This is what happens when your front wheel falls off - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Ol' Drippy · 10-01-2014, 11:10 AM

Some of you may recognize my 78 Suburban from a thread a couple of years back
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1978+suburban
I bought the truck from BMERDOC and since then have rebuilt the suspension, brakes and exhaust, lowered it and enjoyed driving around while drinking copious amounts of gas from the 40 gallon tank. Well I got the bright idea to put some Boss 338 wheels on it and that is when things went bad. Something happened with the lug nuts, I am still not sure how it happened but my driver's front wheel fell off while driving at about 30 mph. The truck then rolled over the wheel and did a nice face plant on the asphalt. Luckily nobody was hurt and I didn't hit anything. The wheel was destroyed, the fender is toast and the cab actually bent up. The A pillar is bent and there is a crease in the roof, the front windshield popped out a little (but didn't break) and the rocker is crunched. The front door still opens and closes but it is bent up too. I was actually able to jack up the truck, put a new wheel on and drive it home but it doesn't look pretty. Do you guys think this is fixable? Is it worth fixing? Anybody know any good body shops in the VA MD DC area?

johnnyclack · 10-01-2014, 01:20 PM

Yes it can be fixed. You did not say if the floor pan is bent ?

Body shop is going to hit you with sticker shock, if you have deep pockets OR insurance coverage thats your best bet.

If you decide DIY I would post on the body shop to see where to start and what tools you might need.

One option would be to talk with a Body shop who has a frame straightener, ask if you remove/replace the sheet metal how much would it cost for them to straighten body ?

2nd option would be to purchase a porta-power and a come along and tackle it yourself

**old Rusty C10** · 10-01-2014, 02:18 PM

it can be pulled with a frame straightener but it is going to be pretty expensive.. The hardest part may be getting the wood grain

KQQL IT · 10-01-2014, 02:27 PM

Any vinyl shop could copy the wood grain. That's the easy part.
Good luck with the fix.

Just call me Sean · 10-01-2014, 02:55 PM

That sucks. Happened to me with my F150 at 60mph, but it only messed up the rotor and shield.

whiskeydented · 10-01-2014, 06:25 PM

Damn that truck looked pretty clean. If you part it I'll take the hood. Too soon?

Tuff 1986 · 10-02-2014, 02:49 AM

Real nice burb.. I wonder what could have caused the lug nuts too come off..

Ol' Drippy · 10-02-2014, 07:39 AM

I don't think the floor pan was affected, also the frame is fine. I didn't have collision insurance on it unfortunately when it happened. I was thinking I could get a new fender and door, and have a body shop straighten it out and maybe just hit it with some primer. Anybody have any idea what the body shop might charge me?

**lolife99** · 10-02-2014, 09:33 AM

My guess is your Boss 338 wheel wasn't fully seated against the brake rotor due to the notorious rotor hub fitment issue with these wheels.
Did you grind the "nose" of the rotor hub prior to installing your Boss wheels?

UKNOWME · 10-02-2014, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lolife99

My guess is your Boss 338 wheel wasn't fully seated against the brake rotor due to the notorious rotor hub fitment issue with these wheels.
Did you grind the "nose" of the rotor hub prior to installing your Boss wheels?

Good call. I bet that's exactly what happened.

Ol' Drippy · 10-02-2014, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lolife99

My guess is your Boss 338 wheel wasn't fully seated against the brake rotor due to the notorious rotor hub fitment issue with these wheels.
Did you grind the "nose" of the rotor hub prior to installing your Boss wheels?

That might be it, my wheels are the newer design in which I thought they had that issue resolved but maybe not. I will have to take a closer look although I think I will be sticking with 15's in the future.

**lolife99** · 10-02-2014, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ol' Drippy

That might be it, my wheels are the newer design in which I thought they had that issue resolved but maybe not. I will have to take a closer look although I think I will be sticking with 15's in the future.

Boss Wheels didn't fix ANYTHING with the new design.
That's what's so stupid about that company.
They had a goldmine with these wheels, but refused to make it right for the C10 owners that wanted their 338 wheels.
They were originally designed for the 88-98 trucks, not the 60-87 C10's.

They can still be made to work with a grinder and a flap disc and about 10 minutes of your time.

86swb · 10-02-2014, 03:00 PM

Oh man, bummer. Hope you can get it back in shape. You would think the installer would have noticed something. Anyway, good luck.

Jonboy · 10-02-2014, 03:06 PM

That's a bummer; I always liked that truck. Now it has "character". It doesn't look like anything is structurally damaged, it just needs a fender. I think you might be able to grab on to that one with a clamp and pull it out somewhat to get the door open and the truck usable, but it wouldn't be worth fixing in my opinion.

Edit: I guess I didn't look at enough pictures. I guess it depends on how much you are in love with the truck. Personally, I probably wouldn't fix it, and I have access to a good body shop.

y5mgisi · 10-03-2014, 08:41 PM

It can surely be fixed!

Ol' Drippy · 10-06-2014, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 86swb

Oh man, bummer. Hope you can get it back in shape. You would think the installer would have noticed something. Anyway, good luck.

The installer was me and everything went together fine, they seemed to fit okay when I put them on. I guess the next step is to hit up some local body shops and get some estimates.

SourTooth307 · 10-06-2014, 12:11 PM

That sucks man, I hope you can get it going again. The wheels you have on there look pretty good, a set of the chrome rings would make them look really nice.

Ol' Drippy · 05-28-2015, 03:41 PM

The 'Burb rides again! After 4 months in the body shop, it is more or less in one piece. There is still a little crease in the roof and I need a new door but it sure is nice to be able to drive it again. Fortunately I was able to find a body shop to straighten it out for a reasonable price, it just took a while.

68Timber · 05-28-2015, 04:03 PM

Nice save, congrats.

y5mgisi · 05-28-2015, 04:26 PM

Very happy you got it fixed!

10-01-2014, 11:10 AM	#1
Ol' Drippy Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Falls Church Va Posts: 77	This is what happens when your front wheel falls off Some of you may recognize my 78 Suburban from a thread a couple of years back http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1978+suburban I bought the truck from BMERDOC and since then have rebuilt the suspension, brakes and exhaust, lowered it and enjoyed driving around while drinking copious amounts of gas from the 40 gallon tank. Well I got the bright idea to put some Boss 338 wheels on it and that is when things went bad. Something happened with the lug nuts, I am still not sure how it happened but my driver's front wheel fell off while driving at about 30 mph. The truck then rolled over the wheel and did a nice face plant on the asphalt. Luckily nobody was hurt and I didn't hit anything. The wheel was destroyed, the fender is toast and the cab actually bent up. The A pillar is bent and there is a crease in the roof, the front windshield popped out a little (but didn't break) and the rocker is crunched. The front door still opens and closes but it is bent up too. I was actually able to jack up the truck, put a new wheel on and drive it home but it doesn't look pretty. Do you guys think this is fixable? Is it worth fixing? Anybody know any good body shops in the VA MD DC area?

10-01-2014, 01:20 PM	#2
johnnyclack Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: On the banks of the Clackamas River, Eagle CreeK Oregon Posts: 387	Re: This is what happens when your front wheel falls off Yes it can be fixed. You did not say if the floor pan is bent ? Body shop is going to hit you with sticker shock, if you have deep pockets OR insurance coverage thats your best bet. If you decide DIY I would post on the body shop to see where to start and what tools you might need. One option would be to talk with a Body shop who has a frame straightener, ask if you remove/replace the sheet metal how much would it cost for them to straighten body ? 2nd option would be to purchase a porta-power and a come along and tackle it yourself

10-01-2014, 02:18 PM	#3
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,301	Re: This is what happens when your front wheel falls off it can be pulled with a frame straightener but it is going to be pretty expensive.. The hardest part may be getting the wood grain __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!!

10-01-2014, 02:27 PM	#4
KQQL IT At the body shop. Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Land of fruits and nuts. Posts: 5,237	Re: This is what happens when your front wheel falls off Any vinyl shop could copy the wood grain. That's the easy part. Good luck with the fix. __________________ " That didnt make it any newer " " Dont antique the equipment "

10-01-2014, 06:25 PM	#6
whiskeydented Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: connecticut Posts: 261	Re: This is what happens when your front wheel falls off Damn that truck looked pretty clean. If you part it I'll take the hood. Too soon?

10-02-2014, 02:49 AM	#7
Tuff 1986 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Bakersfield Ca. Posts: 78	Re: This is what happens when your front wheel falls off Real nice burb.. I wonder what could have caused the lug nuts too come off.. __________________ Will I ever finish my 1986 stepper..

10-02-2014, 07:39 AM	#8
Ol' Drippy Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Falls Church Va Posts: 77	Re: This is what happens when your front wheel falls off I don't think the floor pan was affected, also the frame is fine. I didn't have collision insurance on it unfortunately when it happened. I was thinking I could get a new fender and door, and have a body shop straighten it out and maybe just hit it with some primer. Anybody have any idea what the body shop might charge me?

10-02-2014, 09:33 AM	#9
lolife99 67-72 parts collector,… Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Mid-MO Posts: 22,699	Re: This is what happens when your front wheel falls off My guess is your Boss 338 wheel wasn't fully seated against the brake rotor due to the notorious rotor hub fitment issue with these wheels. Did you grind the "nose" of the rotor hub prior to installing your Boss wheels? Attached Images __________________ Keith Convert to disc brakes. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823

10-02-2014, 03:00 PM	#13
86swb Born a Chevy Man Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Navarre, Florida Posts: 10,221	Re: This is what happens when your front wheel falls off Oh man, bummer. Hope you can get it back in shape. You would think the installer would have noticed something. Anyway, good luck. __________________ John or 86 (Viet Nam combat Vet-BIG RED ONE) '65-'66 1986 Chevy SWB Silverado 1984 Chevy Longbed Silverado New Kia Sportage (Wife's car and she loves it) CHEVY, American made w/pride! If you can read this, YOU NEED TO THANK A TEACHER! If you can read this in ENGLISH, PLEASE THANK A SOLDIER! GOD BLESS AMERICA AND BLESS OUR FIGHTING TROOPS

10-02-2014, 03:06 PM	#14
Jonboy Slots go on anything! Join Date: May 2003 Location: Richardson, TX Posts: 5,957	Re: This is what happens when your front wheel falls off That's a bummer; I always liked that truck. Now it has "character". It doesn't look like anything is structurally damaged, it just needs a fender. I think you might be able to grab on to that one with a clamp and pull it out somewhat to get the door open and the truck usable, but it wouldn't be worth fixing in my opinion. Edit: I guess I didn't look at enough pictures. I guess it depends on how much you are in love with the truck. Personally, I probably wouldn't fix it, and I have access to a good body shop. __________________ 1974 Jimmy- 5.3/4L80e/NP241

10-03-2014, 08:41 PM	#15
y5mgisi Second Chance Program Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 2,642	Re: This is what happens when your front wheel falls off It can surely be fixed! __________________ 90 Chevy Suburban 2500 5.3 swap/th400/np241/14bltSF/10blt. 77 C20 crew cab Silverado. 396/th400. In work.

10-06-2014, 12:11 PM	#17
SourTooth307 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Lodi, NJ Posts: 166	Re: This is what happens when your front wheel falls off That sucks man, I hope you can get it going again. The wheels you have on there look pretty good, a set of the chrome rings would make them look really nice. __________________ My Wheels: 1984 Chevrolet K/10 Scottsdale 350cid SOLD 1989 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham d'Elegance 307cid 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT Texas Edition 5.3L 4x4

05-28-2015, 03:41 PM	#18
Ol' Drippy Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Falls Church Va Posts: 77	Re: This is what happens when your front wheel falls off The 'Burb rides again! After 4 months in the body shop, it is more or less in one piece. There is still a little crease in the roof and I need a new door but it sure is nice to be able to drive it again. Fortunately I was able to find a body shop to straighten it out for a reasonable price, it just took a while.

05-28-2015, 04:03 PM	#19
68Timber I know the pieces fit Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: MONTGOMERY, AL Posts: 5,523	Re: This is what happens when your front wheel falls off Nice save, congrats. __________________ John 79 2wd Blazer (Bruiser) 85 M1009 Blazer (Sarge) build 74 Honda Z50 build

05-28-2015, 04:26 PM	#20
y5mgisi Second Chance Program Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 2,642	Re: This is what happens when your front wheel falls off Very happy you got it fixed! __________________ 90 Chevy Suburban 2500 5.3 swap/th400/np241/14bltSF/10blt. 77 C20 crew cab Silverado. 396/th400. In work.



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