So there I am - driving along in my wife's 87 245. When I start to hear this slight grinding noise from the left front wheel.

I think - time for bearing repack...

I pull over, check the hub/caliper for any heat build up - just in case it was a binding brake caliper...

Then I drive the 6 miles home - slower than usual - and plan to jack the car up and pull the tire...

When I get the tire off everything is OK.

As I go to put the wheel back on the studs - the wheel wil not go on.

Then I see the cause!!!

The "basket" or lower spring support on the front strut had corroded and sagged down, so the coil support was rubbing on the tire. It wore some of the tread off the snow tire (5 weeks old) but did not wreck the tire.

After I had the strut tube replaced at a front end shop, I asked the mechanic if he had ever seensuch a thing before...

Nope.

So here is my query - has anyone had this happen before???


The 245 is feeling great again and I have a few hundred $$'s less .

On we Brick....