Alloy Wheel Pitying !

[Cliffyboy]

Hi all and I am trying to find out if any of you guys out there with a 2018 Fiat Ducato have had signs of alloy wheels starting to pity already ? Its nothing drastic at the moment but I can only see things getting worse ! If any of you have noticed this happening on your M.H. what action have you taken to nip it in the bud before it gets worse ?

 

[Lenny HB]

A common problem I know a couple of people who have had the wheels changed under warranty, I don't think they were Fiat wheels.

 

[Robert Clark]

We had ours replaced after 12 months on our N&B

Got new tyres too

 

[Cliffyboy]

Thanks Guys and mine are proper Fiat alloys but may be difficult to get my dealers attention at moment ! but thanks again.

 

[Robert Clark]

Thanks Guys and mine are proper Fiat alloys but may be difficult to get my dealers attention at moment ! but thanks again.

I’d email them to register your claim wit pics

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[Phill D]

Thanks Guys and mine are proper Fiat alloys but may be difficult to get my dealers attention at moment ! but thanks again.

I agree email fiat camper services and fiat UK. the should give you guidance and you will have registered the problem in writting.

 

[peterc10]

Are these alloy wheels fitted by Fiat? Most I have seen on motorhomes are optional extras supplied and fitted by the converter. If that is the case, it has nothing to do with Fiat. For example my Fiat based Hymer had alloy wheels fitted by Hymer. These pitted badly and were replaced as part of the Hymer warranty

 

[HugoBNB]

Not on MH but on my Merc. Got them replaced under warranty without any issues. Odd thing was that they checked the wheels to see if they had been repaired from previously being kerbed (they hadn't) as they said this would invalidate the factory warranty on them.

 

[Ivory55]

Not on MH but on my Merc. Got them replaced under warranty without any issues. Odd thing was that they checked the wheels to see if they had been repaired from previously being kerbed (they hadn't) as they said this would invalidate the factory warranty on them.

I guess that they are not going to throw your old wheels away and refurbished them for exchange etc with someone else, and if they have already been done they would be responsible for something that they had not done.

 

[tonyidle]

Alloy wheels are naturally condescending ....................

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[jongood]

Alloy wheels are naturally condescending ....................

I must admit I was wondering what kind of thread this was actually going to be.

Very much a 1st world problem but some of these autocorrect things can be very persistent, one of my phones would even change words after I had deleted and corrected the original suggestions, sometimes to things that were'nt even words.

 

[tonyidle]

I must admit I was wondering what kind of thread this was actually going to be.

Very much a 1st world problem but some of these autocorrect things can be very persistent, one of my phones would even change words after I had deleted and corrected the original suggestions, sometimes to things that were'nt even words.

Good thing too - wouldn't life be dull .

 

[Pausim]

Hymer replaced all the wheels on my last motorhome. I sent pictures to the dealer and the new ones were ordered in time for my next visit.

 

[Stewart J]

Hymer agreed to replace mine because of pitting 6 months out of warranty this they said was a good will gesture so fitting was at my expense which I had no problem with. I put it to the dealer in writing I would prefer the Goldshmidt alloys fitted from late 2017 and Hymer agreed. Local garage changed over the tyres for me at £15 per wheel inc new HP valves, balancing and VAT, well pleased.

 

[Dan and Jan]

My Burstner 726g had the same problem, tried for ages to get the dealer to change them. Gave up in the end as they said the only option was to buy a new set. 2014 van. Looked like snail trails, polished alloys.

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[RustyRuss]

Your alloy wheels are what is known as "Diamond cut" and they are notorious for getting worm like markings underneath the lacquer that the manufacturers apply in the factory. This is really well known in the car industry and is a total pain! You can get insurance for them but it's expensive. You can get them "refinished" by alloy wheel refurb companies. But perceived wisdom is to only clean them with hot water and a sponge, the chemicals in car washes and pressure-wash spray booth type places is very aggressive on the lacquer and they are also very susceptible to tiny stone chips. It appears that once the lacquer has been breached the salty and acidic water that inhabits any wet road surface gets into the damaged area and then the aluminium oxidisation process begins, hence the worm like marking. Normal alloy wheels have a coating of paint or powder coating before they get the lacquer. Diamond cut wheels only have the lacquer...... Get different wheels fitted is, I think, the best long term advice.....

Cheers!

Russ

 

[Steve and Denise]

We had ours changed under warranty but they f we still have the van when they go again it would be powder coating, more durable ?

 

[jezport]

Diamond cut alloys will always corrode in the end, get them replaced and they will be just as bad within 2 years. Would never have them again!

 

[tonyidle]

Steels with nice trims work with no issues. My experiences with alloys (unless powder coated) over the years has been with corrosion problems, especially the tyre and valve seating areas. They cost a bomb to make good and they're as heavy, if not heavier, than equivalent steels. I know they can look good, especially on a PVC, and I've had them on classic cars for that reason. Never again though.

 

[Jake Royd]

Not a motorhome issue but an industry issue with machined alloys.
I would try to avoid them on any vehicle I bought.
Cast alloys with paint and lacquer finish are much more able to withstand winter and road salts etc.

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[Cliffyboy]

Thanks everybody I will try and get something done with Fiat warranties but after the comments I'm not holding my breath ! .

 

[peterc10]

Thanks everybody I will try and get something done with Fiat warranties but after the comments I'm not holding my breath ! .

As I said before it is very likely that Fiat did not supply the wheels. It is more likely that Adria did as an optional extra.

 

[Hettie's Crew]

Our wheels were like this after two years and replaced under warranty, the wheel pictured is the replacement after three years, taken a couple of days ago. All four were bad, this being the worst. I’ve now had them done locally in gloss black.
Just waiting for black wheel nut covers.

 

[dunnah01]

My new standard non Fiat Fiat alloys are the mk 2 version which are now delivered covered in something called paint to stop these problems

 

[Cliffyboy]

Thanks Hetties Crew and will see what the fiat agent says about my wheels when i go next month for recall check ! .

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[RustyRuss]

SHMBO has just bought a Toyota Aygo with Diamond cut wheels..... They look really good at the moment but the wheel nuts were rusting already!!! I couldn’t believe it! I came over all Victor Meldrew!! Anyway I bought a tin of red brake calipers paint from Halfrauds and painted them red, they look amazing! They go with the red detailing and mirrors on the Aygo, Hattie n co, might be worth a try instead of black nuts?

Cheers!



Russ

 

[Coolcats]

I don't know if this helps but I do use sealant when I first get a vehicle and about every six months try and ensure they have a good clean and re-seal they tend to keep looking good. as Rusty Russ said try and avoid chemicals on them if you can.

 

[Richard n Ann]

I don't know if this helps but I do use sealant when I first get a vehicle and about every six months try and ensure they have a good clean and re-seal they tend to keep looking good. as Rusty Russ said try and avoid chemicals on them if you can.

What sealant?

 

[Coolcats]

What sealant?

I use the autoglym one

Wheel Protector

Keep wheels clean between washes with our Wheel Protector. An easy to apply, invisible sealant that repels brake dust and dirt for up to six weeks.

www.autoglym.com

but there is a range of others out there

Wheel Sealant

in this section you'll find a range of {brand} Wheel Sealantsthat are designed to seal clean wheels to make future wheel cleaning easier whilst preventing build up of harmful brake dust. A wheel sealant is normally a synthetic high temperature wax that can withstand the harsher conditions and higher

www.cleanyourcar.co.uk

 

[Cliffyboy]

Well hi guys ,it looks as if Fiat are willing to do something about my pittying alloy wheels and wondered what options others would take ? New wheels which will probably go bad again after a couple of years or refurbish the ones I have on there now ? What do you think Rusty Russ ? Should insist that they powder coat them or is there something better ? I always wash my wheels with just good turtle wash and water ,no chemicals ,!

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