almost a bad day...

[JayTA98]

Well I was driving and was approching a red light. i slowly hit my brakes and I hear this loud metal grinding coming from the front and a hard clunk noise. So i think i lost a tire, no biggie. I started to pull to the right as I get close to the red light and the grinding noise is worse when I hit the brakes. At that moment I started to worry. I was thinking my front right pads failed somehow because I know they are not low. I started to use the ebrake to go easy on the pads. I made it to the 7 eleven at the next intersection. im almost to a complete stop the right wheel completely locks on me. I was lucky it didnt happened when i was driving.

So i get out, look at the tire and i can see the tire is fine. A closer look told me there is something else going on...
I can see the inside part of the wheel with a huge mark on the steel like something was rubbing against it in 2 areas. I pulled the wheel out and this is what I see.



WTF happened here?? A closer look around and I noticed damage to the caliper.


I kept inspecting the area and found the problem. The bottom bolt of the caliper bracket (the one were the pads sit on) was missing. The caliper and bracket pulled out when I hit the brakes and collapsed against the wheel.

So Im thinking how im going to get a bolt to fix this and get home. I knew there was a home depot like 2 miles away. So I decided to align the caliper back and tight down the remaining bolt to see if i can make it. I put the wheel back and it seems to be holding ok.

I decided to u turn around and drive back the area to see if i notice the bolt on the road. Nothing. I turn in the street were the 7 eleven is and I noticed the bolt. I stopped and got of the car. It was the bolt and it was in good condition.


i pulled in the parking lot and reinstall it back. The bolts tighten back like normal so i know the bracket treads were not stripped. I honestly think that i made a huge mistake and forgot to tight down this bolt after i retouch the calipers with new paint. Lucky for me the wheel didnt lock while driving. I could easily had an accident or hit another car.

I need to start checking underneath the car like once a week and check for abnormalies. Triple check everything !!

In going to try to use my dremel later to smooth out the damaged area on the wheel. I also have to take the wheel for rebalance because i think the caliper knock off the weight and is vibrating after 60mph. What a day and it was hot as hell too!

[KahanaReef]

That's nuts. You were lucky and actually finding the bolt was a complete fluke

[transamtom]

That's nuts. You were lucky and actually finding the bolt was a complete fluke

Lucky you were not on the freeway when it happened.

And real lucky to find the bolt.

I lost my wheel key at the track 3 weeks ago.....think I could find it?.....a big no.

Drove home on the slicks,ordered a new one fom Mcgard and took the damned things off forever.

[JayTA98]

That's nuts. You were lucky and actually finding the bolt was a complete fluke

I was actually suprised that i found it too. lol

[0rion]

I had this same thing happen a few years ago but it was a rear caliper. I didn't find the bolt though......had to go buy a new one.

[Sarge91]

Same thing happened to me when i was coming off a off ramp from I-10.. It was the rear one.. bolt back out, and never saw it.. locked the wheel up... saved it, and had it towed home..

That was a $$$$$ night!!!

[Lunatikgixxer]

holy crap dude good thing you werent hauling ass when this happened.. That would of been a fun ride. Glad everything is good though

[cammed goat]

You had the angels with you. Ya didn't wreck and was able to find that bolt...which not many have the ability. Glad you got it fixed.

[tatertot91]

Same thing happened to a friend of mine. Glad to hear everything turned out ok

[Pony_Eater]

same thing happened to me....twice...once on the passenger side and once on the driver side

[JayTA98]

lol thanks guys

[Cutlass]

I've seen it few times throughout the years, also. mistakes happen.

[JayTA98]

I have to take the wheel for balancing. The caliper scraped off the balancing weights and the wheel is vibrating bad after 60mph.

[SMWS6TA]

Damn Jay you were very lucky.

I had a close call a few months ago too, my lugs didn't get tight enough after putting new wheels on. I could hand turn them Took it to a different tire store and they did it for free. I had pictures of my new wheels passing me on the freeway......

[JayTA98]

lol thats what kinda whats happening to me now. I hear any clunk and i start to wonder what will happen.