Disastrous hub failure.

[seegs101]

Has anyone heard about this happening with any BMW's?
The hub failed at 75 mph, the front left wheel fell off and the 1997 525tds hit the concrete median and rolled 2 and 1/2 times.
fortunately no injuries.
I've heard of hub troubles on BMW's but this is much more worrisome.

[pDubs]

Wut?

First question would be if the lug nuts were properly torqued. How exactly did the hub fail?

[ak5]

Wut?

First question would be if the lug nuts were properly torqued. How exactly did the hub fail?
A bad wheel bearing could do it. But rare.

[pDubs]

It could have been several different things. Doesn't mean it should be lumped into another BMW problem and "worrisome" for BMWs.

[E39obsessed]

Hubs on our cars fail and you can hear them making noise if the car is moving. A hub separating is a different story, never heard of that happening. I would like to know what the wheel had attached to it after it was retrieved?

[slocar]

Op, are you trolling us? How did you get a 525tds in CO anyway?

[z3papa]

op, are you trolling us? How did you get a 525tds in co anyway?
lol

[seegs101]

failed for unknown reasons. could use an investigation. not sure why BMW customer service will not respond to my emails. I guess i have to use the phone and call them.

[seegs101]

I would have to drive out to the lot in Kansas where it sits to take a look. I'm surprised BMW does not want to take a look also.

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Very Rare.

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I would think BMW would want to take a look at it.

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I need to go to the lot where it sits in Kansas to take a look.

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bought it on ebay.

[ak5]

You want bmw to look at your crashed 1997 bmw? Good luck

[seegs101]

yeah, it doesn't look good.

how do you post a photo here?

[ross1]

Has anyone heard about this happening with any BMW's?
The hub failed at 75 mph, the front left wheel fell off and the 1997 525tds hit the concrete median and rolled 2 and 1/2 times.
fortunately no injuries.
I've heard of hub troubles on BMW's but this is much more worrisome.

So your 17 year old car, bought ostensibly sight unseen and not inspected has broken. Please tell us about those hub troubles. Sounds like a manufacturer's defect, you ought to lawyer up. BMW will probably pay for a new home and college for your kids just to keep this under wraps.

[seegs101]

Hey you read my mind.
Actually I was worried it may have happened before. I may need to post on a Canadian BMW site to find out..

fyi, the guy i bought it from is the guy who rolled it. He says it was the ride of his life.

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http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=521670&stc=1

This is why i call it worrisome.

[Critter7r]

Without some insight into the repair history and previous condition of the vehicle, I'm going to file this under, "shit happens" for now.

You call it "worrisome" because the vehicle rolled 2 1/2 times with nary a dent in the passenger cell? I call that an epic win.

[seegs101]

Yes, amazing that the drivers was not hurt, just a few days of soreness. That is a huge win.

[ak5]

You do realize that this will get 0 traction with bmw. Right?



0.. as in zero. As in hope you had insurance...

[Critter7r]

aaaaaaannnnndddd again, this is why people hate internet forums.

The OP bought the car this way, his insurance isn't going to do shit for him.

While it may seem odd to buy a wrecked vehicle, rest assured it happens every day.

I'm as confused as anyone why the OP purchased a wrecked vehicle and then proceeded to contact BMW about this "worrisome problem". But the OP is being cordial and just asking questions, we don't have to be asshats to him just because we don't understand his motivations.

OP: If you're still in contact with the previous owner, ask him if there was any clunking in the front end before the accident. I'd suspect a worn out ball joint failure before any type of hub failure.

[MeNoo]

On a somewhat serious note, I've seen it happen to some VW (over-torqued lugs), it went 90 degrees into a curb, then the driver got out. He continued to run away and we thought he was ditching the car, but he was chasing down one of his wheels. Although he was going 40 mph, I think it was totaled, because it landed the frame on the curb.

[seegs101]

I will ask the previous owner about clunking noises. Oh, what is an OP, i'm a newbee?

Insurance will cover the wreck.

[seegs101]

yes, i have had no response from BMW. Maybe i'm naive but as a manufacturer of fine automobiles i would think they would want to know why failures happen, yes shit happens but doesn't bmw have engineers that are interested in failures of their cars to help build a better, safer car?

Insurance is paying for the loss.

[seegs101]

over-torqued lugs may be a possible cause. thanks

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http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=522747&stc=1
it was a nice car. sorry to see it end up in a junkyard. I was looking forward to getting 36 mpg with a big luxury wagon and driving a 5 speed stick again. :-(

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I will call the junkyard in Kansas to get a good photo of what was attached to the hub.

[steveo539]

OP=original poster........as in the guy that starts the thread.