Rear near-side wheel Welded.

[SaltySim]

Morning all,

Only just joined, but i'm hoping to plug your brains.

Just had the C63 in to MB for a air bag re-call, on inspection they found the rear nearside wheel has been aluminium welded in two places. They say its massively unsafe to drive and ill obviously need a new wheel. I bought the car back in December last year from a trade dealer, what do you advise i do in terms of contacting the dealer?

Do i have a case to get them to pay for it, or would they simple deny all knowledge and id be wasting my time, just wondering if there's anyone that has hand a similar problem in the past...

[/IMG]

And if anyone knows where i can get these cheaper than here:

http://www.alloywheelsdirect.net/me...aloon_w204_alloys/19_amg_v_16_spoke_wheel_454

 

[AMGeed]

I think the dealer is being unnecessarily dramatic suggesting the wheel is unsafe to use. Properly repaired they present no danger in normal road use although I'd want a new one if tracking the car or using it on the Autobahn. Welded wheels also pass an MOT test and you have been driving since last Dec without a problem.

I'd carry on using it and keep an eye out for a single wheel on eBay.
I doubt the dealer will be interested after 6 months either although if you bought it through a MB dealer I'd be asking them.

Welcome to the forum BTW.

 

[JBell]

Alloy wheels often get welded as they crack on the crappy roads, provided it has been done properly you should have no problems, it has been fine so far so keep going

 

[Flyinspanner]

It's fine to get wheels repaired.

 

[vijilants]

Just had one of mine repaired by Wheel Works in Crawley when they found a crack in it when they went to refurbish it.

They are a reputable company and I'm sure they would not repair it unless it was safe to do so.

 

[John Laidlaw]

Proper weld proper company fine!

 

[Xtractorfan]

Depends on the type of weld, it is said that TIG welding for aluminium is better as it spreads the heat much better than MIG.
No real safety issues with welding a small crack. Franchised garages will always go for the safety angle, and who can argue with them. You could try contacting the previous owner and see if he is aware of the wheel repair. The garage you bought off will possibly try and fob you off, and who could blame them after all of this time.
If the car is on finance then you could try contacting them if the garage refuses to admit knowledge of the repair.