Axle Separated From Truck Picture

[timlisajax]

Friend of mine texted me this picture the other night and he had no other information. Am very curious as to what would cause this disaster. From the picture you can see the driveshaft on the road and it looks like it happened on a two lane highway. My thought is that the pin weight exceeded payload - but by the 8 lug wheels, looks like its a 3500 truck. Any thoughts?

[WhittleBurner]

Friend of mine texted me this picture the other night and he had no other information. Am very curious as to what would cause this disaster. From the picture you can see the driveshaft on the road and it looks like it happened on a two lane highway. My thought is that the pin weight exceeded payload - but by the 8 lug wheels, looks like its a 3500 truck. Any thoughts?

Springs didn't break, you can see it still up and level with the truck. That means the u-bolts had to break. My first thought is that they had some suspension work done and reused the u-bolts. There is a reason why they say to never reuse the u-bolts. When they are torqued down the threads will stretch keeping them from coming loose. If you reuse them they can either come loose or break.

[Hoopy Frood]

Looks like something broke. It's all speculation and useless as you'll never know what happened. Heck, he could have hit something in the
middle of the road. Who knows.

[timlisajax]

Springs didn't break, you can see it still up and level with the truck. That means the u-bolts had to break. My first thought is that they had some suspension work done and reused the u-bolts. There is a reason why they say to never reuse the u-bolts. When they are torqued down the threads will stretch keeping them from coming loose. If you reuse them they can either come loose or break.

Thanks Gary. Never knew about the dynamics of U-bolts Learn something new everyday.

[Hoopy Frood]

You should never reuse any bolt that has been torqued.

That's a bit extreme. Depends on whether the bolt has been torqued to yield.

[WhittleBurner]

If that truck was a f350 it may be one that is being recalled by Ford for their axles coming loose.

[NB Canada]

If that truck was a f350 it may be one that is being recalled by Ford for their axles coming loose.

Chevrolet


2021 Imagine 2400 BH
2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew

[That 1 Ron]

Springs didn't break, you can see it still up and level with the truck. That means the u-bolts had to break. My first thought is that they had some suspension work done and reused the u-bolts. There is a reason why they say to never reuse the u-bolts. When they are torqued down the threads will stretch keeping them from coming loose. If you reuse them they can either come loose or break.

Looking at the picture, I also think this is probably what happened. That or using subpar china u-bolts. I’ve seen those break a few times as well.

[Dan Lockwood]

'21 Ford F-350 SRW axle housing collapsing under the weight of the truck and cracking perch welds and u-bolts then loosen up. Don't remember the duration build dates for the recall.

I guess lug bolts should then be replaced each time you remove the wheels.

Like Howard said, TTY bolts are usually specified in their requirements. I would not just arbitrarily replace every bolt I remove, depends on application and the risk factor of where that particular bolt might be used. I totally understand u-bolts, although in the many years of working on all sorts of trailers, cars, trucks and what not, I've never had a failure of a reused u-bolt. But on the my F-350, I would buy new u-bolts or on my RV, same thing. 👍

[RichInFla]

Friend of mine texted me this picture the other night and he had no other information. Am very curious as to what would cause this disaster. From the picture you can see the driveshaft on the road and it looks like it happened on a two lane highway. My thought is that the pin weight exceeded payload - but by the 8 lug wheels, looks like its a 3500 truck. Any thoughts?

Looks like the rear brakes stopped the truck and the trailer pushed the truck over the rear axle of the truck. Could be RV brakes not set, or failed, or trailer brake controller failed, or tow vehicle brake controller not set, set incorrectly, or failed which then caused a failure with the rear axle attachment to the truck frame.