Buckled Rim

[nshir3]

Hi members,
I've been a member of the forum for a while but haven't contributed. I've got an MB Titanium diesel and live in NQ. I put new Dunlop tyres on two weekends ago and have just taken the vehicle back to the dealer, as the alignment appears to be out. I've just been informed that one of the rims has buckled. I took the car to an independent tyre fitter who confirmed the wheel was buckled, and rotated the rim to the rear of the car to limit alignment concerns. My question, or query, is that there is no visible damage to the tyre, not has the car hit anything out of the ordinary - eg large pot holes. Ford have quoted $1250 for a new rim which sounds inflated. Has anyone else experienced similar concerns?

Rim issues aside the vehicle continues to astound me. 45k on clock and averaging 950km on a tank on nearly 100% highway driving in somewhat hilly conditions. I will trade the vehicle late next year and will most likely consider a diesel titanium wagon.

Any thoughts appreciated.

[rag top]

get the rim repaired. or buy a s/hand one from ebay or the wreckers.

[rag top]

here is the thread on alloy wheel repairers:
http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=42249

[allanv6gt]

I had a little altercation with a gutter in my MB XR5, resulting in some nasty gravel rash on the lip of the rim.

I was quoted $840-$880 for a brand new XR5-specific rim, from two different dealers. I baulked at that price, and didn't proceed with replacement.

The price quoted to you seems excessive. Ring around, even interstate. I expect freight would be in the order of $40-50.

[svo supporter]

Originally Posted by nshir3

Hi members,
I've been a member of the forum for a while but haven't contributed. I've got an MB Titanium diesel and live in NQ. I put new Dunlop tyres on two weekends ago and have just taken the vehicle back to the dealer, as the alignment appears to be out. I've just been informed that one of the rims has buckled. I took the car to an independent tyre fitter who confirmed the wheel was buckled, and rotated the rim to the rear of the car to limit alignment concerns.

Any thoughts appreciated.

This buckled rim/alignment quotation. How is the rim buckled? Inside edge or the whole rim?

If the whole rim is buckled and the alignment was done with this rim on the front, changing it's positioning isn't going to "limit" the alignment concerns.

The alignment adjustments are done by the tierod ends, not the rim. The heads for the alignment machine are just put on rims. So if I were you and you originally went back for alignment concerns, I'd be heading back there and getting the job done properly, which means having a true running rim.

IMA, the alignment shouldn't have been done in the first place, with a buckled rim. It gives fault alignment readings.

[ian b]

I know they are not MB Titanium wheels but these might provide you with an alternative solution.

Rims are located in Brisbane.

Ebay item number 120763303844

[nshir3]

Thanks everyone for your advice. The car goes back into to Ford on Wednesday therefore I'll see what their 'recommendation' is. On a side note, the sunroof also needs it's second seal replacement in 8 weeks, as it leaks around the join in the seal towards the rear end of the sunroof.

Issues aside, the car is such a pleasure to drive on NQ highways, pot holes aside.

Thanks again for everyone's feedback. It's been very welcome.

Nick

[svo supporter]

Originally Posted by nshir3

Thanks everyone for your advice. The car goes back into to Ford on Wednesday therefore I'll see what their 'recommendation' is.
Nick

I'll tell you their recommendation. There's nothing wrong with the car, other than a buckled rim. IMA, aligning a car with a buckled rim, makes the alignment setting worse than they were originally.

Best of luck. You're going to need it.

[NZ XR6]

Originally Posted by nshir3

Hi members,
I've been a member of the forum for a while but haven't contributed. I've got an MB Titanium diesel and live in NQ. I put new Dunlop tyres on two weekends ago and have just taken the vehicle back to the dealer, as the alignment appears to be out. I've just been informed that one of the rims has buckled. I took the car to an independent tyre fitter who confirmed the wheel was buckled, and rotated the rim to the rear of the car to limit alignment concerns. My question, or query, is that there is no visible damage to the tyre, not has the car hit anything out of the ordinary - eg large pot holes. Ford have quoted $1250 for a new rim which sounds inflated. Has anyone else experienced similar concerns?

Rim issues aside the vehicle continues to astound me. 45k on clock and averaging 950km on a tank on nearly 100% highway driving in somewhat hilly conditions. I will trade the vehicle late next year and will most likely consider a diesel titanium wagon.

Any thoughts appreciated.

I put a decent dent in a steel rim from hitting a pothole a couple of years ago. But I certainly remember hitting the pothole, and wondering what damage I'd done.

Ford will probably just say that it's road damage and not a manufacturing fault. The price you've been quoted for a new rim is a joke - Ford 17" alloy wheels in NZ list for about $400 + GST, and you could buy one from the UK for less than 100 pounds.

[nshir3]

Evening members,
Thanks for your replies and advice. The car goes in to Ford in Townsville tomorrow therefore I'll let you know the outcome. Sadly I can't take the car in myself due to work travel commitments, therefore the wife will need to fight the battle.

The sunroof issue is starting to bother me also. Two seals in 8 weeks is not good enough.

Nick