Cracked Alloy - Superb II

[Pandybelly]

Hi,

 

I have a 170bhp Superb II, and in the last week I noticed the driver side rear tyre losing air.  I just topped it up every few days until I got a chance to look at it.  I took it off last night to check for a nail/cut and discovered that the inside of the wheel is cracked where the tyre bead meets the rim.  There is no indication of impact damage at the point of the crack so I am unsure what has caused it.  I changed the tyres about 6 weeks ago and did not have an air loss problem until the last 7-10 days.  I do drive some terrible roads so I guess that doesnt help.  I contacted my delaer and he will arrange a new wheel and try to get a warranty claim on it.  Would have my doubts on the success of that, but at least he is willing to try. 

I have attached a few photos. 

 

Anthony.....

 

[Danny 57]

Although there is no obvious impact damage at the crack, have a look either side (say 10-15cm) of the damage to see if there is any impact damage to the rim.

[silver1011]

That looks horrendous.

 

Quite worrying too to think you've unknowingly been driving around on it 

[Laurie61]

It is strange ? an impact would usually cause a buckle/dent and tyre side wall damage. It could be a stress fracture caused by poor manufacturing process ?

Some of the roads around here are not great, I decided to stick with 17" rims and run the tyres with a bit extra pressure.   

[Superb170]

Hope you get it under warranty, I got a bill for €430 (over £300) recently for an 18"

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[999smiler]

Looks more like tyre fitters dropped it, did the dealer put the silicone in it or was it already there?

I recently had tyre fitters make a mess of the edges of my rears and they hid it by smearing black silicone over the edges

[Danny 57]

Looks more like tyre fitters dropped it, did the dealer put the silicone in it or was it already there?

I recently had tyre fitters make a mess of the edges of my rears and they hid it by smearing black silicone over the edges

I think they are water bubbles.

[Bristolf2b]

I know this is easy to say in hindsight, but having witnessed a tyre fitter dropping a wheel on it's front surface damaging the alloy at a very well known tyre fitters just north of Winchester 15 years ago, I have always insisted on watching directly any tyre work on my car. I am aware this is time consuming but....

I challenged the above incident immediately and they paid for the wheel to be refurbished (eventually)

Edited 19 August, 2015 by Bristolf2b

[Pandybelly]

Hi,

 

Thanks for the advice so far.

I was with the tyre fitter when the tyres were fitted and the wheel was not dropped. 

It is a water bubble and not silicone. 

 

Anthony.....

Edited 19 August, 2015 by Pandybelly

[james0james]

That's a serious defect.

 

If your dealer gives you a new wheel and swaps the tyre (if its ok) then I would be happy if done for free.

 

If your dealer wants to sell you a new wheel and will not accept any goodwill etc,then I would buy the wheel off them (under protest) but get the tyre exchanged/fitted at a tyre specialist.

Reason,you keep the wheel for a future claim against Skoda.

Reason,the tyre fitter would have seen similar damage before and be able to comment.

Reason,skoda will want to sell you a new tyre.

Get tyre company to check all your wheels for similar damage.

 

Don't tell tyre company about a possible claim against skoda.

 

Apart from the financial side there could also be a safety implications.    Good luck !.

[PGW]

I had a cracked alloy on my previous car - Merc C200 Kompressor.  The tyre fitter pointed it out to me, it was on the inside rim.  The tyre had been holding pressure.

I had it repaired - alloy welded and finished.  Couldn't tell there had ever been any damage when the guy handed it back.  £40.  I drove it for a year and never had a single problem, completely air tight

Used D.E.A. Engineering Works Limited (Welding/Fabrication/Maintenance), Cuminestown, Turriff.  Mobile 07968 336084.   [email protected]   I would use them again.

Obviously not much use to people living outwith the Aberdeenshire area but you may find something locally.

Expect there may be detractors saying not to repair a cracked wheel but in my experience it was absolutely fine.  I saw a high quality job had been done and was happy to drive on it.