DIY Maintenance

I believe in the division of labor, I'm a carhauler not a mechanic. I'd be more concerned if I fixed it than someone who at least has a clue what they're doing. Not to say I can't jerry rig something to get to a shop but if it involves oil, tires or anything more than a 6" crescent wrench I'm done, even when I owned the truck. If I couldn't afford to pay for it, I was in the wrong business.

I've never had a 'you picked a fine time to leave me front wheel' experience but if I do I think I'd be contacting the legal division of labor. Glad you're safe and sound but I'm thinking you may be overreacting.

 

I had a similar thing happen- But didn't lose the wheel end- had a stupid Pilot in north Alabama do I simpleton wheel seal on the passenger steer- Leaked after 2 weeks- I Said "Never again, I started doing ALL my own work now.

Had a pinion seal leak on power divider- Dipchits put in a sleeve and seal together and made a small leak even bigger-

Moral of the Story- hard to find quality- Do it yourself- Nobody will care for your truck like you will.

 

If you want it done right, do it yourself.

 

Am definitely for the DIY method vs shop IF you know what you are doing. Maintenance or changing a compressor type things are doable for the avg person. But if the problem dealt with brakes or wheel assembly, always tried to get back to my home area where I know the mechanics/shops.

 

Brakes and wheel seals are stupid easy. A quick google search and a YouTube video or two and you would be proficient if you have any common sense.

 

I am qualified to do all my own maintenance work, started my career as a mechanic. That said, I would sub out most of my work to qualified shops just because I did not want to spend my time off the road working on the truck. Now with a roadside breakdown I would do the repair myself as often as possible, especially if I didn't know the local shops.

As for the OP's issue, I had the same thing happen just last year. Had a large tire shop that has locations all over from PA down to VA do kingpins, wheel alignment and new steer tires. Within 2 weeks the left front wheel assembly decided to come loose. I was lucky, I felt it and stopped just before complete separation. If it had come off I would have most likely wrecked the truck as I was just about to enter a single lane stretch of I-84 between the 46 and 34 in PA. Almost home. I have pics of the retainer clip installed backwards (the yellow painted side goes towards the inside) and the tire shop would not accept responsibility for the resulting damage and extra repair. Ended up costing them a loyal customer of many years, and I took them to small claims court and won.

So, even "professional" shops don't always get it right. Don't have blind faith in the shop, always double check the work and if you are not sure ask. I don't expect drivers to be fully proficient mechanics but usually you can find something out of place with a good visual inspection.

 

Hypothetically & out of curiosity. The scenario the op posted happens again. Except this time the flailing parts or the truck ran into another car on the highway. Would there be any difference in the outcome if you did the work yourself or if could point to shop abc doing the work with regard to how insurance companies or DOT may respond? I understand or am assuming shop abc would more than likely deny any responsibility.

I have helped out with brake & drum changes etc. But kind of wanted a shops stamp on the work via receipt in an absolute worst case scenario. Same for when I had the king pins done.

 

How are you breaking lugs loose over the road ?? Tapping into the trucks air supply?...