Blistering Alloys

[clive burt]

I have an E 320 CDI Avantgarde (2003) with standard alloys for this model.
I have noticed recently that the alloy coating is blistering and rust is forming where the spokes join the wheel.
I use Wonder Wheels to get rid of brake dust about once a month.Normal shampoo at other times.
Is this problem covered by the paint /rust Warranty?

If not any ideas how to rectify or to minimalise further damage.

 

[jberks]

You could ask if its covered by warranty - some firms have been known to replace corroded alloys - not sure about MB, though they may be willing to pick up the tab to refinish them. Failing that, there are lots of alloy wheel refinishers around.
I keep my alloys well waxed. Whether this will help to stave off the dreaded wheel rot, only time will tell.

 

[clive williams]

I have an E 320 CDI Avantgarde (2003) with standard alloys for this model.
I have noticed recently that the alloy coating is blistering and rust is forming where the spokes join the wheel.
I use Wonder Wheels to get rid of brake dust about once a month.Normal shampoo at other times.
Is this problem covered by the paint /rust Warranty?

If not any ideas how to rectify or to minimalise further damage.

This ought to be covered under warranty as damage to alloy wheels is normally due to kerbing or clip on weights - this corrosion fits neither cause. I suspect that during the pre-paint cleaning the area was left with contamination that affected the adhesion of the paint coating. Therefore, this is a latent manufacturing defect and should be covered under warranty. Subject to any of our legal bods input I would have thought that this would be governed by reasonable timescales if the standard warranty does not apply.

Clive

500E
E320CDIT210

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Too much acidic cleaning solution may eventually break through the layers of paint and cause corrosion. I never use the stuff preferring to wash the wheels regularly and apply a coat of wax.

Apart from curbing the biggest cause of corrosion is allowing tyre fitters to bang steel weights to the lip of the wheel, I always ask for stick on weights to be placed on the inside of the wheel ro avoid this.

I very much doubt whether MB will replace your alloys, they may contribute to a refurb or replacemnts, but always worth asking.

 

[Blobcat]

Another problem with the acidic wheel cleaning solutions is the damage they can do to the brake calipers f they are not completely washed off.

 

[television]

As Malcolm210 says,If you were to read the contents of those wheel cleaners, no one would use them. The finish on MB wheels is poor by modern stendards, wash and wax is the best. I too doubt if MB will do anything.
Pristine wheels in Northamton are one of the best wheel refinishers, they do most of MB and BMW wheels for the dealers.

Malcolm

 

[Ant]

Well I had the same problem on an 04/02 E320 CDi Avantgarde. The alloy wheels are coated in a lacquer but there is nothing to stop the ingress of damp where the wheel bolts are. I claimed under the warranty and although the local franchise dealer was pretty useless, I contacted Mercedes direct and the wheels were all replaced under warranty. Unfortunately, a year later and the same problem is starting all over again. I solved the problem by selling the car but I'm buying a new one! Claim on the warranty and don't take No for an answer. The salesperson where I'm buying the new one said that the wheels were an embarrassment to them. Good luck.

 

[clive williams]

Another problem with the acidic wheel cleaning solutions is the damage they can do to the brake calipers f they are not completely washed off.

Also, the wheel cleaner will rust the threads of the wheel bolts where they protrude through the hubs. Because of the frequency of washing and the infrequency of wheel removal, its possible to generate enough deep seated corrosion to damage the hub threads when the bolts are removed. This is now a common problem in tyre fitting bays but only the expert ones realise that the threads are damaged - you have been warned!

Clive

500E
E320CDIT210

 

[television]

The design of MB wheels, leads to corrosion due to the sharp edges. Diamond cut surfaces do offer some grip for the lacquer, But the edges around the wheel bolts that also rust badly are so sharp, it is impossible to stop them from corroding.
I have highly polished alloys on my V70R,there are no sharp edges,and at 7 years old they are like new, that includes the chrome wheel bolts. So it can be done.

malcolm

 

[Blobcat]

The design of MB wheels, leads to corrosion due to the sharp edges. Diamond cut surfaces do offer some grip for the lacquer, But the edges around the wheel bolts that also rust badly are so sharp, it is impossible to stop them from corroding.
I have highly polished alloys on my V70R,there are no sharp edges,and at 7 years old they are like new, that includes the chrome wheel bolts. So it can be done.

malcolm

Have you seen the new Volvo wheel nuts though? my neighbour has a 55 reg Volvo and all the wheel nuts are rusty already.
My wife's 05 Honda has rust marks starting on the locking wheel nuts and they fitted clip on weights to the alloys
My wheels are marked but the wheel nuts are still looking very good at 5.5yrs.

 

[Silver Arrow]

"and they fitted clip on weights to the alloys"

Surely some comment was in order to have stick on jobs used instead?

 

[Blobcat]

"and they fitted clip on weights to the alloys"

Surely some comment was in order to have stick on jobs used instead?

Honda original fitment so I wasn't able to choose. My Honda CBR600 had clip on weights originally so maybe thats what Honda specify.

 

[clive williams]

"and they fitted clip on weights to the alloys"

Surely some comment was in order to have stick on jobs used instead?

I was told last spring that some Eurocrat had decided that lead weights were no longer permissible from the summer onwards and my local tyre fitter had run out of stick-on and plastic coated weights as he didn't want to be left with a quantity of lead weights to get rid of later. I was left with having to use standard clip ons with a promise that he would change them when the new type were out FOC. However, over the last few months I've had plastic coated lead on steel rims and stick-ons on the alloys and I keep meaning to ask him why they haven't changed. Can you imagine the size of maleable metal non-lead weights? I reckon they can't produce a substitute.

Clive

500E
E320CDIT210

 

[Blobcat]

My tyre dealer can still get stick on lead, (just put new tyres on both bikes) he did say that the price of the weights had more than doubled though.

 

[290Gee]

C class Wheels

Hi all, reading with interest your comments on the blistering wheels. I have a C270 (03 plate ) which I purchased approximately four weeks ago. The wheels were in a poor condition, so I took the car to my local dealer to express my disappointment. A guy from the service team took notes made a call to Merc. They agree to pay 50% towards new rims. They would only replace three as one has kerb damage. The twist is they would not give me back my old wheels. I may as well have refurbished my old ones.

My wheel bolts are also rusting, yet I see some cars have alloy bolts fitted. Can any body explain why some are alloy and some are not.

My rear wheels are 8J and the fronts 7J. Is this normal or were they fitted as a factory extra ?

 

[television]

Hi all, reading with interest your comments on the blistering wheels. I have a C270 (03 plate ) which I purchased approximately four weeks ago. The wheels were in a poor condition, so I took the car to my local dealer to express my disappointment. A guy from the service team took notes made a call to Merc. They agree to pay 50% towards new rims. They would only replace three as one has kerb damage. The twist is they would not give me back my old wheels. I may as well have refurbished my old ones.

My wheel bolts are also rusting, yet I see some cars have alloy bolts fitted. Can any body explain why some are alloy and some are not.

My rear wheels are 8J and the fronts 7J. Is this normal or were they fitted as a factory extra ?

I do not think that you can have Alloy wheel bolts.

malcolm