Axel falls of 1999 4Runner and kills a girl
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LittleCaesar
New member
I can't think of one time I have heard of such happening on here or on YT in ten years. Unless rust got a hold of something long ago, I chalk it up as failed wheel studs or more of someone not tightening the nuts down.
I have seen times where less than astute backyard mechanics don't spin the nuts on the studs but instead take them and put them in the socket, then line them on the stud and live out their NASCAR tire changing pit crew fantasy. Thus little to no thread remains on the stud. Consider this can be the case in South Carolina, where this occurred.
I have seen times where less than astute backyard mechanics don't spin the nuts on the studs but instead take them and put them in the socket, then line them on the stud and live out their NASCAR tire changing pit crew fantasy. Thus little to no thread remains on the stud. Consider this can be the case in South Carolina, where this occurred.
I searched to see what exactly failed and thus came up http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...-out-causing-wheel-fall-off-when-driving.html
Looks like the shaft itself snapped.
Looks like the shaft itself snapped.
Wedgy
New member
It would be interesting to see what the axle failure rate for other similar vehicles is. Nineteen "incidents" in 24 years is hardly significant, and only 11 in 24 years if you narrow it to the 3rd gen. Or you could look at it as the majority(11 out of 19 = ~60%) happened in the 3rd gen vehicles.
absalom
New member
Would love to see pics of this alleged snapped rear axle. I could see an uninformed journalist labeling any sort of breakage of the rear drive-line as a "broken rear axle" -- whether it's poorly tightened lugs, improper lug/wheel matching, snapped half shaft.
Agree with above, I've literally never heard of this happening on these trucks.
Agree with above, I've literally never heard of this happening on these trucks.
BrianSD_42
New member
That is a very sad story. I'm guessing Toyota will appeal. Also Toyota has insurance for this type of thing.
octanejunkie
Elite Member
Very sad story and I'm sorry for the family's loss, I know I would be devastated if it were my daughter.
Two links in that story caught my attention
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-toyota-rust-settlement-20161113-story.html
https://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/toyo...dly-unintended-acceleration/story?id=22972214
The latter is the more nefarious of the two stories because it involves misrepresentation, cover-up and conspiracy by Toyota
If you've seen Fight Club you might be familiar with the scene on the airplane and "the formula" as it is explained to a passenger seated next to our hero "the narrator" played by Ed Norton
http://inaneexplained.blogspot.com/2011/03/fight-club-car-recall.html?m=1
Here's the more fun version
https://youtu.be/SiB8GVMNJkE
Regardless of whether Toyota appeals this ruling and award there are probably a thousand other suits looming out there, filed by people looking to be made whole for similar losses.
On a long enough timeline even rear axles are wear items, so when should we proactively replace ours to avoid such a loss?
Ps. Axel is in Guns and Roses, OP
Two links in that story caught my attention
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-toyota-rust-settlement-20161113-story.html
https://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/toyo...dly-unintended-acceleration/story?id=22972214
The latter is the more nefarious of the two stories because it involves misrepresentation, cover-up and conspiracy by Toyota
If you've seen Fight Club you might be familiar with the scene on the airplane and "the formula" as it is explained to a passenger seated next to our hero "the narrator" played by Ed Norton
http://inaneexplained.blogspot.com/2011/03/fight-club-car-recall.html?m=1
Here's the more fun version
https://youtu.be/SiB8GVMNJkE
Regardless of whether Toyota appeals this ruling and award there are probably a thousand other suits looming out there, filed by people looking to be made whole for similar losses.
On a long enough timeline even rear axles are wear items, so when should we proactively replace ours to avoid such a loss?
Ps. Axel is in Guns and Roses, OP
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Don't know how Toyota can be held accountable to this unless there was a design or manufacturing error which the article failed to mention. eg. wrong metallurgy, heat treating, etc... It is also a possibility that the vehicle may have been abused in the past, overloaded, or taken a hard impact. Our rigs are known for the infamous rear axle seal leak and I CRINGE whenever I see people in the instructional videos cutting off the retainer ring. It is the improper method of removal and you often see a nick being left in the axle which could lead to a stress fracture.
As much as I hate used car dealerships, unless they were the ones that did something to cause the axle to become compromised, it's unreasonable to hold them accountable. Imagine if you sold a used car with an unknown flaw due to an improper repair that a previous owner did...does that mean that you now hold accountability to that flaw? A used dealer should inspect their vehicles for major and obvious safety issues, but a nick in the axle for example, would be impossible to catch.
As much as I hate used car dealerships, unless they were the ones that did something to cause the axle to become compromised, it's unreasonable to hold them accountable. Imagine if you sold a used car with an unknown flaw due to an improper repair that a previous owner did...does that mean that you now hold accountability to that flaw? A used dealer should inspect their vehicles for major and obvious safety issues, but a nick in the axle for example, would be impossible to catch.
WVhillbilly
Member
13 year old vehicle, mileage, maintenance, usage (abuse?) unknown and it's the manufacturer's fault.
It's a horrible accident, but I don't see how you hold Toyota responsible.
If it was much newer I could understand it.
It's a horrible accident, but I don't see how you hold Toyota responsible.
If it was much newer I could understand it.
St Runner
Member
3,287 average traffic fatalities a day in the US. Obviously vehicles are much too dangerous and should be banned. Of course that is an over the top reaction, but there is no reasonable way of making a couple tons of metal moving 65 mph safe. I feel bad every time an innocent child dies through no fault of their own, but most of those traffic fatalities are not innocent. Pay attention when you drive! Take good care of your vehicle. Remember that every time you get behind the wheel it really is a life and death decision.
JohnOfTheJungle
Member
On a long enough timeline the survival rate for everyone drops to zero.
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2ndhandyotaman
Member
All of the "facts" in the story are just pure ignorance, nothing less. A metal shaft ( axle shaft in this instance) just doesn't fracture, then fail instantly. These people purchased a 13 year old vehicle ( at the time ) from a used car lot and somehow Toyota is liable ??? Sorry for their loss, but I simply don't see, and will never be convinced of Toyota's liability here. ( or any other manufacturer with a similar incidence unless there's a well documented pattern of such a failure)
The "related" story about how the axle shaft just fractured and broke in someones driveway- really?? It just broke clean in 2 all on it's own while it was just sitting there, parked in a driveway. Bullsh*t. Twice over.
The "related" story about how the axle shaft just fractured and broke in someones driveway- really?? It just broke clean in 2 all on it's own while it was just sitting there, parked in a driveway. Bullsh*t. Twice over.
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