> Apparently for some reason, after 7 years and 130K miles, the left
> front brake caliper and wheel decided to make contact. The top
> outermost points on the caliper are making contact with the wheel but
> not evenly all around. This happens with either of two wheels mounted
> on the left front.
Then both wheels are bent. And badly. Don't you feel it in the steering
wheel while on the move?
> My wife clearly slammed into a pothole hard enough to dent the left
> rear rim and ruin the tire. Could this same, or other pothole, have
> done some damage to the front to cause this?
Yes.
> If so, what do I look
> for? There's nothing obvious to my untrained eyes.
>
> Can I safely run the car with spacers on the lug nuts to move the
> wheel outward about 1/8 to 1/4 inch?
Sure, until the excess offset wrecks the wheel bearings. What you
propose is called a "Band-Aid fix", AKA "cover-up".
You have something very, very wrong here. You do not fix this sort of
thing by applying spacers. That is a very *bad* thing.
You need to have a professional check out your ride. Something is badly
out of kilter here. I think you have either two damaged wheels or
(more likely) one very bent hub. It's a wonder your wheel bearings
aren't howling.

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Nasty - 22 Sep 2006 02:26 GMT
>> Apparently for some reason, after 7 years and 130K miles, the left
>> front brake caliper and wheel decided to make contact. The top
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> Then both wheels are bent. And badly. Don't you feel it in the steering
> wheel while on the move?
Sometimes I think I do and other times I don't. I blamed the road surface a
lot.
>> My wife clearly slammed into a pothole hard enough to dent the left
>> rear rim and ruin the tire. Could this same, or other pothole, have
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> Sure, until the excess offset wrecks the wheel bearings. What you
> propose is called a "Band-Aid fix", AKA "cover-up".
You know, when you sugar coat your reply I'm never sure what you really
mean...<going now to remove the spacers witha real sheepish look on my face>
> You have something very, very wrong here. You do not fix this sort of
> thing by applying spacers. That is a very *bad* thing.
I think your point is beginning to clear up to me.
> You need to have a professional check out your ride. Something is badly
> out of kilter here. I think you have either two damaged wheels or
> (more likely) one very bent hub. It's a wonder your wheel bearings
> aren't howling.
Well, ahm, actually, to tell the truth there is this wee noise that I
thought was coming from inboard of the hubs. The transaxle fluid is good.
I reckon I'd better get on down to the pro straight away.
Thanks TeGGeR.
Nasty - 30 Sep 2006 18:10 GMT
>> Apparently for some reason, after 7 years and 130K miles, the left
>> front brake caliper and wheel decided to make contact. The top
[quoted text clipped - 27 lines]
> (more likely) one very bent hub. It's a wonder your wheel bearings
> aren't howling.
Bottom line ( I hope) is the left front wheel bearing was shot. After R&Ring
it all is quiet.
Thanks for all the help and warnings. I do appreciate it.
> Apparently for some reason, after 7 years and 130K miles, the left front
> brake caliper and wheel decided to make contact. The top outermost points on
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> Can I safely run the car with spacers on the lug nuts to move the wheel
> outward about 1/8 to 1/4 inch?
It sounds like the wheel bearing or shaft is punched in. You might want
to fix that before the it seizes up and throws you into a skid.
Nasty - 22 Sep 2006 18:13 GMT
>> Apparently for some reason, after 7 years and 130K miles, the left front
>> brake caliper and wheel decided to make contact. The top outermost points
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
> It sounds like the wheel bearing or shaft is punched in. You might want
> to fix that before the it seizes up and throws you into a skid.
What does "punched in" mean?
Base on TeGGeR's subtle suggestion the car is grounded except maybe for a
short drive to the shop.
Thanks.
Kevin McMurtrie - 25 Sep 2006 01:43 GMT
> >> Apparently for some reason, after 7 years and 130K miles, the left front
> >> brake caliper and wheel decided to make contact. The top outermost points
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
>
> What does "punched in" mean?
As in, the inner bearing ring has been smashed part-way through the
outer bearing ring from a strong impact. Or maybe the shaft is pounded
through the bearing. Something's broken. The parts won't fit that way
without breaking first.
> Base on TeGGeR's subtle suggestion the car is grounded except maybe for a
> short drive to the shop.
>
> Thanks.
Nasty - 25 Sep 2006 02:04 GMT
>> >> Apparently for some reason, after 7 years and 130K miles, the left
>> >> front
[quoted text clipped - 27 lines]
> through the bearing. Something's broken. The parts won't fit that way
> without breaking first.
Thanks.