Hello folks. Has any one had issues with bucked wheels on their Superbs?

I bought my 17 Plate 280 in mid December and have covered less than 500 miles since, 100 of those getting it home.

 

As a result of having three different design tyres on it (two Pirelli P7, one nearly new Bridgestone Potenza and one Bridgestone Turanza) I decided to buy three new Potenzas so they were all matching. I like my cars to be spot on.

 

While they were being fitted the fitter informed me that the wheels of two of the three tyres they changed were buckled and you could see them wobble on the balancing machine.

 

I got them to check the 4th wheel and that was also "wobbly" making a total of 3 out of 4. They are also the three wheels that were refurbished when the car was sold to me. Unfortunately I didn't see them before the refurb. 

 

The car was traded into a franchise dealer but wasn't sold as approved I believe due to its 3 year service being done by an independent. I bought it from a garage by the same name as the franchise around the corner but outside the franchise network so to speak. Inspection report with the car states the wheels were inspected and free of any deformation. 

 

 

 

Check they haven’t powder coated or painted the inside mating face or the centre bore of the wheel (the part that contacts the hub on the car)

you wouldn’t need much to the wheel to make it appear buckled.

 

IF there is ANY paint on the mating surface then remove it all.

Hi @MarkyTDI,

 

I think the answer is in your question... ! 

15 minutes ago, MarkyTDI said:

Inspection report with the car states the wheels were inspected and free of any deformation. 

Based on this I would go back to the dealer where you bought it, to ask him what this mess is !?! 

"free of deformation" means "free of deformation". He will probably try to dodge the problem arguing that this has happened during the 500 miles you've made since delivery.

In this case, than just ask him why:

19 minutes ago, MarkyTDI said:

They are also the three wheels that were refurbished when the car was sold to me. Unfortunately I didn't see them before the refurb. 

Quite strange, isn't it?

 

In France, this is called a "hidden defect" and in such a case, the seller can be sued in court. Especially coming from a professional, this is not acceptable. I don't know if such a law exists in th UK. Any way, try to see what the seller proposes you as a solution:

- New (perfect) repair for all 3 wheels?

- 3 new wheels?

Good luck for your negotiation!

 

 

The mating face is totally fine. They refinished the front face of the wheels but didn't paint the entire wheel. 

I'm pretty gutted and worried they will say that I have buckled them in the three weeks I've had the car. My BMW is running split rims and 35 profile tyres and they are fine after 11 years ownership so I'm really careful (OCD) about things like this.

Well in that case I would be returning to the dealer as @Bap33 has suggested.

 

FWIW I have run 19” wheels for about 55k miles without issue... I have also had one blowout and hit some shocking potholes.

@MarkyTDI Well, ti's worth to try... In the worst case, the seller is in bad faith and he won't propose you anything. But then you know, he is definitely not the guy that will overhaul your car! In the best case he makes you a fair proposal to solve the problem and you can then trust him to service your car next time.  

It also failed its 1st MOT on a tyre with a bulge in it. 

• Nearside Front Tyre has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

I know these things happen but its obviously didn't have the most careful previous owner if they managed to buckle three wheels. 

Definitely sounds like the previous owner was a over generous with their pot hole/kerb aiming. See what the dealer says with all the evidence. Maybe email them and follow up with a call so you have everything in writing. Then ask for their response to be on email. With any luck they will at least offer something towards repair/replacement.

The selling dealer is responsible, as others have said, will probably try and wriggle out of it, but it’s their problem as a professional.

 

I would also put the inspector on notice (write to them, quoting their reference) stating that a balancing machine shows deformed, asking for their deformation threshold parameter, as they said they weren’t.

 

There is a difference between not visually deformed, and no deformation at all.   I suspect you are going to have to be very precise in your choice of words

 

Good Luck

 

In what axis were they "wobbling"?

 

Buckling would suggest movement along the axis of rotation or does it manifest as an eccentricity?

 

I would be more concerned about the latter but that can often happen due to the wheel being centred on the spindle of the balancing machine but on the vehicle its the conical wheelnuts that centre the wheel especially if its not the OE wheel.

 

There are tolerances for eccentricity and run out and if there is no vibration then the wheels could well be within tolerance.

Edited 11 January, 20215 yr by J.R.

On 11/01/2021 at 17:47, J.R. said:

In what axis were they "wobbling"?

 

Buckling would suggest movement along the axis of rotation or does it manifest as an eccentricity?

 

I would be more concerned about the latter but that can often happen due to the wheel being centred on the spindle of the balancing machine but on the vehicle its the conical wheelnuts that centre the wheel especially if its not the OE wheel.

 

There are tolerances for eccentricity and run out and if there is no vibration then the wheels could well be within tolerance.

I'm still waiting to hear back from the wheel repair place about this. Apparently if the rim has just been pushed in like a flat spot then it can be repaired but if it has twisted the wheel around the hub then nothing can be done. Hope fully I hear from them tomorrow. I was expecting to hear back today. As soon as I know the score I will contact the dealer.