NHTSA Complaint #709113 — 1996 DODGE RAM

THE VEHICLE HAD JUST BEEN REPAIRED BY SANDUSKY CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP, SANDUSKY, OH, FOR THE PREVIOUS AXLE FAILURE. TRAVELING EAST ON THE OHIO TURNPIKE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SLOWED, LIKE SOMEONE JUST JAMMED-ON MY BRAKES. WITHIN A MINUTE, THERE WERE TWO VERY LOUD SCREETCHES. MY WIFE, TRAVELING IN A RENTAL VEHICLE BEHIND ME, EVEN HEAR THE SCREETCHES. GIVEN OUR PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE, I IMMEDIATELY STOPPED AT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WHILE TRYING TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED, WE WERE INFORMED BY CONSTRUCTION CREWS THAT WE COULD NOT STAY, THERE, ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. THEY DIRECTED US A COUPLE MILES UP THE ROAD, TO THE NEXT EXIT. ONCE OFF THE HIGHWAY, WE STOPPED TO FIND THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL STICKING OUT FROM THE FENDER BY A COUPLE INCHES. ON CLOSER INSPECTION, THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM BETWEEN THE WHEEL AND THE BACKING PLATE. THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY WAS STARTING TO SEPARATE FROM THE AXLE HOUSING, AGAIN. WE CALLED FOR A TOW TRUCK, TO RETURN THE VEHICLE TO THE REPAIRING DEALERSHIP. UPON THEIR INSPECTION, THE WHEEL BEARINGS WERE AGAIN BURNED. AND, YES, THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY AND AXLE SHAFT WERE LEAVING THE VEHICLE.