Chrysler Uk's Response To The Wheel Corrosion Problem - Page 2

**Kaiser Bill** · 03-27-2009, 04:35 PM

John, its really good that you got them into any movement...just a thought, but they may get more on board if they did offer the alternative wheels suggested (though I suspect theyll be mighty unwilling to remove a giant Startech potential audience)..... but I reckon they may get more bites if theyre willing to support the customer in obtaining a finish of their choice at pristine...eg, those who want polished can have that, those requesting a coloured stove enamel/paint finish etc. - mind you, I'm merely brainstorming. I guess that DC will have to offer something enticing for customers to swallow what amounts to 2nd hand wheels. Regarding the swirl chamber - did they hint on what the cure was? My dealer intimated that his fitting of a double-lipped Mercedes seal to mine was a cure - your post makes me think different

**UK CHRYSLER 300C** · 03-27-2009, 05:06 PM

heyup John and thanks on behalf of C owners whose wheels have corroded and you have stepped in to help but as regards as the swirl rods/pots whatever anyone wants to call them,how can Chrysler say they have or will resolve the problem if Mercedes haven't solved the problem in the same engine to date?A mate of mine in the trade who is a techie at our local Merc dealership still replaces them and says its the achilles heel of the engine.Put that question to Mr Bailley and see what he has to say to that.This obviously is not for my benefit but for 99% of C owners in the UK.(who in my eye got it wrong,lol)

**Stef** · 03-27-2009, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UK CHRYSLER 300C

....................................This obviously is not for my benefit but for 99% of C owners in the UK.(who in my eye got it wrong,lol)

Stef

**UK CHRYSLER 300C** · 03-27-2009, 05:12 PM

cheeky,lol

Greenheugh · 03-27-2009, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2008uk300c

......IMO, a better option would be to replace the current wheels with replacements that will not corrode, it seems the startech wheels do not have the same problem, and as yet, I am not aware of any SRT Design wheels corroding.
.....

The Startechs are not perfect by the way - they are by far the second worst wheels I have seen - or equal worst even - with the standard wheels. Plus the centres corrode.
See? The leading corners are chipping and corrosion is starting.

G.

**Kaiser Bill** · 03-27-2009, 06:42 PM

dear oh dear...they havent got the jist of alloy wheel production at all, have they ?- it would appear the wheels have more Chrysler DNA than Brabus's in them

Greenheugh · 03-27-2009, 06:59 PM

John,
thanks for your efforts with the importer.
I have some issues here.
1. Are the wheels of merchantable quality in the first place? I can quite imagine certain alloy compositions (eg high silicon content) holding paint poorly and therefore never keeping a coating.
2. If the problem is only DC's coating then I could believe that an independent contractor would do a better job.
3. My wheels were rejected for warranty replacement because of kerb damage. In my opinion this was unfair, or at least a deal should have been done.
However, this would not work on a swapout basis - just imagine receiving someone else's repaired wheels.
4. Chrysler UK could give us a loan car while our own is in the dealership on axle stands so we get our own wheels back.
5. Chrysler UK could - via the dealer - authorise a local wheel repairer on receipt of a quote maybe (not good for people who want to use their cars).
6. The dealers could fit "loan wheels" while ours are away - maybe too much bother but surely cheaper than a loan car.

Greenheugh.

**watsonofearnock** · 03-27-2009, 07:09 PM

I had discussed the problem of the corrosion before with an alloy wheel supplier. He told me (and this was confirmed by Mr Bailley) that the problem was caused by the sharp right angle of the leading and trailing edge of the wheel spokes. When these are sprayed with lacquer it tends to lie on the surface of the faces but is very thin on the point of the angle. Also with it being a right angle it tends to abraid what lacquer there is in that area hence microscopic holes forming in the lacquer finish and corrosion starting below the surface. Apparently one of the treatments at Pristine is to round off the sharp edge with a barely perceptible radius - thus allowing a better surface for the lacquer to adhere to.
There is no point in the logistics of the exercise being studied until such times as Chrysler believes that it will have resolved the problem for the customer. There obviously are various options but the least likely would be to have a car stuck on axle stands for a week. The dealership may well hold a spare set of wheels to use on a loan basis. As far as the two year wheel warranty is concerned I was advised that no refurbishment company would offer a warranty covering any longer period. As the wheels are to replace standard wheels I would very much doubt if any difference to size or finish would be permitted - although again that matter can be raised with Mr Bailley.
The Swirl Chamber issue is supposedly resolved by taking steps to prevent oil leakage - the double lipped seal sounds about right.

keat · 03-27-2009, 07:36 PM

For me, the big fear would be, having them refurbed, and then 12 months down the line, the whole problem starting again.

Stig · 03-27-2009, 08:34 PM

Firstly Thank you very much John for being our spokesperson.

I will second that Startechs are not much better than originals.
I have seen a similar setup on e-bay where they first send you out a set of refurbs (which by the way look awesome) you put your tyres and valves on them (dealers job) and your old ones are sent back.

The refurbs that I have seen were done by a company in Glasgow and you would swear they were brand new wheels.

Cheers

Stig