Why you should take wheel bearing issues seriously

[Elwood]

Hey guys,

Just thought i'd let you know what happened to me yesterday - so hopefully it doesnt ever happen to any of you.

After finding out i had a wheel bearing problem, i decided to let it slide for a while as i needed to put my money into other places. The problem (noise) kept on getting worse, untill i finally decided to take it to the shop and have it replaced.

On my way to to drop the car off to have this fixed (with my friend following behind me in a differant car), i noticed the problem getting far worse so i slowed down, about to pull to the side of the road to call a tow truck.

Unfortunately i was too late, and as i moved into the left lane my front left wheel sprung off and i started sliding towards the gutter in which i hit going about 60kmph.

I wasnt injured, and i managed to not hit any other cars or cause too much delay. My wheel was actually in good condition, but my front quarter panel and front bar were all damaged.

Luckily, this has been covered by my insurance company (AAMI) who were actually quite helpful throughout the situation.

Ill take some photos when i go and inspect it in a few days!


-Steve

[ChargeR]

Sorry to hear. I drove around around with a wheel bearing noise for 1000km + with wide and low offset wheels, I am lucky this didn't happen to me.

[Zilli]

ah shat... that sucks a fat one Steve... sorry to hear man... hopefully the car gets repaired to you liking..

[tinkerbell]

good to hear it was only a minor incident. one very lucky young man Steve!

[fatboyz39]

WOW very lucky. I had a wheel came off @ 30km, fender +frontbar goneski.

[Calsonic_R32]

WOW very lucky. I had a wheel came off @ 30km, fender +frontbar goneski.

loose nuts?

[Mr AK]

How can you tell if you got a Wheel bearing problem?

[m0nty]

Grinding or friction noise coming from wheel. Very distinctive. Sounds much like a brake wear indicator but all the time You'll also get higher than usual heat around the wheel due to increased friction.

[tinkerbell]

also: deposts of rust coloured dust/powder around the driveshaft/axle nut...

[Elwood]

Update:

Hub (and bearing), rotor and backing plate being fixed - plus i get a new rim + tyre as they were both damaged.

Now i need to get in touch with Buddyclub Australia to buy 1 P1 QF =\

After this, then its off to the body shop!

[tinkerbell]

all under insurance?

[Elwood]

all under insurance?

Yup, all under insurance.

Found a problem though..

Not only can they not source my sumitomo tyre in Australia, but 16x7 +42 P1 QF's arnt made anymore, only the SF's.

I bought my rims as the QF's, the the pictures match up (so im sure they ARE QF's..) - so theres no way im going to have 3 QF's and 1 SF.

Just checked the policy, and i have the rims insured, so im not too sure where we go from here.

I have just PM'd Justin Fox from Buddyclub and explained the situation and am awaiting a reply.

[lukits01]

let us know how AAMI are treating you
Ive been thinking of changing to them

[kavehman]

I used aami for my clain a while back, well if u remember what happened.

I was very pleased with them, but it will be interesting to see what they do about your wheel.

[00dc2]

just dont let them pick the body repairer!