Spindle nut missing

Tiny
SBAUER
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 FORD E-SERIES VAN
  • V10
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 155,000 MILES
Heard a pop-like noise while turning around with wheel fully turned. Shortly after that, the front passenger wheel basically was wobbling on the hub and I lost brake pressure. Lucky that I was going slow! So, I had it towed to the shop that did my brakes. They said that the spindle nut and lock were missing? They did the front brake work about 6-8 months ago. Is there any way that I was driving for that long without the spindle nut on?
Tuesday, March 10th, 2020 AT 11:24 AM

10 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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Good afternoon,

No, it is not possible. If there was no nut, it would have failed within miles.

Did they show you the failure?

Roy
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Tuesday, March 10th, 2020 AT 1:49 PM
Tiny
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Thanks for the reply!

Crazy! I figured the same. They did the front brakes 6-8 months ago, but just did the rear brakes about a week ago. They didn't show me the failure, but said that the nut and lock were not even in there when they took the cap off? It would have had to have been removed while I was in Harbor Freight for like 15 minutes? I'm perplexed?
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Tuesday, March 10th, 2020 AT 2:15 PM
Tiny
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When they removed the cap, they said it was not there? That does not make any sense at all. I think they are lying.

My guess is that they did not put in the cotter pin to keep it from loosening up. Over time, it came loose and the nut and washer came off inside the cap. They just did not tell you that.

That is my opinion and will be very hard to prove since so much time has passed.

Roy
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Tuesday, March 10th, 2020 AT 2:30 PM
Tiny
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I know, but I feel like I should at least bring it up with them. I hate to pay $800.00 plus for a mistake that they probably made! Could this even be done with the tire still on?
Thanks!
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Tuesday, March 10th, 2020 AT 2:52 PM
Tiny
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What do they have to do?

What was the damage?

Roy
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Tuesday, March 10th, 2020 AT 3:08 PM
Tiny
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I don't recall everything they said, but I'm going to pick it up soon. I know they had to replace the pair of calipers.
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Tuesday, March 10th, 2020 AT 3:28 PM
Tiny
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I think she quoted me around $830.00 for everything.
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Tuesday, March 10th, 2020 AT 3:29 PM
Tiny
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Okay, if you can, can you upload the invoice so I can see it?

Roy
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Tuesday, March 10th, 2020 AT 3:42 PM
Tiny
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They ended up taking $283.00 off the to $883.00. I probably should have held them more accountable, since nothing else makes sense, but I wasn't there when they popped the cap off. The nut was probably in there! Hmm.
Thanks for your help!
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Wednesday, March 11th, 2020 AT 11:26 AM
Tiny
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You are welcome.

Always glad to help.

Roy
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Wednesday, March 11th, 2020 AT 1:53 PM

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