Alloy wheels bubbling/blistering

[kenawalton]

The factory alloy wheels on my 2004 4Run Limited are bubbling/blistering (mostly near the edges of the spokes. looks like a rust bubble under the surface of the alloy). I first noticed this problem about one and a half years after I bought it new in 04. I tried to get them replaced then but the dealer insisted that it could be fixed by having them re-finished, which they did and they looked as good as new afterwards.

Well now the warantee is almost up (3 years) and it's happening again. I am going to speak to the dealer about replacement wheels and insist on it. Does anyone have any experience with this? I searched the forums but did not see any postings, yet I know this is a common problem.

Thanks.

 

[PM4WD]

I have the same problem on my 2004 SR5. I bought the vehicle used in 2005 and noticed some bubbles. Now the wheels are all blistered and pitted. I figure I will have to repaint the inside surfaces after I sandblast them. Let us know what the dealer says.

 

[Even Steven]

A friend of mine had the same problem with his Jeep Wrangler. It turns out that he was using a spray-on product to clean his wheels that damaged the clearcoat and ended up messing up the machined finish underneath.

Do you guys use any special cleaners on your wheels?

 

[Fro-Runner]

DO NOT USE any spray type cleaner on your Toyota alloy rims. Also, I would not and do not use any those fashionable tire blackwall cleaners either. These materials will eat away the clear coat on your rims.

What you can do now to prevent this problem in the future is to just CHROME your rims. This is becoming very popular and getting more affordable. Most large tire centers will now send the rims away for you to get them chrome. Some places even have exact style rim swap outs to decrease your vehicle's down waiting time.

Better yet, just go ahead and order you 4 new rims from tirerack.com and mount some new BFG's or Goodyear's on them.

 

[kenawalton]

I spoke to the dealer yesterday after work, seems that they normally just refinish the wheels (read into this...it happens quite a bit!). He said that Toyota does not like to replace wheels as they are $400 to $500 ea where as refinishing all 4 is about $500. I told him it's either new wheels or a letter entitling me to free lifetime refinishing. He told me he has to talk to Toyota so will take a few days before he has an answer (read - stall tactic). This is contradictory to what Toyota said when I called them yesterday morning with my problem (I called them to get my ducks in a row before aproaching the dealer. they gave me a ticket number to track the case with.). Toyota said it's up to the dealer to make the decision about refinishing vs replacement. Well my plan is to wait for the answer (I didn't want to push too much at this stage and piss him off!). If it's refinish than I'll push back and ask who decided this, if he blames Toyota than we are both going to talk to Toyota (call the bluff). If it's his decision than I'll call Toyota and see what I can do through them. The dealer did admit that this problem is a hit and miss problem, some get it others don't.

P.S. As I was driving out of the dealer I drove past a similar 4Run and as I did I looked at the wheels and low and behold they had the same blistering as mine! I wonder if the owner has noticed?

And yes I have used wheel cleaners before, but I also used them on my wife's Volvo Cross Country (for the same length of time) and her wheels are doing great. Sure that might contribute to this but I don't think so as it's under the finish it's like it's the alloy itself. Could be a road salt related issue, but then shouldn't everyone's wheels here in Vancouver be doing it? Maybe I just need some Volvo wheels!

Damn it you pay $55k for a vehicle, you should not have to waste time with these sorts of issues! Will keep you posted.

 

[Even Steven]

Not all wheels are affected the same way by wheel cleaners. Just because a Volvo's wheels still look good after using the same wheel cleaner doesn't mean anything. The 4Runner has a clearcoated machined finish, which can definitely be affected by teh harsh chemicals in some wheel cleaners.

 

[PM4WD]

Hi guys, The only cleaner I have used is car soap or simple green. I never had any problems before with my previous Tundra or my wifes Camry. But the wheels on the 4runner blister like crazy but only on the silver painted sections on the inside of the spokes.

 

[Uneek]

Can you post a picture of the wheels? I'm getting a blistering on my Tacoma wheels, but they're not the 5 spoke design you have on the Limited. It's the 16" alloys on the SR5 and TRD Off-Road package trucks. I'll post pics tomorrow. My dealer blames the fog and the close proximity to the Pacific Ocean. I say it's :bs:.

 

[kenawalton]

I finaly got time to take some pics of my wheels.

It's been a week since I discussed the problem with the service manager at Toyota and guess what? I haven't received a call from him yet, even though after I "bugged" him about when I could expect a call he abruptly said he'd call me in a "few" days. I have called toyota Canada and given them an update, they are passing along to thier review board (in case I don't get anywhere with this guy).

Hard not to feel like I am "bothering" the "poor" Service Manager with this silly issue. I mean, he has to take time out of his busy day to help a customer...wouldn't want to do that!

Man if I ran my business like this I'd be un-employed for lack of customers.

 

[kenawalton]

Another pic

 

[kenawalton]

the overall wheel

 

[kenawalton]

and one more

 

[Uneek]

I finaly got time to take some pics of my wheels.

It's been a week since I discussed the problem with the service manager at Toyota and guess what? I haven't received a call from him yet, even though after I "bugged" him about when I could expect a call he abruptly said he'd call me in a "few" days. I have called toyota Canada and given them an update, they are passing along to thier review board (in case I don't get anywhere with this guy).

Hard not to feel like I am "bothering" the "poor" Service Manager with this silly issue. I mean, he has to take time out of his busy day to help a customer...wouldn't want to do that!

Man if I ran my business like this I'd be un-employed for lack of customers.

Sorry for taking so long to reply as well. I've been extremely busy between tests and interviews.

The service director says he can't do anything about it because I live near the beach and that's cause of the fog. I'm going to write to Toyota corporate and if that's their standing and how their product holds up to the elements only being two years old, then Consumer Report has gotten it wrong by placing them in fourth place. They should be much lower than that. The bottom of my 14 year old beater looks better the Tacoma.

 

[Uneek]

Full wheel, no damage to it at from curb rash or harming the finish of the wheels.

Blisters

Spoke edge

 

[kenawalton]

Well after discussions with Toyota Canada and the dealer the only option offered to me was to have the wheels re-surfaced AGAIN. The reason they gave for not replacing the wheels was that the FIRST time they re-surfaced them was with a mobile unit and they now realize that was a poor way to do it so this time they were going to send them off to a company who would re-surface them in their shop therefore it would be a better job. It sounded like an out to me and an excuse to re-surface AGAIN but as they were not going to replace them I didn't have much choice. Since I had gotten Toyota Canada involved this time they assured me that if it happens again I will have justification to deal with it after the warrantee expires.

The re-surfacing definitely looks better than the first time and I hope I don't have to go back to them on this again.

Cheers.

 

[wolfgang]

You were extremely lucky to get them to pay to do the refinishing (not once but 2x!) - my dealer merely said it was an appearance item that didn't affect performance hence not covered under the warranty. Said it was caused by salts used on roads and, of course, acid rain. I did read elsewhere where it was recommended to remove tires periodically and wax then real good with carabu wax --- like who has time to tackle that job. I may be anal about washing vehicle but not waxing back of the wheels. I bet powder coating would last much longer than a regular paint clearcoat.