VivekML350

Was driving around this morning and heard a strange noise coming from the passenger wheel. I stopped to take a look and try to see if anything was wrong with the tire, but didnt see anything. I got back in the car and started to drive and all of a sudden the passenger side gave out and I lost control of the car and ended up hitting a parked car. Go out and see that entire wheel was perpindicular to the frame of the car. After looking under the car, it looks like the axle had separated in the middle. im not sure if this is a result of hitting a pothole or something awhile back or something else. Anyway the car is obviously undrivable, with damage to the front body and the axle and wheel. luckily it was a Sunday morning and on a local street.

Has anyone had this type of issue or problem before?

PaulX608

Are you sure it's the axle that's seperated? It sounds a lot like the end of the tie rod came detached.

VivekML350

it could be. at first guess it was the axle, but will find out once its taken back to the dealer. any idea why it would seperate?

PaulX608

It depends on where it seperated. If it is indeed the tie rod, it could be the ball joint at the far end, or the adjusting sleeve. Ball joints can fail if not properly maintained, and the adjusting sleeves can be a problem if they're not tightened properly after an alignment. There are a lot of posibilities for damage, especially if you do any off road or bad road driving. Be sure to let us know what the dealer says, might be a weak point for us other W163 drivers to watch.

VivekML350

definately will. im sure it will be a day or two before anything happens.