Chrometech Rims: Corrosion around lip and warranty

[Dave C]

Not sure if this is the right forum, mods feel free to move it... just let me know where to.

Now on topic:
I've had my car for 2 years (with 2 Michigan winters) and ~30,000 mi. About a year ago, I noticed that the paint on the chrometechs around the lip was starting to chip and the metal underneath has some white rust/corrosion on it. It is happening on all 4 rims, some more than others (and is getting pretty bad). Does anyone else have this problem? Is it covered by warranty? If not, how much would it cost to have them refinished?

[XoticGA]

I have the problem on one of mine.. I doubt it's warrantied..

[Dave C]

I was thinking it could be a paint adhesion problem. It seems as if they all start down in that crack around the lip, then work out from there.

[XoticGA]

could be... Mine's not on the rim just yet, just that outter lip kinda of like where it folds..

[00SilverGA]

I have some bubbling on mine and I assume that they will eventually end up like yours. :(

[WicMiss]

Im having the same problem with one rim, looks like a crack or small chunk is missing with white underneath it looks like dave said corrosion or a power type substance, also have some bubble gum looking gunk (no its not gum) on the outter edge near the tires... We also have bad winters here in ohio.. and ugh the salt.

Seems another member posted also under the Detailing and Cleaning forum... sounds like the same problem..

Im calling pontiac tommorrow to see what the warranties are, for those of us that have the 04' our warranty will be up very soon..

Psss.... Gotta Brag ! Dave IM sitting at 18,140 miles on my 04':D

[WicMiss]

Hmmm Daves thread made me think are all our rims the same Chrometech rims.
And if the GT's with the option package which says Premium chrome rims. Are these chrome cladded plastic, or are they chrome plated aluminium, Chrome or something else...?

Or was that a dumb question and i should stay off the internet at 3am...lol

[WicMiss]

So as I said I would I called Gm this a.m. Heres the # i called 1-800-263-3777. ** Important to say your zip code and then speak Pontiac when prompted, then i hit 0 for operator. I got thru gave my info, explained the problem, the operator made a file. When i explained it seems im not the only one having a problem with my rims and told her about others from this post she said thats important and took down the GAOC forum's name and advised me to have you guys/gals that are having a problem call in also.

So from there she did some research... stated they have had several complaints about the rims and premium rims from the 03-05 GA's.... Of course she did state everyones situation will be diffrent but we have to take the car to a dealership have them comfirm its a manufacture problem, give the dealership the file # that you created with the operator and then they will replace the rims for you.

From previous complaints the operator stated its a plating problem and some of the rims when casted came out softer than they should have been....

*** Remember everyones situation maybe diffrent BUT!!! this is a know problem with the Pontiac Grand-Ams******

Phew that was a long phone and a lot of typing but hope it helps


Donna

[Dave C]

awesome, thanks Donna :D

And yes, that was a stupid question :P Just kidding. I have the torqued chrometech rims. I think the rims are cast aluminum, and painted. I'd be happy if they replaced them, but does that mean I'll get a new set just to have the same thing happen in another year?

I have so many miles from driving home from school to see my girlfriend for the past two years. In addition, my summer job is ~45 mins from my house :(

[WicMiss]

Good question and true, it may happen again... but if they replace them now at least you / we wont have to deal with the extra $$ expense now.. Also from what the lady said or at least she made it sound like some of the rims were a bad casting/painitng or what ever they do to them ..

Now i admit im not real knowledgeble with the rims, chrome, cast etc etc.. but i can sure pick up the phone and use the internet search and im a woman so you know im good at complaining :P

Aww Dave i was just teasing ya about the miles, I got lucky with mine. Took me 2 months to find this one.

[00SilverGA]

Well my car is a 2000 but i got the rims off a 2001. Does that mean I am not eligible for this warranty thing?

[WicMiss]

Jesse . not really sure on that one. Id call that # listed above in the post and see what the operator says the warranties are. Im leaning more towards no because they came from a diffrent vehicle and they did say a dealership does have to put the work order. I have an appt Friday for mine, so we will know more then.

[Matt95GT]

Just for clarification... all "chrometec" wheels are chromed plastic that is bonded to an aluminum wheel. I got to see the individual pieces during GAP03, where the chrometec guys (apparently an outside company GM contracted with) had a tent.

http://ice8420.com/iceman/gap03/normal_IMG_2027.JPG

http://ice8420.com/iceman/gap03/normal_IMG_2028.JPG

Just a thought for those that had your original tires replaced, make sure you don't have the old-style "clip to rim" tire balancing weights attached. I'm sure they could damage the chrometec wheel lips when being attached, and GM is most likely aware of that too.

[Dave C]

It's okay Donna, I actually enjoy driving my car a lot :) Let me know how the appointment turns out!

my rims came with that kind of balancing weight, from GM...

[Matt95GT]

Originally posted by Dave C
my rims came with that kind of balancing weight, from GM...

I bet GM uses a bit of care when they put em on... it's Joe mechanic at the tire shops that I've seen really gouge the lips of wheels during tire install/balancing.

[WicMiss]

Well the appointment went pretty good. Went in for brakes and rims and they did other warranty work also.. Heres the line up. Tommorrow (monday) the brakes are taken care of , calipers and rotors.. Then 2 weeks from now she goes in again for the rims. The 2 rear rims are being replaced for sure and when shes in the shop the manager will look at the front closer and i may end up with 4 new rims. While the car was in the shop they also checked for the LIM problem just because and they did other test and adjustments... Shes running great and seems to have a bit more power after they did a tune up. The only thing i paid for was the oil change.

[WicMiss]

psss... I didnt get to talk to the guy who did the work on my car he was gone by time i went to pick her up. But they wrote the rims up as "Flaking and Bubbling" Warranty work

[Tidester]

Dave, where did you get your hvac rings. I want some red ones.

[Dave C]

you mean the ones around the vents, right?

I just pulled them out and painted (Krylon Fusion sticks to plastic well). You can also buy vinyl if you want something less-permanent (I think they have kits on ebay, or you could stop by a sign-making shop in your area and ask for some scrap).

[Tidester]

Thanks Dave,

Were they hard to remove and replace? What tools did you use. I am always afraid of breaking something or not being able to get it back in.

[WicMiss]

If you break something theres always the local junkyard. I've seen many GA's in ours.

[Dave C]

I don't have them myself, but it didn't sound like people had a problem putting them on. It might take some time to get the glue off if you remove them, though.

[Dave C]

Well, I took care of my problem today...

First, I tried calling that number Donna posted, but it was for GM Canada. They gave me the number for Pontiac: 800-762-2737. I called, they were useless and told me to go to the dealer.

At the dealership they gave me sort of a hard time (because the wheels were really dirty), but said they would replace them. Although, they were dirty because I didn't clean them last time I washed the car, simply for the fact that they were already crappy looking from the corrosion.

They said that the problem was from not cleaning them often enough, although at the onset of this corrosion the car was less than a year old and I would wash it (including spraying down the wheels) every 2-3 weeks?? I mentioned the possible casting problem, and the tech shrugged it off saying I needed to take better care of the wheels.

I guess that having dirty wheels would be the reason for the corrosion to start, but that process could definately be compounded by a defect in casting.

Anyways, the tech said that the wheels should be waxed in addition to regular cleaning... So if you are getting a new set, you had better wax the suckers down and clean them often if you want decent looking wheels after your warranty is up.

[WicMiss]

Oops sorry for posting the wrong number. Glad they replaced for you. I knew you would have to take the car to the dealer , but the reason for calling GM was to put the problem with the rims on file.

Any way, i didnt get the speal about dirty rims causes the problem, The guys at the garage told me it was flaking because the chrome over coat has a hard time adhearing to plastic.. Bottom line we got the rims replaced so that what matters.