[big dave]

I'm a new user here and just wonderin:-
My 2 year old RAV4 is now on it's 3rd set of alloys.
8 wheels have pitted. They are washed twice a week at least and have never been kerbed.
Toyota say there is no manufacturing defect but know there is a problem.
My warranty is out within the year and I've been told that if they corrode after this, then 'hard lines'. I have been advised to run the car with corroded alloys until just before the warrany is up, then have them changed because at least i will gat about a year out of them.

Does anybody else have this problem on here. My dealership has told me that it is quite widespread but that they get no joy from the head office.

:evil: :evil:

 

[RAV4Don]

Dave, what do you use to wash the wheels/tires? I highly advise a non acidic product that does not cause corrosion by eating up the wheel's clear coat protecting the alloy. Most higly affective cleaners unfortunately seem to be acidic. I avoid those and have so far avoided corroded alloy wheels on other vehicles.

BTW, my RAV has the oem steel jobs regrettably. I'll just be sandblasting and repainting those when the time comes.

 

[waltrav]

My OEM alloys have gone through two winters with salted roads and they are still OK.

 

[Marcutio]

My '01 alloys are pitted but I'm just going to refinish them. Its true that "Wheel Acid" type products will, over time, destroy the clear coat so avoid these in the future.
These are Painted wheels and when you get a nik or scratch, when it is extremley small, we don't always see it until the aluminum starts to corode. An epoxy type paint that is tougher would be better for the wheels but I guess cost won over that issue at the Toyota head office somewhere. Its not the end of the world to have to refinish your wheels. If you do it yourself its even easier on the wallet. I'm refinishing mine over the winter and I'll show you the before and after.

Wheels take the brunt of whats out there you have to expect them to have battle scars. Later. M.

 

[zoomie]

It may be your washing product. I've had alloys going through normal street driving and highway driving with some occassional snow environment and they've been doing just fine for 3 yrs.

Washing twice a week? Bit excessive isn't it? Where the hell are you driving?

 

[big dave]

Washing twice a week? Bit excessive isn't it? Where the hell are you driving?

I'm driving in derbyshire, and two times a week excessive!!
You should meet my dad, he washes his every time just before it goes back in the garage (it is a jag tho)
I don't use alloy wheel cleaner, just water hosepipe(not jetwash) and a soft cloth.
I have just got rid of a seven year old escort-alloy wheels pristine.
My wife has a clio with a set of at least 6 year old aftermarket alloys (fox) on it. Not a mark
Toyota have recognised the problem. They just choose to change the alloys and when three year warranty is up, to wash their hands of the problem.
As to battle scars. Do you REALLY think that eight wheels corroding in less than 10 months apiece (not kerbing,scratching) is acceptable. If so, yours standards must be low.

 

[carmusic]

2 times a week :shock: Your paint will look very bad in 4-5 years, i wash mine about every two month and it is 11 years old (626 1994) and still looks great (even my factory aluminium wheel were ok)

 

[big dave]

washing a car twice a week excessive!!!
my dads car is washed constantly and is 18 years old!!
my escort conv was 6-7 years old, not a mark.
so you REALLY think that washing a car every two months is good for it. What about the mud resting on the paintwork, what about the bird faeces containing acid burning away at the paintwork, what about the sap from trees, what about the insects on the front.
Don't know if you're trying to wind me up or if you are just a fool.
I know what I'm guessing!!

 

[Marcutio]

Once a week for me but sometimes twice if I can or if I have been playing in the dirt! 8)

 

[Bluenoser]

Double post removal...."finger trouble" :lol:

 

[Bluenoser]

I don't think anyone is "trying to wind you up".....ha,ha but it's been know to happen......but we meet all kinds on here and I'm one who washes my daily drivers about once a month, although I'd like to be doing it twice a week......just no time.... I've washed my VW alloys over the years with "Fantastic" household cleaner, and they've never pitted much and one set is 17 years old, and the other is 12 years, and it removes the brake dust well....

I don't know if Derbyshire is near the coast and you're exposing the wheels to salt spray or what...... Here in Canada a lot of salt is spread on the highways in winter and we drive in a saltly soup for four months or so, and I've never heard of that much corrosion before...... AND this is why so many of us over here put our snow tires on steel rims and save our alloys for summer....Are you on a well or municipal water...???.....any minerals in the water??
I agree with you that because the Escort and Jag alloys are holding up, and the dealer comments, that there is definitely a problem with the Toyota alloys (at least, over there). When you get your last set before warranty ends, I'd suggest giving them a good coating of clear coat while they're new......

BTW....they're pitting, but are they also losing air at the bead???

Cheers

 

[Manxrav]

Hi Big Dave, I live in Yorkshire (next county up), my 98 Rav4 front wheels have corroded the back ones are OK. I put it down to Road Salt in winter but I also think that it is the one area that Toyota do let themselves down. The Rav body work is second to none but the wheels thats a different kettle of fish. I have recently bought some 17,s off E/Bay but before I put them on my Rav I am going to have them resprayed( althought they are virtually brand new).
Nice to see a fellow Northerner on the best forums around
Clare
Halifax West Yorks

 

[big dave]

hi clare
Love the car, disappointed with the alloys (like the looks , not the quality)
On another forum I asked people to pm me if they had problems.
I'm up to 83 now. Yaris owners more than rav4 admittedly.
Funny thing is, I've just been invited to a toyota open day. Guesswhat? I'm going. With photos. should be fun!!!

 

[nomoretoy]

Hi Big Dave,

Its not new that you have this problem with corroding alloys. Mine was corroded as well just before its was 3 yrs. At that time I did mentioned to the dealer they say best is to wait when I have the tires change and they will replace the alloys at the same time. Guess what ? I forgot to have the alloy replace by the waranty when I repalced the worn tyres.

The dealer now is not interested in replacing the alloys now since its outside the warranty period.

But I have seen someone somewhere that they mentioned about alloys paint/material is a problem for the uk model. It was mentioned that this problem is now rectified with the new 2005 model. Unless you asked the dealer to replace with the '05 model you're foing to have the same problem.

Hope this helps.. No More Toyota

 

[big dave]

Well, if you or anyone else wants to pm me with details, the more ammunition I get.....!
Only tryin to get a decent warranty on new sets of alloys when the three years warranty is up. I don't believe that if they change your alloys (like mine are about to be changed again) that once the warranty is up they can wash their hands of it. They are surely replacing faulty items with faulty items. Or they are admitting that their alloys corrode in less than a year. Either way not very good.
I'm not wanting upgrades. I'm not wanting money back. I just want the standard alloys to last.
I personally don't think it's too much to ask for.

 

[SupraBob]

Dave,

I'm Derbyshire too, near Burton

Our Rav 4 also has very bad corrosion problems - there's no damage to the top coat, it seems to be an actual corrosion of the alloy. I had exactly the same thing on my '02 Celica (as have many other celica owners). Most of the celica owners I know of were lucky enough to get the wheels replaced or refurbed under warranty.

Time for those 20" spinners you never wanted . . . :lol:

 

[Marcutio]

Post some pictures in your album so that we can see the pitting you are talking about and just how bad it is.
Manys factors can cause pitting or the premature failure of the paint on the alloys which leads to the aluminum coroding (pitting). Salt, polution, severe UV rays, high mineral content in the water, scratches/damaged paint (wheel-weight chips) etc..... just to name a few.
Paint is paint. The type and the quality depends on where the UK suppliers get them done. Maybe they are all the same but the quality in the beginning may be lower.

Like I say mine are pitted too at about three years so I guess I'm in the same boat. I came from a very salty environment with mineral rich water. Almost the same as the conditions in much of UK. No warranty on mine so I'm doing them myself (diff. color)

Create your album! Share the info with us and maybe someone else will have more to offer with respect to care for your new wheels. Good luck.

Later. M.