2014 Sport Wheel Problems

[DG2408]

New to the forum. Have searched a few different ways and couldn't find any info.

We bought a 2014 Explorer about a year ago and have had nothing but problems with the tires and wheels since we bought it. Tire pressure is always low in multiple tires. Last month we found out one of the wheels was dented on two spots on the inside. One dent cracked all the way through the wheel and is not serviceable. We were quoted $900 to replace it!

Has there been any problems with these wheels? At that price it would be cheaper to replace all of them with new wheels. I have no idea what are good wheels to look for.

Ok here are my questions:

Is there a place to get a new OEM wheel at a decent price?

or

What are good brands to look at to replace all the wheels?

 

[markls8]

The leaks sound like a poor tire installation job, maybe the rim dings were from that too, if you are the original owner and haven't hit or run over anything that could have done the damage. Did the tire show any signs of damage at the points where the rim dings were?

The leak location (use soapy water and look for bubbles) rim, valve stem, valve itself, puncture, will tell you a lot.

The Ex has been on the market long enough now that you should be able to get a set of perfectly good factory rims at a fair price from an automotive recycler. Inspect them closely.

 

[DG2408]

The tire doesn't show any signs of damage. The dealership had no what could have caused the damage as well. My wife has not hit anything or major pot holes to cause this damage.

Really disappointed in the price of the replacement from Ford.

 

[Riley]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/20-FORD-EXP...xplorer|Year:2013&hash=item19f60587b7&vxp=mtr

 

[markls8]

DG - Determining the exact source of the other leaks will go a long way to determining what their cause is, and give you some warrantee recourse, or not. eg. If no leaks… maybe neighbourhood hooligans having fun with you???

Of course, some tires being in the sun, and others shaded can give you several pounds of difference in readings too. (?)

 

[JerryC]

You might look for a place that does wheel repair. I would think that if the crack is small enough that it could hold air for even a day, it could be welded and fixed

 

[DG2408]

You might look for a place that does wheel repair. I would think that if the crack is small enough that it could hold air for even a day, it could be welded and fixed

We looked in to having it repair but the crack goes all the way across.

I haven't found the wheel anywhere cheaper than $400 and that was blemished on ebay.

What are some good brands of wheels to look at to replace all of them. My biggest concern is paying the 400 for a new one only to have another one do the same thing because they are soft wheels.

 

[markls8]

Extremely, extremely unlikely due to soft alloy in the wheels. Manufacturing defects like this do happen, but they are very few and far between. And the technology has come a long way since "mag" wheels were porous and could not support a tubeless tire.

Any chance you could get a picture of the crack? I know it's not easy on the inside of the wheel, but you (I) can tell a lot more about it by looking. Maybe reach under as if doing a selfie and try snapping a few times with flash until you get a good one?

 

[JETZ]

Factory wheels are $$$
I bought a set of Edge Sport 22...over $6K from the dealer.

http://www.hubcaphaven.com/explorer_wheels.htm

We looked in to having it repair but the crack goes all the way across.

I haven't found the wheel anywhere cheaper than $400 and that was blemished on ebay.

What are some good brands of wheels to look at to replace all of them. My biggest concern is paying the 400 for a new one only to have another one do the same thing because they are soft wheels.