Crack in rim...covered by warranty???
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Member
Joined: Nov 2007
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2004 E55
Crack in rim...covered by warranty???
I took my car to a goodyear because of a tire leaking air and they told me I have a crack in the back of the rim. With these type of rims, I would have thought they would bend before they would crack. Has anyone had this problem and does anyone have any plausible arguments that would help me get it covered under warranty?
Thanks to all who reply.
Thanks to all who reply.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: San Diego
2015 S212
Your argument will have to be that the crack either already existed or was at least starting. I'd go to a reputable wheel shop and have them look at it. If they say it looks like you hit something, then let it be. If they can't tell what caused it, take it to benz and claim it has always been there.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Daytona, Florida
SL600
99% chance that they're going to say it's due to abuse and deny a warranty claim.
If you're a REALLY good customer and you throw a big enough tantrum then you might get the dealer to do something for you, but other than that I think you're probably out of luck.
I agree with the other poster that you will strengthen your position if you can find a reputable wheel shop that will state in writing that the crack is due to a manufacturing defect.
If you're a REALLY good customer and you throw a big enough tantrum then you might get the dealer to do something for you, but other than that I think you're probably out of luck.
I agree with the other poster that you will strengthen your position if you can find a reputable wheel shop that will state in writing that the crack is due to a manufacturing defect.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: London, UK
No longer stock '06 E55, A3 3.2 Quattro, GLE 400d, R107 280SL, Golf Polo
my friend had split style IV original AMG's and they had some corrosion - MB replaced all four under warranty. Car was outside warranty.
MB have a big corrosion cover - check if you can see any ... a crack may be treated differently unfortunately.
MB have a big corrosion cover - check if you can see any ... a crack may be treated differently unfortunately.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: P'cola, FL
'03 E55
Not sure where you're located, but if the crack is minimal, you can probably have it welded for under $100 at a reputable place. The new wheel would be nice, but might not be worth the hassle if MB fights you on it too much.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Daytona, Florida
SL600
That wheel never balanced out right after that....you always could notice a high speed vibration beginning about 70 and getting worse as speed increased. Took it back umpteen million times, but it was still messed up when I traded the car a year and a half later.
Depending on the size and location of the crack, you are going to have balancing issues if you get it welded.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Nov 2007
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2004 E55
I am dropping off at dealer tonight, telling them that Goodyear told me that the rims should have not cracked, and that it must be a manufacturer defect. Leaving for dealer in 20 minutes, so any better ideas, please let me know.
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Member
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: 3387 Livonia ave, LA, CA 90034
Mercedes Benz E63 AMG
I also have 2 sets of stock E63 wheels and tires here that have virtually no miles on them if you dont have any luck with MB (one set has under 100 miles the other has under 1000)
good luck and pm or call me and maybe I can help you out
good luck and pm or call me and maybe I can help you out
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Caribbean/Florida/Colorado
E-ZGO 53hp., 1999 E 430 sport, 2004 E 55, 2008 Tahoe LTZ on 24"s
Did that once on a porsche I had with Ruf rims...suckers were heinously expensive so I had a crack welded instead of replacing the rim, trying to save money. It was a total waste of time.
That wheel never balanced out right after that....you always could notice a high speed vibration beginning about 70 and getting worse as speed increased. Took it back umpteen million times, but it was still messed up when I traded the car a year and a half later.
Depending on the size and location of the crack, you are going to have balancing issues if you get it welded.
That wheel never balanced out right after that....you always could notice a high speed vibration beginning about 70 and getting worse as speed increased. Took it back umpteen million times, but it was still messed up when I traded the car a year and a half later.
Depending on the size and location of the crack, you are going to have balancing issues if you get it welded.
I could give a 50 page dissertation on weldment to a rotating element, save your self the trouble, get a new rim.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: P'cola, FL
'03 E55
Does welding on a rotating element pose any additional problems aside from the fact that the wheel must be re-balanced when the tire is installed?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Caribbean/Florida/Colorado
E-ZGO 53hp., 1999 E 430 sport, 2004 E 55, 2008 Tahoe LTZ on 24"s
I had 1/4" - 3/8" hole repaired on one of my wheels several months ago at the recommendation of several members of this board. I have since taken the car to 150+ and noticed no vibrations, etc.
Does welding on a rotating element pose any additional problems aside from the fact that the wheel must be re-balanced when the tire is installed?
Does welding on a rotating element pose any additional problems aside from the fact that the wheel must be re-balanced when the tire is installed?
Welding on an aluminum rim has many draw backs, most are heat related.
Any time you weld aluminum it changes shape and molecular properties.
The change in shape means a rim will expand during weldment and freeze in a new shape (no matter how many heat sinks you try to use) now the problem is that it can be balanced but will still cause vibrations like an out of round tire/wheel.
The molecular changes are the anneal-ment of the metal that takes place during weldment, the heat changes the hardness/temper of the alloy and will actually make the rim crack easier in the same place after it is welded.
In the case of your hole in the rim, a weld could be done on a small scale with a plug and 4 passes with a tig and letting it freeze between passes. In the case of a crack, a much larger area is covered, and unless you X-ray it you never know how far to go. It is just soo much better to find a new or new take off rim.
In the end we have some seriously fast cars here, lets try to stay safe as possible, I would hate to hear of a wheel failure at speed by any member here.
Senior Member
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From: P'cola, FL
'03 E55
