Until the Wheels come off (literally)

[ben_atl]

Hi There,

I am long time 'lurker' in the forum.

My 1998 4Runner has 245k miles from which I did 145. Never gave me any trouble until a hick-up earlier this week. Wheel came off at 70 miles an hour, flipped sideways and stuck itself under the car letting me steer it to safety ... I am one lucky man with the world's most talented car. No body damage whatsoever. Getting it back from the shop today.

Thought this might be worth sharing. Thanks for checking.

 

[calikev]

WOW! Lucky isn't the word for this. If you aren't a "believer" this should make you one. That could have been a really ugly accident. Glad you're OK.

 

[downpour11]

...Replaced your ball joints lately? Lol

 

[NJshadow93]

What was the cause?

 

[downpour11]

I'm betting on ball joint failure

 

[ben_atl]

What was the cause?

Yes, shop said that Ball Joints have been worn out completely. Probably age combined with all the potholes all over Atlanta's roads. I'll have them replaced at the passenger side as well.

 

[Kmvreter]

Very lucky considering you were at speed.
As said, glad you're OK and it worked out.

 

[ben_atl]

Very lucky considering you were at speed.
As said, glad you're OK and it worked out.

Thanks! Yes I am very thankful that nothing happened. They told me the car could have easily flipped with the tire sliding under the body.

 

[GonOvr]

You should buy a powerball ticket.

 

[shootmymime]

downpour11 ...Replaced your ball joints lately? Lol

haha

 

[SUP3RJEFF]

Wow you're lucky!

 

[the great him]

you should probably post this over in the 3rd gen section... and not trying to talk down to you OP, but yeah if you had read a little more on here you would have found out that this is a fairly serious situation and its IMO all too common and easily avoidable. you i think are one of the luckiest ones so far... sometimes when these let go they can take out the fender and door and end up totally the truck.

 

[chmura]

Wow, glad you made it out safely.

If I were you I would buy OEM toyota ball joints and not go after market. If your Toyota ones lasted 245k miles then that should say something.

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

Lucky guy!! Glad you're okay!

Moved the thread to the 3rd gen T4R's section.

 

[SantaCruzRunner]

dang thats a close call! glad you and your truck are ok!!:cheers:

 

[the great him]

i think this is the first thread we have seen where this has happened at speed. most of the them that we have heard of have happened in parking lots or under 25mph in suburbia, not the freeway at 60+mph :lookout:

 

[SCRunner12]

Lucky guy!! Glad you're okay!

Moved the thread to the 3rd gen T4R's section.

When the F did you become a mod? Gone for months then reappear as a mod. Damn I enjoyed your rants from time to time. Now the COB ban hammer will be around full fury!

 

[downpour11]

When the F did you become a mod? Gone for months then reappear as a mod. Damn I enjoyed your rants from time to time. Now the COB ban hammer will be around full fury!

Hahahahaha!

 

[ICD]

Wow glad to hear your ok.

I am new to the 4runners and managed to find the buyers guide.

First few things we are doing to ourselves radiator, trans cooler, and ball joints.

 

[Notoyz]

whew Ben that was too close for comfort Let me add congrats that you made it out alive and with no real damage, pretty incredible.