Tread on my tire flew off! The damage is unbelievable! (Brake Line P#) - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

veg_hed_300d · #1 07-09-2007, 06:22 PM

So I was driving down I-15 to pick up my buddy in Vegas at the airport, cruising at 75 when all of a sudden the tread of my left rear tire flew off, severed my brake line, gouged a hole in my trunk about 2 inches wide and 18 inches long and got lodged in between the tire and the caliper all without losing any tire pressure.

It also broke this plastic thing that has a female ball fitting on each end and connects the brake assembly to some kind of metal bar (I also need this part #) as well as demolishing my power antenna. Luckily AAA was able to tow me back to the house.

What a bummer. The Benz has been running flawlessly since it's 2200 mile journey from Ohio to Utah via the Kentucky Derby in May.

toomany MBZ · #2 07-09-2007, 06:38 PM

Yikes, you've got some work in front of you, hope you can get some recompence from the tire manufacturer. Good to hear about as best of an outcome as can be expected. That plastic thing, sway bar link #123 320 09 89, not very expensive, easy install, normally. Will need to remove wheel to gain access. Might want to replace the pair. Order 'em when you get new brake line, #123 428 01 35, 12 inch male and female connections. Good luck.

dieseldan44 · #3 07-09-2007, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by veg_hed_300d

So I was driving down I-15 to pick up my buddy in Vegas at the airport, cruising at 75 when all of a sudden the tread of my left rear tire flew off, severed my brake line, gouged a hole in my trunk about 2 inches wide and 18 inches long and got lodged in between the tire and the caliper all without losing any tire pressure.

It also broke this plastic thing that has a female ball fitting on each end and connects the brake assembly to some kind of metal bar (I also need this part #) as well as demolishing my power antenna. Luckily AAA was able to tow me back to the house.

What a bummer. The Benz has been running flawlessly since it's 2200 mile journey from Ohio to Utah via the Kentucky Derby in May.

That's a major bummer. Im sorry to hear that. That could have ended much worse too. Any signs beforehand of this happening? Did you keep up with tire pressures?

The plastic thing you are referring to is a 'sway bar link' or 'z link'. Fairly cheap. Now would also be a great time to replace all of your brake hoses. I think your car has suggested it wants a brake fluid change :-)

The trunk repair shouldnt be that bad as long as the paint is ok.

dd

veg_hed_300d · #4 07-09-2007, 06:42 PM

Thanks...Is this my brake hose? # 1234280135....just want to make sure I'm ordering the correct one...

dwoloz · #5 07-09-2007, 06:43 PM

I couldn't get the sway bar plastic piece back into the ball joint and was simply told it wasn't supposed to ever come out. YMMV

toomany MBZ · #6 07-09-2007, 06:48 PM

Other folks are chiming in, dwoloz, the ball joints are part of the link.

pawoSD · #7 07-09-2007, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwoloz

I couldn't get the sway bar plastic piece back into the ball joint and was simply told it wasn't supposed to ever come out. YMMV

It has a threaded end with a nut....the ball isn't supposed to come out of the socket. The whole part is only like $13, just replace it.

I sure hope they towed your car on a flatbed.....if it was towed with the rear wheels on the ground then you have more problems ahead of you.

Sure hope it wasn't...

veg_hed_300d · #8 07-09-2007, 06:52 PM

yeah...it could have been a lot worse...

Since I popped my spare on a gravel road two weeks prior to this I aired up the tires and checked them out prior to the trip. The tires all have tread and looked fine but this one was a miss matched firestone that was on the car when I bought it. The only clue that something was up was about 15 seconds before the tread flew off. I started to hear a "whomp" sound then a terrible vibration. When I pulled over that's when I noticed the brakes. I almost had to push them to the floor to stop. I limped down to the next off ramp, assessed the damage and called AAA. So when I get the benz back on the road it's going to be with all new tread.

I really need to post a pic of the hole in the trunk. Crazy.

veg_hed_300d · #9 07-09-2007, 06:53 PM

yeah...it was towed on a flatbed...

justinperkins · #10 07-09-2007, 06:56 PM

A title like that, and no pictures?? You =

Sorry about the damage, but it sounds like things could have been a lot uglier. Look on the bright side

veg_hed_300d · #11 07-09-2007, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justinperkins

A title like that, and no pictures?? You =

Sorry about the damage, but it sounds like things could have been a lot uglier. Look on the bright side

Sorry the digital camera stopped working after I took it caving...but soon...

Larry Delor · #12 07-09-2007, 10:11 PM

The ghost of the Firestone 500 strikes again!

Glad to hear you remained unharmed!

t walgamuth · #13 07-10-2007, 02:46 AM

I am guessing this was a tire with good tread which was older.

When they are over about five years old they arent safe on the highway even if they have excellent tread.

I have always had excellent luck with michelins.... I have tried other brands but always come back to them.

Tom W

pawoSD · #14 07-10-2007, 02:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

I am guessing this was a tire with good tread which was older.

When they are over about five years old they arent safe on the highway even if they have excellent tread.

I have always had excellent luck with michelins.... I have tried other brands but always come back to them.

Tom W

I agree...I tried out some expensive Goodyear TripleTred tires....they worked great for about 15k or so.....then a vibration developed....then by 20k it was unbearable......got rid of them under warranty....now I've had a set of Michelin Destiny tires on as the replacement....and they're great...nearing 20k...no vibration and the tread is barely worn..and I drive them hard!

The goodyear tires also had only about 40% of the tread left....and they were rated for 80k!

Ara T. · #15 07-10-2007, 03:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

I agree...I tried out some expensive Goodyear TripleTred tires....they worked great for about 15k or so.....then a vibration developed....then by 20k it was unbearable......got rid of them under warranty....now I've had a set of Michelin Destiny tires on as the replacement....and they're great...nearing 20k...no vibration and the tread is barely worn..and I drive them hard!

The goodyear tires also had only about 40% of the tread left....and they were rated for 80k!

What speed rating are Michelin Destinies? I had some S-rated Michelins that were warranted for 80K miles. I dusted them off in 20K! Drove them pretty hard though. Had them really howling sometimes. Now have H-rated Michelin MXV4s and i think they'll last longer since the sidewall doesn't flop over on me anymore. The difference is night and day, no squeeling and much less body roll.