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Old 11-17-2017, 11:02 PM   #1
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So......this is how it started

2 weeks ago, I had my local Ford dealer replace a tire that had a screw in the sidewall.

We leave home (Florida) drive to southern Tennessee, and I gotta p. I pull into the rest stop, and as I'm slowing down, I hear the 'tinkle, tinkle' of something making noise as I slow down.

I go p....then walk around the rv and spy the wheel liner hanging loose. 3 lug nuts are loose. Tried to tighten, and all 3 lugs spin. Sheared. Dang.

Called Ford roadside assistance. Very helpful....except no one knows how to tow a Transit rear wheels up.

Found one guy. Will find out tomorrow if he's the right guy. Meanwhile, many calls to Ford...this is not an easy fix. And they don't work weekends.

So....trip home for Turkey day delayed.

Word to the wise.....make sure your tire and wheel guy doesn't over torque the lug nuts. If I hadn't needed to p, we'd be on the news.

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Old 11-17-2017, 11:19 PM   #2
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It's a good thing that your bladder needed some attention...
I'd expect that the numb-nuts who did this to your rig, will be forced to pay the repair bill...

After you shove the busted pieces in a place where they won't get wet during a hard rain!
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Old 11-17-2017, 11:24 PM   #3
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Tomorrow we get to start the song and dance with Ford. It will be interesting when we get to the part about who pays.
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Old 11-17-2017, 11:34 PM   #4
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Good luck; please let us know how it works out!
(Can you carry a hatchet into the meeting with you? )
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Old 11-18-2017, 12:43 AM   #5
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You were very lucky, thankfully!!!
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Old 11-18-2017, 01:49 AM   #6
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Wow, glad everyone is okay! I hope all goes well with the repairs and the “who pays” thing!
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Old 11-18-2017, 02:19 AM   #7
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When you talk to Ford, be sure to emphasize that they worked on your vehicle and returned it to you in an 'unsafe to drive' condition. Had luck and timing been different the possible outcome could have been catastrophic for you, and financially catastrophic for them! Willing to bet they will quietly cover the repairs for you.
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Old 11-18-2017, 05:27 AM   #8
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Double Yikes! That is horrible to let you go with a vehicle in unsafe condition. Glad you caught it and safe.
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Old 11-18-2017, 06:20 AM   #9
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"Local Ford Dealer" is a good thing for Ford covering the costs but likely a real tire shop would have done it right....but then harder to get Ford to cover costs if thing go sideways. Hmmm
Regardless, glad you caught it and it goes to remind me a regular stop and walk around is a good idea.
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Old 11-18-2017, 02:07 PM   #10
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I have been around tires a few years now. I can honestly say that I have always thought that especially with today's construction tires, damage of any kind to the sidewalls should not be repaired. Replace it only. Your story of putting a patch on the sidewall is surprising and your following problems make me say that I think I'm still correct. Sorry about your incident. A reputable RV service center is worth the money you pay for.
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Old 11-18-2017, 02:15 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jnjrappe View Post
2 weeks ago, I had my local Ford dealer replace a tire that had a screw in the sidewall.

We leave home (Florida) drive to southern Tennessee, and I gotta p. I pull into the rest stop, and as I'm slowing down, I hear the 'tinkle, tinkle' of something making noise as I slow down.

I go p....then walk around the rv and spy the wheel liner hanging loose. 3 lug nuts are loose. Tried to tighten, and all 3 lugs spin. Sheared. Dang.

Called Ford roadside assistance. Very helpful....except no one knows how to tow a Transit rear wheels up.

Found one guy. Will find out tomorrow if he's the right guy. Meanwhile, many calls to Ford...this is not an easy fix. And they don't work weekends.

So....trip home for Turkey day delayed.

Word to the wise.....make sure your tire and wheel guy doesn't over torque the lug nuts. If I hadn't needed to p, we'd be on the news.
Quote:
Originally Posted by axis earl View Post
I have been around tires a few years now. I can honestly say that I have always thought that especially with today's construction tires, damage of any kind to the sidewalls should not be repaired. Replace it only. Your story of putting a patch on the sidewall is surprising and your following problems make me say that I think I'm still correct. Sorry about your incident. A reputable RV service center is worth the money you pay for.
I didn't see any story about patching a sidewall. Patches should never be used from the shoulder over, on any tire.
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Old 11-18-2017, 02:45 PM   #12
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"3 lug nuts are loose. Tried to tighten, and all 3 lugs spin. Sheared."

So, are the studs sheared or are the threads stripped? That's one-heck-of-a-rattle-gun if it sheared the studs. :O
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Old 11-18-2017, 03:42 PM   #13
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Well, color me stupid. Ford was fantastic. Towed us in and found only 1 lug loose. And just barely.

Turns out it was only the wheel liner stems that were striped. Since I couldn't get them off, I couldn't see underneath.

Lesson learned.....know your vehicle. Wasted a day and a tow. But now I know.

Thanks for all the support and suggestions.
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Old 11-18-2017, 04:07 PM   #14
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We would have probably done the same thing you did about having it towed in to be checked out. Better to be safe than have regrets later.

Sorry your trip was messed up by this but now you can enjoy your Thanksgiving.
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Old 11-18-2017, 04:11 PM   #15
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Originally Posted by jnjrappe View Post
Well, color me stupid. Ford was fantastic. Towed us in and found only 1 lug loose. And just barely.

Turns out it was only the wheel liner stems that were striped. Since I couldn't get them off, I couldn't see underneath.

Lesson learned.....know your vehicle. Wasted a day and a tow. But now I know.

Thanks for all the support and suggestions.
Wheel liner? Are we talking about a hub cap? To me a wheel liner is the plastic inside the wheel well.
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Old 11-18-2017, 04:20 PM   #16
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What's a wheel liner stem? Chrome hub cap bolt looking things are just fake. I don't understand the wheel liner stem thing. Confused.
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Old 11-18-2017, 05:16 PM   #17
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Better safe than sorry. Glad it turned out as well as it did for you.
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Old 11-18-2017, 06:45 PM   #18
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Glad to hear that this turned out WAYYYY... better than anyone could have imagined!
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Old 11-18-2017, 07:17 PM   #19
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The wheel liner is held on by 2threaded stemsthat attach to the stud bolts. They were loose. But I couldn't get them off, not the liner. I assumed incorrectly that the wheel stubs were loose.
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Old 11-19-2017, 04:14 PM   #20
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and the hits keep coming.......

after getting the news that my wheels weren't coming off, we head for our son's house.

Along the way, we run into this winter storm streaking across the Midwest....the one I had planned on missing until we wasted a day finding out nothing was wrong.

Slowed down because of the cross wind, but took a big gust the SUCKED THE EMERGENCY WINDOW right out of the RV.

It did hit a truck, but fortunately, no one was hurt. Drove the rest of the way with DW holding other window in. Still blowing and still raining.

Isn't RVing just the greatest??????

Now our new 23TR has the designer black garbage bag / duct tape decor. Will start working on that after the insurance call.

Can't wait for the drive home.
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