Wheel hub failure ???
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 3,494
Likes: 36
From: Livermore Ca
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Wheel hub failure ???
This happen to me on the way home from work on x-mas day.
The bearing did not freeze up. It will still turn.
The wheel was held on to the car by the rotor and calpier.
Fun night....
The bearing did not freeze up. It will still turn.
The wheel was held on to the car by the rotor and calpier.
Fun night....
Last edited by Coupe89; Dec 26, 2004 at 10:52 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,183
Likes: 1
From: MidOhio
Gauuuuud!!! You got my attention--I'm looking for an '89! 
I'd be interested in knowing the actual failure mode. If it failed in torsion from a torque overload, the fracture area will have a 45 degree helically angled surface form. If it failed by bending fatigue, you should see a basically flat progressive area of "shiney" metal, perhaps with an obviously rusted or weathered area where a crack started on the OD, followed by the final torsion failue with it's characteristic 45 degree final break. Hardness testing and microstructure examination would also be appropriate to get a good idea of the primary cause. Close-up pics would be good. If you like, let me know and I'll send you the shipping money to send it to me. If so, try not to mechanically damage the broken surfaces. Do you know if that's a GM original or an aftermarket unit? Sure hope that was a fluke!!
I never liked those "packaged" bearings--I've been toying with the idea of converting them to the old standard "Timken" style that last forever with a little care. That's way down the road though, gotta get the car first!
Last edited by tonymax2; Dec 27, 2004 at 12:21 AM. Reason: spelling and add question
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 3,494
Likes: 36
From: Livermore Ca
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
http://www.ong-inc.com/car/vett/DSC01421.JPG here is another pic
Front what I can tell it my have a few stress cracks. Very hard to see. The break is almost a 45 degree angle but the wheel part is concave slighly and the hub part is convex. The center looks like its been snapped. not smooth as the outter.
My thoughts on this was to buy 2 new hubs today after I took the front apart.
Front what I can tell it my have a few stress cracks. Very hard to see. The break is almost a 45 degree angle but the wheel part is concave slighly and the hub part is convex. The center looks like its been snapped. not smooth as the outter.
My thoughts on this was to buy 2 new hubs today after I took the front apart.
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 3,494
Likes: 36
From: Livermore Ca
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Originally Posted by tonymax2
Gauuuuud!!! You got my attention--I'm looking for an '89! I'd be interested in knowing the actual failure mode. If it failed in torsion from a torque overload, the fracture area will have a 45 degree helically angled surface form. If it failed by bending fatigue, you should see a basically flat progressive area of "shiney" metal, perhaps with an obviously rusted or weathered area where a crack started on the OD, followed by the final torsion failue with it's characteristic 45 degree final break. Hardness testing and microstructure examination would also be appropriate to get a good idea of the primary cause. Close-up pics would be good. If you like, let me know and I'll send you the shipping money to send it to me. If so, try not to mechanically damage the broken surfaces. Do you know if that's a GM original or an aftermarket unit? Sure hope that was a fluke!!
I never liked those "packaged" bearings--I've been toying with the idea of converting them to the old standard "Timken" style that last forever with a little care. That's way down the road though, gotta get the car first!
I got this hub from Rockauto.com or Katco (Parts House). They use the same parts.
I would also like to know what caused this. Im thinking it was a bad casting or metal compounds.
If you want me to send it let me know where is going.
My roommate saw my hub and went with me to the autoparts store. He bought 2 hubs for his WS6
BTY: the hub is on the ground and on the spindle.
Last edited by Coupe89; Dec 27, 2004 at 01:01 AM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 3,494
Likes: 36
From: Livermore Ca
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Originally Posted by Corvette Kid NC
Unless my eyes deceive me, the hub's fine. The spindle broke, right?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 3,494
Likes: 36
From: Livermore Ca
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
I'm fine. I was a shock to see in the morning when I took it a part.
Damage: Rim had some shavings inside the rim and the weights were knocked off. The rotor has a nice deep mark and some marks on the calpier.
I did this when I was on turning on Homes to Wentor
Damage: Rim had some shavings inside the rim and the weights were knocked off. The rotor has a nice deep mark and some marks on the calpier.
I did this when I was on turning on Homes to Wentor
