam seems to have killed all gratitude in the hearts of sailors"

1987 Westfalia Vanagon - "Clifford"

roberth3850 · Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2012 8:30 pm Post subject:

This sounds very scary!!! Does anyone know the torque values for CLK wheels? I have the proper lug nuts and don't know what the proper torque setting is. I have been doing it by the tight as I can get them method.

Thanks
Robert
'86 Westy
_________________
Accelerate.....naah
I gain speed gracefully

mariusstrom · Samba Member Joined: March 29, 2010 Posts: 745

CQ · Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2012 6:09 am Post subject:

Maybe the original ones had the wrong lug nuts too. Not that I have these wheels or anything but just reading what Chris writes on his T3 website sounds like that you need special lugs maybe when you put on these wheels. Hopefully he will chime in he seems to be the experts on the Vanagon wheel situations here.
_________________
82 Westy 'Betsy'
72 Bus 'Bertha' -Sold
Learning about 2.0L AFC Everyday.

70coupyel · Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2012 6:43 am Post subject:

Taken from "What wheels fit?" The ultimate wheel post thread.

Christopher Schimke · Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2012 6:53 am Post subject:

Antelope · Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2012 7:09 am Post subject:

Hey Andrew,
Kevin here, the wheels are Alyesso sports, not sure if I spelled that right, the ET should be stamped on the inside of the wheel. Give the ET to Loogy and he can hook you up with a new spacers. There was receipt in folder I gave you with the van that has some more information, I think they were bought around 1998 at some tire shop in San Diego if I remember right. Glad your okay that's scary stuff.

Kevin

timichango · Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2012 4:35 pm Post subject:

purplepeopleeater · Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2012 4:40 pm Post subject:

Where have you been, I've been waiting since march to get torque settings!
Very Happy

jsmitch11 · Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2012 6:08 pm Post subject:

denwood · Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2012 6:48 pm Post subject:

Bentley says 123ft/lb. for VW stock fasteners
Aftermarket stuff usually 90..as is all three of our other rides. Vw, Honda,Audi.

Using antiseize increases effective torque via thread lubricity (and I use it on all wheel bolts, particularly the winter drivers) so if you do this, 75 to 80 is good. The important thing is that you have a torque wrench, and that they are equal. In 29 years of wrenching, never a rim issue..

http://unlimited-usa.com/ftpgetfile.php?id=29 (lube vs dry torque)

With autocrossing, feels like I've changed a few too many tires....
_________________
Cheers,
Dennis Wood
The Grape


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