2009 Sr180 Alloys Corroding

[goldtar]

Hi all

I have a 2009 SR180 and decided when I bought it that I would take the wheels off every 5-6k miles and polish the back of the rims, and have done this. The last time I did it I noticed a number of blisters on the inside of the rims (not on the back of the spokes but on the surface of the rim below the tyre). I thoroughly wash these every week. The finish on this part of the wheel is not as polished as the front of them. There is no problem with the front face of the wheels.

Has anyone else had this problem and what do you think are my chances of getting Toyota to do anything about it?

Many thanks

[MarsKy]

Hi all

I have a 2009 SR180 and decided when I bought it that I would take the wheels off every 5-6k miles and polish the back of the rims, and have done this. The last time I did it I noticed a number of blisters on the inside of the rims (not on the back of the spokes but on the surface of the rim below the tyre). I thoroughly wash these every week. The finish on this part of the wheel is not as polished as the front of them. There is no problem with the front face of the wheels.

Has anyone else had this problem and what do you think are my chances of getting Toyota to do anything about it?

Many thanks

2 years and 11 months into my 3 year warranty, I got all 4 alloys replaced under warranty because of blistering.

[anchorman]

I'm pretty sure they will honour the warranty.

[goldtar]

2 years and 11 months into my 3 year warranty, I got all 4 alloys replaced under warranty because of blistering.

I'm pretty sure they will honour the warranty.

Hi guys

Thanks very much for the positve and fast replys. I'm off to Toyota on Monday!!

[Big Kev]

Hi all

I have a 2009 SR180 and decided when I bought it that I would take the wheels off every 5-6k miles and polish the back of the rims, and have done this. The last time I did it I noticed a number of blisters on the inside of the rims (not on the back of the spokes but on the surface of the rim below the tyre). I thoroughly wash these every week. The finish on this part of the wheel is not as polished as the front of them. There is no problem with the front face of the wheels.

Has anyone else had this problem and what do you think are my chances of getting Toyota to do anything about it?

Many thanks

2 years and 11 months into my 3 year warranty, I got all 4 alloys replaced under warranty because of blistering.

MarsKy,

Have just yesterday been cleaning the winter off the inside rims of mine, and noticed large brown patches, lots of, on two wheels. Intend to take them off for a thorough clean and inspection, but did yours just blister, or discolour therewith...?

Big Kev

[MarsKy]

MarsKy,

Have just yesterday been cleaning the winter off the inside rims of mine, and noticed large brown patches, lots of, on two wheels. Intend to take them off for a thorough clean and inspection, but did yours just blister, or discolour therewith...?

Big Kev

They blistered in the sense that there were surface "lumps" but there was no break through the surface coating. So no discolouration.

Whatever you do, get any warranty claim in before the normal 3 years warranty is up. They are *not* covered by any extended warranty (so I was told by service manager).

[Hoovie]

Hi Goldtar,

The Extended warranty doc does specifically state corrosion to Alloy wheels not covered, so concur with Marsky.

But like the other guys, I got 4 new wheels about 2 months before the initial 3 years were up with no problems at all. I think all they tend to check for is kerbing or other such damage that could have kicked off the corrosion - and from the sound of it, that would not be possible in your case.

[goldtar]

Hi all

I have a 2009 SR180 and decided when I bought it that I would take the wheels off every 5-6k miles and polish the back of the rims, and have done this. The last time I did it I noticed a number of blisters on the inside of the rims (not on the back of the spokes but on the surface of the rim below the tyre). I thoroughly wash these every week. The finish on this part of the wheel is not as polished as the front of them. There is no problem with the front face of the wheels.

Has anyone else had this problem and what do you think are my chances of getting Toyota to do anything about it?

Many thanks

2 years and 11 months into my 3 year warranty, I got all 4 alloys replaced under warranty because of blistering.

MarsKy,

Have just yesterday been cleaning the winter off the inside rims of mine, and noticed large brown patches, lots of, on two wheels. Intend to take them off for a thorough clean and inspection, but did yours just blister, or discolour therewith...?

Big Kev

Mine has discoloured too - a dark brown or even black along with a blister / imperfection or lump of the surface. And theres lots ofthem. Sounds the same as yours.

[Manxrav]

What is it with Toyota alloy wheels, I think it must be their biggest weak spot. The number of posts on poor wheels must nearly out do the faithful DMF problem!!!!!

Regards Clare

[Big Kev]

Hi all

I have a 2009 SR180 and decided when I bought it that I would take the wheels off every 5-6k miles and polish the back of the rims, and have done this. The last time I did it I noticed a number of blisters on the inside of the rims (not on the back of the spokes but on the surface of the rim below the tyre). I thoroughly wash these every week. The finish on this part of the wheel is not as polished as the front of them. There is no problem with the front face of the wheels.

Has anyone else had this problem and what do you think are my chances of getting Toyota to do anything about it?

Many thanks

2 years and 11 months into my 3 year warranty, I got all 4 alloys replaced under warranty because of blistering.

MarsKy,

Have just yesterday been cleaning the winter off the inside rims of mine, and noticed large brown patches, lots of, on two wheels. Intend to take them off for a thorough clean and inspection, but did yours just blister, or discolour therewith...?

Big Kev

Mine has discoloured too - a dark brown or even black along with a blister / imperfection or lump of the surface. And theres lots ofthem. Sounds the same as yours.

Can't make a final judgement / photo as it's intermittently widdling down and windy enough to blow car off its jack (and axle stands, of course.....) I will check when I can and report further, but mild "cherry" wheel cleaner, non acidic, is having no effect on these measle size spots at all. I would have thought it would also have manifested itself on the finished / face side...., no?

Big Kev.

[goldtar]

Kev

The finish on the front face seems to have much more lacquer than the inside. I have never used any chemicals on my wheels at all - just water and polish.

I will take some photos of mine once I get some half decent weather!!!

Cheers

Goldtar

[goldtar]

Photos as promised

[Big Kev]

That's exactly what is happening to my alloys, albeit yours are smaller spots than some of mine. Many thanks, Goldtar, for taking bother to remove wheel and photo. That's a wee dram I owe you if yer ever up this way.

Big Kev (Jist call me Shiny New Wheels....soon.)

P.S. Compliments on cleanliness of inside of your wheels....just away for ma dinner noo.....our plates will be dirtier than them wheels !!!!

[goldtar]

That's exactly what is happening to my alloys, albeit yours are smaller spots than some of mine. Many thanks, Goldtar, for taking bother to remove wheel and photo. That's a wee dram I owe you if yer ever up this way.

Big Kev (Jist call me Shiny New Wheels....soon.)

P.S. Compliments on cleanliness of inside of your wheels....just away for ma dinner noo.....our plates will be dirtier than them wheels !!!!

Cheers Big Kev

That's why I'm annoyed - cause I do take time to clean them thoroughly. BTW it's only my 2 back wheels that show this probelm!!

Goldtar

[Hoovie]

Not sure if it related or not, but those spots to me look exactly like I have seen on my wheels in the past and turned out to be very stubbon-to-shift tar spots. Tended to be on the inside of the wheels as well as that part didn't get as much regular cleaning

Normal washing products didn't move them at all, but 'Wonder Wheels' did the trick after leaving it one for around 10 minutes and then washing off liberally.

Worth a try?

[Big Kev]

Spot On, Hoovie....pun intended....I will remove a wheel and stop short of using brillo pads just to make sure it is a fault.

Big Kev