Broken Ball Joints & Missing Wheels

One of the more difficult jobs a light-duty tow operator may be asked to take on is towing a vehicle with missing wheels or a broken ball joint. Though the job can be intimidating, with the right knowledge and tools, any operator is able to safely and efficiently handle it.

Loading a vehicle with a missing wheel or broken ball joint can be done with either a light-duty tow truck or a car carrier, though different methods must be used to properly hook up the vehicle for transport.

Depending on the severity of the damage, loading a casualty with a missing wheel or broken ball joint on a carrier can be extremely difficult. Rolling a vehicle with a missing wheel onto the bed of the truck isn’t the simplest task, however using a WreckMaster skate can help simplify the process.

MISSING WHEELS

Loading a casualty that has a missing wheel with an intact rotor is much simpler than loading with a broken ball joint:

  • Rest the rotor in the slot on the top of the WreckMaster skate
  • Check that the casualty will clear the bed while loading it
  • Use the skate to slide the casualty onto the bed of the carrier

TIP:

If the skate is not able to clear the lip of the carrier bed, flip a second WreckMaster skate over and use it as a ramp to reach the bed.

Once the missing wheel is on the bed, winch the vehicle onto the bed and properly secure the casualty for transport.

BROKEN BALL JOINTS

Loading a casualty with a broken ball joint on a carrier is one of the more difficult tasks a light- duty operator will be faced with. While a WreckMaster skate can be used to load the casualty, it is not as straight forward as loading when the rotor is still intact:

  • Remove the tire whenever possible. If not possible, secure the damaged wheel to the casualty using a rachet strap or with chains
  • Using two WreckMaster skates can increase the surface area that the casualty can rest on the skate
  • Invert two skates and connect them together using interlocking teeth
  • Use a block of wood with a wide base and set it on top of the skates
  • Rest the suspension or ball joint on top of the block of wood
  • Slowly winch the casualty onto the bed
  • If the skates will not clear the lip of the bed, use two more skates as a ramp

Once the vehicle is safely on the bed, secure the vehicle with at least four attachment points before transporting.