'03 Cobra Wheels DID NOT FIT!!!

[02XSport]

Well, as you all know, I've been waiting for these wheels for a while, and finally picked them up today. I went straight to Goodyear to have some 275-55-17 tires put on them so I could take pictures of it later today.

The back fit fine, but the front was a total disaster. The tire rubbed against the upper a-arm joint really bad, and the hub was slightly too large for the wheel to fit over completely. So I had them take the tires back off, and put the stock wheels back on again. Now I guess I'm going to sell these to somebody with a Mustang or somebody that wants to run spacers.

BUT, THE STORY GETS EVEN BETTER, While my truck was on the lift, the air hose used for the air tools broke loose and went flying everywhere, and my brand new Explorer Sport was in the path of this hose the whole time. Well, now I need a new drivers side window, new window tint, new door panel on the drivers side, and there are multiple scratched that will have to be touched up. As soon as this happened, I literally ran outside and my heart stopped as I watched my X get hammered. I then ran on foot to Wal Mart and bought a disposable camera and took pictures of everything for legal reasons. I am SO angry right now. The manager of the Goodyear shop wrote a letter stating that he'd pay for all the damage. I have the worst luck, my wheels don't fit and my explorer is now damaged.

Okay,

I had to vent, sorry.

Derek

 

[section525]

Damn Dude.. that does blow. At least the manager was more than willing to take responsibility (it seems).

 

[jssong]

wow.. that sucks.. u should make him pay for ur damages.. and give u free service and maintenance forvever..

 

[DocVijay]

Originally posted by section525
Damn Dude.. that does blow.

Well, it was an air hose, so yes, I guess it did blow...

 

[james t]

dont sell 'em just yet. you said that the hub was just barely too big? take 2 of them to a machine shop and have the hole opened up a little. they wont have to go all the way through the wheel, just give it enough extra diameter so the hub will fit. it will be completely un-noticable.

you said the tire rubbed on the upper a-arm? i know mine were close when i put them on when the truck was stock, and seemed to move away when i lowered it. this is due to a-arm angles, and i would have to draw a picture to describe it. either way, you can lower it, or run good quality spacers to fix this.

either way, dont give up. you already have the tires/wheels, now make them work.

after all the threads here on mustang wheel problems, you didnt think it was gonna come easy, did you?

 

[02XSport]

Well, I'd like to not give up completely, but spacers are going to run at least $200 for all 4. The only spacers I'd trust are the billet aluminum ones. I didn't pay for the tires, they were ordered from that Goodyear shop, and when they didn't fit, I told them to take the tires off and I'd have to come back. THEN, thats when they f***ed up my explorer. After they did that, they were more than willing to do whatever I wanted them to. They even wanted to order new wheels for me and give me a special discount, but I wanted these '03 wheels instead.

I am going to try to make the best out of a bad situation. I am going to get estimates done on the damage on Tuesday and taking them to Goodyear. I may not repair some of the damage and use the money to buy 20's. I already have 2 friends that have offered to buy these '03 cobra wheels off of me, I'm selling them for $450, so you can't beat that. I expected a little tire rub, but I had no idea that I'd have to get the hole made larger at a shop, which would cost even more money. I will be looking into 20's over the next two weeks, any suggestions??? (Here we go again)

 

[Hartman]

Originally posted by james t
you said the tire rubbed on the upper a-arm? i know mine were close when i put them on when the truck was stock, and seemed to move away when i lowered it. this is due to a-arm angles, and i would have to draw a picture to describe it. either way, you can lower it, or run good quality spacers to fix this.

That's what happened to me. I have no rubbing what so ever now. 02XSport, that's some tough luck. Good luck with your future rim searching process.

 

[james t]

thanks Hartman. im glad someone here knows what im refering to, as i have been told before "i dont know what im talking about", or "lowering it will not change that". glad to see someone finally understood what i meant.

 

[FrankRizzo]

Dude:

THe Saleen rims WONT EVEN TURN (on the front) when the vehicle is lifted in the air, set it down, and I have like and inch.....go try again.

I had billet spacers made at a machine shop for my old Cobra R's for $20.

Good luck. Consider sueing for punitive damages, I think you were damaged emotionally...

 

[02XSport]

damn, I wish I would have thought about that before hand. I didn't even consider the fact that the tires might have cleared if it was off of the lift!!! Thats a very good point though, thanks guys! But because of the fact of the hole not fitting over the hub, I am still going to get different wheels. I will let all of you know what kind of estimate I get on the damage either Tuesday or Thursday, I am getting EVERYTHING fixed or replaced, no matter how small the scratch or how easy the repair. The shop's owner claimed that this was the first time that this has even happened. The worst part was that the hose broke 4 light bulbs and resulted in my Explorer's interior and exterior being covered in white powder and glass, and the manager used a f***ing broom to get it off. Oh well, I am going to Ford and Goodyear WILL be sorry they ever let this happen.

And yes, I was emotionally damaged, I haven't been the same since.

 

[FrankRizzo]

You mean they broke some flourescent tubes, and the phosphor (white stuff) got inside your Exp????

Get that cleaned professionally!!!!

IT CONTAINS MERCURY!!!

Look in the yellow pages for hazardous waste manifesters, and tell them you want your Exp abated.

You have been mentally trespassed upon. Keep track of how much time you spend of this B.S. and send them a bill for your time.

 

[02XSport]

Originally posted by FrankRizzo
You mean they broke some flourescent tubes, and the phosphor (white stuff) got inside your Exp????

Get that cleaned professionally!!!!

IT CONTAINS MERCURY!!!

Look in the yellow pages for hazardous waste manifesters, and tell them you want your Exp abated.

You have been mentally trespassed upon. Keep track of how much time you spend of this B.S. and send them a bill for your time.

MERCURY?!?! HOLY ****!!! Should I be worried?? Because yes, these were flourescent tubes that broke. I am still finding tiny pieces of glass on the outside and inside. Can I get this cleaning included in the estimate from Ford???

 

[DocVijay]

I wouldn't worry too much.

Yes, fluorescent bulbs do contain mercury, but it's mercury vapor. When the bulbs broke, most of the mercury dissipated. The whit powder is the phosphor coating. When the mercury vapor gets excited by electricity, they release UV photons. These hit the phosphor layer, the phosphor glows. The powder is pretty much harmless. The mercury vapor just got diluted in the air. I don't think you need to worry.

 

[FrankRizzo]

uhh......yeah. That's what I was gonna say.
See the mental anguish?????

Point that fact out when negotiating for the pain and suffering award....

 

[02XSport]

Re: I wouldn't worry too much.

Originally posted by DocVijay
Yes, fluorescent bulbs do contain mercury, but it's mercury vapor. When the bulbs broke, most of the mercury dissipated. The whit powder is the phosphor coating. When the mercury vapor gets excited by electricity, they release UV photons. These hit the phosphor layer, the phosphor glows. The powder is pretty much harmless. The mercury vapor just got diluted in the air. I don't think you need to worry.

ohhhh (breath a sigh of relief) Thanks for the info! I was looking around for more damage and found a hole in my headliner, so I guess they are replacing that too, and if it would ever stop raining here in Georgia, I could wash my X and find out where all the scratches really are.

 

[02XSport]

Okay....the verdict is in, I got an estimate at my local Ford Dealership, and it came to $1700.00 for the damage. Now I'm wondering whether Goodyear will give the money to them or to me?! I guess we'll find out, their insurance company is supposed to call me this afternoon. I will let you all know.

 

[hydroxy]

Personally, I wish something like that would happen to me... Except all my paint is only 2 years old (95 X ltd) on the front and sides due to a fender bender, So I need the air hose and gun to land on and scratch up the roof, then go break my runningboards, tear the leather on the front driver's seat, and on its way out pay a visit to my passanger's side headlight.

but... maybe I'm asking for too much?

Hope your x turns out alright, please post some pics.

 

[PUR PONY]

Do you still want to sell the 03 cobra wheels? how much?

later

 

[02XSport]

I am selling the cobra wheels for $450. Here are some pics:

http://www.rangerpowersports.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=62892

I have many people interested, but they are not officially sold just yet. I have one person very serious, and if he backs out, then I will take other offers.

 

[PUR PONY]

Are they brand new?? any scratchs or nicks???