Broken wheel spoke

[Matt400]

Weld Wheel / American Racing Broken wheel spoke

Weld wheels Forged, thought they would be the strongest for an aftermarket upgrade but washing the truck today I see a spoke is broken all the way around. Anybody seen that?

 

[donnier]

I would be contacting the manufacturer or whereever you got them from and inform them about the problem before it gets any worse.

 

[Bob4x4]

Back in the day... ... ... . we would never use alloy wheels off road. now the mfgs have promised us they will hold up. I have gone through a number of wheels,so I guess for some they hold up for some of us they do not. I am guessing Weld will replace your wheel since there are no signs of impact.

I am also pretty sure you have lost a bit of confidence in Weld



Bob

 

[Matt400]

Bad news-

1) When American Racing aquired Weld Wheels in Aug. 2006 they did not accept libility of wheels purchased before that date. I don't recall the date & my tire guy is checking into it.



2) This design wheel is no longer made.



Will be a bummer if I have to buy a complete set due to this. #@$%!

 

[Matt400]

Update-

American Racing "so far" will not help me on this. $2000. 00 down the tubes.

I have searched for a used one online but nothing yet. Further more the word out there is this wheel is known for this trouble so buying just one (if I could find one) is a gamble.



I would think buying a business would include customer support on previous product if you were planning to maintain your reputation, afterall AR still sells Weld products under the same name.

I hope I wont become a basher of American Racing products, we have AR's on our Jeep too.



I am going to try an get them to cut me a discounted deal on a set of 4 since that design is no longer made. I just won't feel right knowing someone is profiting again on my bank account so would buy eleswhere before that happens. Surely AR would not expect people to pay full price for another set in a case like this. I would feel differently if they were no longer selling under the Weld name.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

a local friend of mine has a Powerstroke and had a Weld wheel crack the same way!!! different model, but it's a forged Weld wheel similar to this. The model he has are on unknown backorder. He was forced to buy another off of ebay.



needless to say, he's a bit steamed about the whole thing!

 

[Matt400]

A warning update for those who think Welds might be a better product now. .



When the 24. 4 million dollar buyout took place only 20 people employed at Weld were laid off so the wheels are built in the same facility by the same people today.



Additionally it appears Greg Weld is back in business already along with a $50,000. 00 trademark Infringement lawsuit.



Welds now have a reduced warranty Weld Product Warranty they have posted.

All Sports Forged TM and Crusher TM wheels under the Weld Brand will be free from structural failure and free from defects in material and workmanship, under normal and intended use for a period of three (3) years from retail purchase, as long as the original retail purchaser owns the product.

 

[MartyK]

I had a poor experience with Weld Wheels also. I had purchased the Kore / Weld wheels. The chrome was peeling off all four of the wheels while still under warranty. After numerous phone calls and e-mails to Kore and Weld I sent my wheels to Weld. To make a long story short, Weld scrapped my wheels, did not tell me this, and did not have replacement wheels to offer me. After all was said and done, I did get my money refunded for the wheels, but I still have a set of 18” tires without any wheels.



I will not purchase a Weld product again.



Marty

 

[Matt400]

How disappointing to hear this is so wide spread. I called our Chrysler parts department yesterday for parts and mentioned it in conversation only to find that the guy on the other end of the phone also has a broken Weld wheel. Maybe the NHTSA would like to know about this.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

I'm probably a stick in the mud, but what's wrong w/ the factory alloys?

 

[Matt400]

I always thought they were ugly, especially the trash truck hub cap. I suppose its like anything else when modding, nothing wrong with a stock motors dependability either.



The OEM wheels are looking pretty good right about now, wish I didn't sell them.

 

[opjohnny]

That's a crying shame. I love the looks of the Weld/Kore wheel. They look great, that's why you bought them. You will be able to find one in due time but I hope it will be is as good of shape as your set. Yours look brand new.

 

[Matt400]

Some relief has come-

At 2K for wheels alone I was not taking no for an answer, it took a little more push so American Racing has given consideration for my loss.

They were willing to send me a replacement at no charge but the Renegade is all gone now.



What I get is one wheel free and 3 more at their cost which ends up less than what 4 used oem wheels go for on ebay and was about to do if I didn't get any help. The replacement set will not be as nice at the Weld Renegades but will have a lifetime structual warranty so I am happy to do business with them.



The 3 Renegades I have that are good will go up for sale in a couple weeks.

Buy just one, two or all three for anyone with my same trouble that needs a spare.

I could have opted for Welds again in this deal (at more money) but since I already lost the 2K I am keeping costs down with these:

#ad

 

[rbattelle]

I always thought they were ugly, especially the trash truck hub cap. I suppose its like anything else when modding, nothing wrong with a stock motors dependability either.

OUCH! :-laf I like the factory wheels... and the obscenely-oversized center caps! [Actually, I secretly wish the center caps were made of iron and used lug nuts long enough to actually stick through them a bit... don't tell anyone. ]



Sorry to hear about that Weld wheel, but it's good that AR is doing something (however small). I like the wheels you picked out. The dark gray look is nice.



Ryan

 

[Matt400]

[Actually, I secretly wish the center caps were made of iron and used lug nuts long enough to actually stick through them a bit... don't tell anyone. ]

You need help Ryan. . :-laf

 

[HOBrian]

Glad to see it is not going to cost you an arm and leg, well maybe just an arm to get some really nice rims. I hope these last a long time!!!

 

[Matt400]

Thanks, I was having buyers remorse "Paying" money to pull my chrome Renegades off so in a last minute decision changed my mind to these:

Dunno what the 8 lug will look like. They are 17x8 with 5" back space.

#ad

 

[BBoling]

Seems it worked out to some degree, glad to hear it. POST SOME PICS W/NEW WHEELS!

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Matt the Weld Renegade was one wheel I had my heart set on for years, never could bring myself to plunk down the $$$ for them. Now after reading this I'm glad I didn't. I was looking at 20s.

Hey if you were interested in 18" wheels I have a set of Weld Monsoons I'd make you a deal on, I never put them on because there wasn't quite enough backspace for my tastes to work on a 2wd. They're 8. 5" wide, 5. 25" backspace, have 5 of them, they're directional with 2 spinning one way and 3 the other.


#ad

 

[Matt400]

if you were interested in 18" wheels I have a set of Weld Monsoons I'd make you a deal on

Wow, those are nice and would go great on a 4x4, same back space as my Renegades.

I already took the deal with American Racing so don't need more wheels.



18's are a great size for 4x4's as there is good tire selections like 275/70R18 in lots of brands & tread styles for a full 33. 5" diameter yet not too wide like I like. Plus a ton of other sizes to go bigger if your into that.

It wasn't till after I ordered my replacement 17's that I got a hair to get new rubber and started looking only to find that dimensionally I wanted what a 275/70/18 offers but in a 17. Had I known I would have asked for 18's as a replacement.



My new wheels came in so I took a spin by our tire shop for a peek and was happy to see the 8 lug wheel has 8 spokes instead of the 6 I posted a pic of.

Looks real nice to me so I don't feel so bad about the Renegades now.

The tires will be 295/70R17E Toyo M/T 3970 LB rated. Its been 20 years since I ran a M/T on a pick up so hope I am not disappointed.

POST SOME PICS W/NEW WHEELS!

I will do that, waiting on new tires now.