My superb is still under warranty so when a "slow" puncture was checked and discovered to be a cracked alloy rim it was straight round to the dealer to sort out a replacement. Granted I was on holiday at the time and didn't fancy a 300 mile return journey on the limited speed spare so was forced to buy a new matching rim. The dealer who supplied it was gloomy at the prospect of getting any change out of Skoda for the rim under the vehicle warranty.

Although the alloy shows some kerb rash the split is actually on the inside face, ie. body side of the rim.

Question:

Has anyone else got experience of cracking rims?

Has anyone else managed to get a new wheel from skoda under warranty arrangements?

I'm considering having the crack welded and using it with a matching tyre as a spare to give me a "full speed" option in the event of a puncture. Any technical input on this idea?

The only website I've seen that offers mechanical repair to alloys shows pictures that don't fill me with confidence. Anyone know of companies in this field, along the M62 corridor?

Thanks

Yorkshiretight

My superb is still under warranty so when a "slow" puncture was checked and discovered to be a cracked alloy rim it was straight round to the dealer to sort out a replacement. Granted I was on holiday at the time and didn't fancy a 300 mile return journey on the limited speed spare so was forced to buy a new matching rim. The dealer who supplied it was gloomy at the prospect of getting any change out of Skoda for the rim under the vehicle warranty.

Although the alloy shows some kerb rash the split is actually on the inside face, ie. body side of the rim.

Question:

Has anyone else got experience of cracking rims?

Has anyone else managed to get a new wheel from skoda under warranty arrangements?

I'm considering having the crack welded and using it with a matching tyre as a spare to give me a "full speed" option in the event of a puncture. Any technical input on this idea?

The only website I've seen that offers mechanical repair to alloys shows pictures that don't fill me with confidence. Anyone know of companies in this field, along the M62 corridor?

Thanks

Yorkshiretight

Wouldn't recommend welding crack in alloy wheel. Extremely difficult to get weld penertration to bottom of crack . Also alloy composition would be difficult to match .Some distortion will occur . I'm sure your insurance co. wouldn't pay up if you had accident with welded wheel. I would be suprised if anyone would weld it for you as they would then be responsible for any accident resulting from weld failure.

I can't see Skoda wanting to know TBH it's probably more down to the shocking condition of our roads rather than poor quality.

For a repair to the wheel try Ian Jemison Engineering :

Ian Jemison Engineering

Home Farm

81 Main Street

Bishopthorpe

York

North Yorkshire

YO23 2RA

Phone/Fax: +44 01904 703863

Email: [email protected]

He repairs wheels for use in motorsport (mainly rallying), if anyone can do it then they can.

HTH.

Vauxhall 19inch snowflakes and VXR rims do this a lot, it's the tyre profile not being able to withstand potholes and speed bumps.

Thanks for these responses. Yes the implications of deep weld penetration are not lost on me.

The lead on a specialist company was most welcome. I will follow through although I suspect the cost will be painful.

The bright spot is that my local skoda shop have been far more open minded and will at leat contact HO so we'll see what happens.

Yeah the roads are really bad in W.Yorkshire but as we'd been in Norfolk for 3 days before the break and they have beautifully smooth roads, narrow but beautifully smooth, then I don't think Yorkshire's roads can be to blame. Oh hell! Yes they are!

Thanks again.

Yorkshiretight