[Dr K]

I assume this is secondary to the backed-off axle nut on my driver's side rear wheel, but could it have been causative? Ben noticed the hub was loose (really loose) with the axle out, so I took the caliper off tonight - and (most of) the hub fell right off (with the rotor). I caught it (yes, I was as shocked as you all are). Here are some photos.

Hopefully somebody has one (Fritz--email sent) and I already have a new bearing. Might want some help this weekend with this. I have a huge list of things to do to get the Dawe engine ready for install--this was the last thing I needed, but I might take half a day off work Monday if I don't get enough done over the weekend.

[Jazzbass]

Wow... that's a new one on me. Explains the backed off axle nut.

[smdubovsky]

WOW. Really good you caught this.

As for pure speculation: 1) When the axle nut is really tight, that should put the whole stub statically in compression. Not sure if road forces are enough to overcome that w/o doing some math. But I guess how I can see *if* the nut had backed off on its own, then *maybe* something like this could happen due to cyclic fatigue. Or 2) more simply, it always had a defect in the casting/forging and was just doomed to fail eventually.

[HoodPin]

My money's on the nut came loose first, allowing the movement which causes the subsequent wear/damage on the hub itself.

[cmartin]

Explains the backed off axle nut.

Good note for everyone, when your car feels wonky, pit in and check it out until you find something. I had a similar situation a few years ago, hack shop left some trailing arm adjustment bolts loose after an alignment. Scary stuff.

[Vicegrip]

Originally Posted by AJ986S

My money's on the nut came loose first, allowing the movement which causes the subsequent wear/damage on the hub itself.

Agree but only a guess on my part.

I have seen a few stubs break in the same location. Get a new/replacement stub and assemble 100% per book. The bearing could be left in place and reused if you pull the hub stub out in the right direction while backing the bearing on the inner race. I might be inclined not to and install a new one.

Originally Posted by cmartin

Good note for everyone, when your car feels wonky, pit in and check it out until you find something. I had a similar situation a few years ago, hack shop left some trailing arm adjustment bolts loose after an alignment. Scary stuff.

Can't stress this enough. It looks like this car was driven in this condition for some time. bad hub or loose front wheel bearing can give a long brake pedal along with or without noise. If it feels wrong or something has changed come in and find out why.

[good hands]

This is the kind of stuff that starts happening when you are just too fast for the car you are driving. Dr. K maybe your skills are now beyond this car.

[OldTee]

Like to hear from Matt on this. My guess is the nut was not properly torqued. Or the car was hit hard at one point in its life causing a crack to start, or maybe a pot hole. Good find.

ARF

[Fritz]

Email returned. I can get it to you shortly.

[Jase007]

We've had similar breaks .. but mainly due to wheel to wheel or wheel to door or wheel to "X' contact. More often the trailing arm will bend / break (cast aluminum) versus the hub.

Glad you found it. I'd check the other side as well, just for Ha Ha(s).