Has anybody experienced problems with the rear hubs on an '03 Predator?

My brother-in-law was riding Friday, was in powerslide around a corner and the right side rear hub let go. The rider behind him is 100% sure the wheel left the bike prior to and was the cause of the crash. He is going into surgery tomorrow for a stage 3 separated shoulder as a result.

I've been riding nearly all my life and have never seen a hub break. The ears all broke, the center of the hub was still attached to the axle, the ears are all still attached to the wheel. No bruising or punctures on the tire, only damage to the wheel was at one bolt hole. The axle is slightly bent, the castle nut was intact aswell as the cotter pin. The wheels have never been off the bike. In all it has about 25 hours on it.

I am sending the hub out to a metalurgist for examination.

Any thoughts???

 

I haven't ever seen anything like that, sorry about it, hope he gets well soon. Were the lugs tight? Have you contacted Polaris?

 

He has not contacted Polaris Industries yet, he's going to wait to see the findings of the metalurgist to see if the casting was defective. He talked to the dealer today, as he had an appointment for the brake line recall and told them what happened and they said they hadn't heard of anything like that, but defective parts are possible and that he should contact Polaris.

The lugs were tight and are actually still holding the ears of the hub on the wheel, the fractures did not occur at the bolt holes, but closer to the center of the hub. If I didn't see the part with my own eyes I'd have trouble believing how it broke.

 

wow that is weird.....it would be cool if you could post a picture on here.

 

I have digital pics. I can email you if you want to see it. PM me with your email if you want.

 

I pm'ed you

 

I've seen one that did that same thing on an 03. Don't have pictures and the owner was lucky with just some road rash (well, pasture rash!).

But, he had had an accident two or three weeks prior in which he rolled the bike. We think he may have cracked the hub leading to the failure.

 

I sent pics to an engineer friend that has a metallurgist on staff at his company. They took a look at the damage and initial thoughts are defective casting, possibly missed or improper QC / testing procedure. They are recommending the part go directly to an independent test lab in NY.