1998 Toyota Tacoma Wheels Problems

While driving on the highway at 60-65 mph, you heard a popping sound and your vehicle started pulling strongly to the right whenever you released the steering wheel or braked. After tire balancing didn't fix the problem, a mechanic discovered one of your front tires had an internal belt separation—a defect inside the tire itself that caused the pulling. The tire has been sent to Michelin for warranty processing.

DRIVER WAS ALONE TRAVELING WESTBOUND ON I-64. WHILE TRAVELING AT THE POSTED HIGHWAY SPEED (65), AFTER COMING OVER THE CREST AT MILE MARKER 242. THE DRIVER NOTED A LOUD SNAPPING SOUND. DRIVER THEN NOTED WITH PERIPHERAL VISION THAT THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL HAD BEEN EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE. DRIVER'S IMMEDIATE REACTION WAS TO REMOVE FOOT FROM ACCELERATOR AND TO CONTINUE MAINTAINING CONTROL. THAT IS CONTINUE IN A STRAIGHT PATH WITH BOTH HANDS ON THE STEERING WHEEL TO PREVENT AN OVER CORRECTION SCENARIO. DRIVER TRIED TO APPLY PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES TO GRADUALLY SLOW DOWN. HOWEVER, AFTER APPLYING PRESSURE THE DRIVER REALIZED THAT HE HAD NO BRAKES. DRIVER CONTINUED WITH THE CONTROLLED CRASH AND ALLOWED THE TRUCK TO DRIFT TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER WHERE THE TRUCK EVENTUALLY CAME TO A STOP. RIGHT FRONT SPINDLE SNAPPED. SINCE ROTOR AND BRAKES EJECTED WITH THE WHEEL DRIVER HAD NO BRAKES. WITNESS AVAILABLE IN RED JEEP (LICENSE # AVAILABLE). MORE DETAILS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. DT

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE RIGHT WHEEL CAME OFF. BUT, BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE STILL ATTACHED. *AK

POOR DESIGN OF MUD FLAPS DO NOT PROVIDE ENOUGH COVERAGE CAUSING PAINT TO CHIP AROUND REAR FRAME OF VEHICLE DUE TO ROAD SALTS.