BORG Posted December 27, 2008 Share Posted December 27, 2008 One of the chrome clad wheels on my Lincoln MKX is rusting. I had no idea these were steel, but indeed I have a healthy rust spot on the edge of my wheel where I dent it a slight bit after hitting a curb. I have ALWAYS hated the concept of 'Chrome Clad'. Every chrome wheel I've owned until now were gorgeous solid alloys. This will absolutely be the last time I get a car with chrome clad. If they corrode this easily, then wait a few years and you'll see a bunch of chrome clads in horrible condition. I'm going to take this to the dealer, see if this is covered under warranty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted December 27, 2008 Share Posted December 27, 2008 One of the chrome clad wheels on my Lincoln MKX is rusting. I had no idea these were steel, but indeed I have a healthy rust spot on the edge of my wheel where I dent it a slight bit after hitting a curb. I have ALWAYS hated the concept of 'Chrome Clad'. Every chrome wheel I've owned until now were gorgeous solid alloys. This will absolutely be the last time I get a car with chrome clad. If they corrode this easily, then wait a few years and you'll see a bunch of chrome clads in horrible condition. I'm going to take this to the dealer, see if this is covered under warranty. Good luck with your problem. My Flex has polished aluminum or whatever it is, so hopefully I won't have to worry about that. I don't really like the idea of 'chrome clad' either, although most won't really notice (unless something like this happens to them). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ovaltine Posted December 27, 2008 Share Posted December 27, 2008 One of the chrome clad wheels on my Lincoln MKX is rusting. I had no idea these were steel, but indeed I have a healthy rust spot on the edge of my wheel where I dent it a slight bit after hitting a curb. I have ALWAYS hated the concept of 'Chrome Clad'. Every chrome wheel I've owned until now were gorgeous solid alloys. This will absolutely be the last time I get a car with chrome clad. If they corrode this easily, then wait a few years and you'll see a bunch of chrome clads in horrible condition. I'm going to take this to the dealer, see if this is covered under warranty. If the dealer thing doesn't work out, how about a little bit of fine steel wool and some chrome cleaner, followed by a coat of wax? At least the rust part of it will be put into remission. -Ovaltine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edstock Posted December 27, 2008 Share Posted December 27, 2008 Also, check around for local plating shops, who may be able to fix, if the dealer is no help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiefstang Posted December 27, 2008 Share Posted December 27, 2008 Odd... The Ford "Chrome Clad" wheels are definitely plastic.... And $800! That is what we in the industry call "gaffe". Complete "gaffe"... ...Or bullshit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyle Posted December 27, 2008 Share Posted December 27, 2008 I think these wheels are plastic chrome over a steel wheel. Last year Ford had a ton of problems with the Edge wheels along with them being on national back order. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BORG Posted December 27, 2008 Author Share Posted December 27, 2008 I think these wheels are plastic chrome over a steel wheel. Last year Ford had a ton of problems with the Edge wheels along with them being on national back order. I thought they were plastic as well, and then it dented and started to rust, so indeed they are steel. And the description of the wheels is chrome clad alloy or aluminum wheels. So they are probably chrome steel over alloy wheels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theDuff Posted December 27, 2008 Share Posted December 27, 2008 The Edge has a similar problem with their "chrome clad wheels." The wheels corrode severely around the wheel lip and the chrome plastic whatever cover thing starts lifting off the wheel. We've replaced many under warranty. They just start looking awful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildosvt Posted December 28, 2008 Share Posted December 28, 2008 One of the chrome clad wheels on my Lincoln MKX is rusting. I had no idea these were steel, but indeed I have a healthy rust spot on the edge of my wheel where I dent it a slight bit after hitting a curb. I have ALWAYS hated the concept of 'Chrome Clad'. Every chrome wheel I've owned until now were gorgeous solid alloys. This will absolutely be the last time I get a car with chrome clad. If they corrode this easily, then wait a few years and you'll see a bunch of chrome clads in horrible condition. I'm going to take this to the dealer, see if this is covered under warranty. With improper care you might. The wheel plating you have is nothing new. 04 Cobra, 02 Harley F150 both use that coating. My Dad has a 02 Harley F150 and his wheels look as good as the day he bought the truck, Even thru Michigan winters. But he has never hit a curb with his either. They will warrant them if there is pitting. Im not sure what they will do for curb rash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted December 28, 2008 Share Posted December 28, 2008 Most modern chrome applications are pickle and dip without a copper base. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BORG Posted December 28, 2008 Author Share Posted December 28, 2008 With improper care you might. The wheel plating you have is nothing new. 04 Cobra, 02 Harley F150 both use that coating. My Dad has a 02 Harley F150 and his wheels look as good as the day he bought the truck, Even thru Michigan winters. But he has never hit a curb with his either. They will warrant them if there is pitting. Im not sure what they will do for curb rash. No no, the examples you cite are solid alloy wheels. I'm talking about chrome clad, which are glorified chrome hubcaps bolted over alloy wheels. They are terrible and I was really disgusted when I discovered this. There is nothing you can do to prevent these form going bad quickly! You can scratch the hell out of chromed alloy wheels, and they won't rust, crack, or pop off. You nick these chrome clad ones, and they go bad. It really saddens me to think how bad these wheels are going to look as these cars age. And believe me, I take really good care of my cars! We're talking about top-of-the-line detailing once a week! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikedc3 Posted December 28, 2008 Share Posted December 28, 2008 You hit a curb, damaged your wheel, and you want Ford to pay? WTF, don't hit curbs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BORG Posted December 28, 2008 Author Share Posted December 28, 2008 (edited) You hit a curb, damaged your wheel, and you want Ford to pay? WTF, don't hit curbs. A minor dent to your wheels on $44,000 Lincoln should not result in rusting! Wheels need to withstand minor scratches without going bad within 1 year of ownership! I have had tons of Lincolns before, first one with this chrome clad nonsense, and nothing like this problem has occurred! It just goes to show you that my instincts on this were right, I knew I didn't want this chrome clad nonsense and I didn't pay attention to it! I'll take a photo and post it once I get the car cleaned sometime this week. You'll see how minor the dent is. And I've never manage to 'dent' a wheel before, but this is flimsy junk. You can flex them with your fingers like a hubcap. Edited December 28, 2008 by BORG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A_L_Hubcaps Posted December 28, 2008 Share Posted December 28, 2008 Just a few pieces of information... All of the "Chrome Clad" (Ford and Chrysler term) or "Chrome Tech" (GM term) wheels that I have seen are cast aluminum wheels with a chromed plastic face glued to the wheel. The face is not removable (or at least, is not meant to ever be removed). There is no steel anywhere in these wheels. I haven't seen the MKX wheel up close, so maybe something is different with that one, but I'm speaking in general. The reason these chrome clad wheels exist is twofold. (1) Directly chroming a cast aluminum wheel is a very expensive process. Typically, on cars that had optional chromed aluminum wheels, the option cost was $500-800 just for the upgrade from regular aluminum to chromed. (2) Chromed alloys had a lot of problems with peeling in the bead seat area causing persistent air leaks. With the chrome clad wheels, there is no plating in that area (because just the plastic face is plated) and this problem does not occur. What I think they should do is just change the design so the chromed faces are easily removable. That way, when a problem like this occurs, just the face can be replaced and not the whole wheel. GM's "Fascia Spoke" wheels (which ARE steel wheels under the plastic covers) are like this. The face is just like a normal wheel cover that is easily replaced. -Andrew L Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildosvt Posted December 28, 2008 Share Posted December 28, 2008 No no, the examples you cite are solid alloy wheels. I'm talking about chrome clad, which are glorified chrome hubcaps bolted over alloy wheels. They are terrible and I was really disgusted when I discovered this. There is nothing you can do to prevent these form going bad quickly! You can scratch the hell out of chromed alloy wheels, and they won't rust, crack, or pop off. You nick these chrome clad ones, and they go bad. It really saddens me to think how bad these wheels are going to look as these cars age. And believe me, I take really good care of my cars! We're talking about top-of-the-line detailing once a week! Oh I see, Im sorry. I recall you mentioning your passion for keeping her clean though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted December 28, 2008 Share Posted December 28, 2008 What I think they should do is just change the design so the chromed faces are easily removable. That way, when a problem like this occurs, just the face can be replaced and not the whole wheel. But then there's the increased likelyhood that they could come off during normal vehicular activities. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F250 Posted December 28, 2008 Share Posted December 28, 2008 But then there's the increased likelyhood that they could come off during normal vehicular activities. Not if the cover is secured by the lug nuts like wheel covers used to be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F250 Posted December 28, 2008 Share Posted December 28, 2008 (edited) All of the "Chrome Clad" (Ford and Chrysler term) or "Chrome Tech" (GM term) wheels that I have seen are cast aluminum wheels with a chromed plastic face glued to the wheel. The face is not removable (or at least, is not meant to ever be removed). There is no steel anywhere in these wheels. I haven't seen the MKX wheel up close, so maybe something is different with that one, but I'm speaking in general. -Andrew L The 17" Chrome-Clad wheels on the 2004-2008 F-150's are over the standard steel wheels. Edited December 28, 2008 by F250 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elmy311 Posted December 28, 2008 Share Posted December 28, 2008 Anyone know what the process was for the Ford Explorer Limited chrome wheels that came standard in 04 and 05 because those wheels are the worst wheels i've yet to see on a vehicle in my 8 years running a detailing shop. A close second is the junk that pontiac (GM) uses for all their cars. The 17" Chrome-Clad wheels on the 2004-2008 F-150's are over the standard steel wheels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
syrtran Posted December 28, 2008 Share Posted December 28, 2008 Just a few pieces of information... All of the "Chrome Clad" (Ford and Chrysler term) or "Chrome Tech" (GM term) wheels that I have seen are cast aluminum wheels with a chromed plastic face glued to the wheel. The face is not removable (or at least, is not meant to ever be removed). There is no steel anywhere in these wheels. I haven't seen the MKX wheel up close, so maybe something is different with that one, but I'm speaking in general. Isn't it possible that Borg's wheels are - just like in the "good ole days" of the Cragar S/S - forged alloy center with a steel rim(*)? This might be true of many of today's alloy wheels for a couple reasons: 1. A steel rim is slightly better when hitting a bad pothole at speed, as the steel flexes a little bit where aluminum alloy could shatter. 2. It's quite a bit cheaper to manufacture a steel rim than an alloy rim. (*) Note: the term 'rim' is used here in its proper meaning of "the outside ring of a wheel." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A_L_Hubcaps Posted December 28, 2008 Share Posted December 28, 2008 The 17" Chrome-Clad wheels on the 2004-2008 F-150's are over the standard steel wheels. You're right, I wasn't even thinking about that type. GM and Chrysler use those too, on pickup trucks. They use thin, pressed-on stainless steel faces that are a direct flush fit against the underlying steel wheel (so the same wheel style is usually offered in both silver painted and chrome clad). These don't have problems with peeling/corrosion because the "chrome" faces are really stainless steel. That wouldn't work so well on a wheel where the face design doesn't perfectly conform to the underlying wheel design. If you look at those chrome-clad alloys from the back, you'll sometimes see that there's thick plastic or even foam filler between the actual wheel and the chrome face. But then there's the increased likelyhood that they could come off during normal vehicular activities. As a hubcap dealer I would be happy with that arrangement But seriously, they don't have to use "bang-on" retention. They could bolt under the lugs, or they could use the locking lug caps like GM (and previously Ford) uses to retain its wheel covers. Those only fly off when you install them wrong. -Andrew L Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted December 28, 2008 Share Posted December 28, 2008 Not if the cover is secured by the lug nuts like wheel covers used to be. Gotcha, didn't think of that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GT-Keith Posted December 29, 2008 Share Posted December 29, 2008 ZOOOMG my car is riding funny... After I hit that ditch at 95mph. :mellow: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikedc3 Posted December 29, 2008 Share Posted December 29, 2008 ZOOOMG my car is riding funny... After I hit that ditch at 95mph. :mellow: A $44,000 car should not run funny just from striking a ditch at 95 MPH. You should never buy another Ford product again. What a POS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GT-Keith Posted December 29, 2008 Share Posted December 29, 2008 ^^^^I was being ironic... One of the chrome clad wheels on my Lincoln MKX is rusting.... I dent it a slight bit after hitting a curb -BORG Notice I said 'hitting a ditch at 95mph'... If you vehicle drives away unscathed after that then it must've been crafted God himself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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