Wheel Fell Off After Front Brake TSB

[Mase]

For those of you who don't get over to the Sequoia forum much... please take a look at my problem and if possible provide feedback.

Here's a link:

http://www.tundrasolutions.com/forum...947#post270947

Many thanks,

Rich Mason

[keninsb]

That was pretty scary allright. I had a rear wheel come off on me once, it was pretty funny in hind site. It actually PASSED me on the freeway. No one to blame but myself. I worked at a service station at the time (was about 17 years old) and had put some new (used) tires on. The machine bent the rim and sent the wheel off once I hit the freeway. Thank God no one was hurt.
Anyway, in regards to your problem, good move taking the pics. I agree with the other person that replied to your thread: Bolts may "break off", but typically won't unthread afterward. It would appear that they either didn't tighten the bolts and they worked themselves loose, or forgot to put them on altogether. At any rate, at least SOME of the blame has to fall on the dealership.
I wouldn't hold it against the vehicle. I don't think this is a "common" occurance in any Toyota, and I am SURE we would have heard about it if it were (although I know this may be of little comfort to your wife). I would definitely go for the extended warranty. And one more thing: The piece that they used the heli coils on, is that bolted to the frame or welded on? If it is bolted to the frame I would ask that they replace the entire mechanism. If it is welded on, then replacing would probably cause more problems than help. Just my opinion and I am by no means an expert.
Good luck and keep us posted on the outcome.

Ken

[PXLpainter]

Scary indeed!

I was told by the dealer who performed my TSB last week that they hand-tightened the lug nuts with a torque wrench (per my request) - but unfortunately I don't have one to check it myself.

Though in your case, it looks like some other pieces were at fault and not the lug nuts/bolts? What exactly fell off the truck? The entire spindle and wheel assy?

Jeff

[Bbbutch]

I've seen this type of failure before. Your pics show it very well.
In the tech's haste to get the job done fast he hammered in the two bolts that failed while leaving the other two bolts only snug. As the vehicle is driven the snug bolts work loose leaving too much strain on the tight bolts.
Your dealer and his tech know this and is unwilling to admit to total guilt.

[tundrabrad]

I agree, they clearly did not torque the bolt to spec. 2 worked their way out and 2 snapped when overstressed.

I just had a very similar scenario on my son's Paseo air conditioning compressor bracket. Mechanic worked on the car, obviously didn't tighten the bolt to spec - 2 came out, 1 broke and 1 was hanging on for dear life...

Simple mechanic error and yes, the dealership knows it. Get what you can - the extended warranty is a good place to start. Toyota corporate shouldn't have anything to do with this - it's all on the dealer.

Brad