cracked rim on my 2010 RX 350
10-30-16, 12:08 PM
#1
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cracked rim on my 2010 RX 350
I'm new to this forum and i tried to search for related posts and didn't find anything. My wife was driving our 2010 RX350 AWD and noticed a vibration. I found a front rim with 3 of the 5 spokes on the rim completely cracked through and the other two 50% cracked. Further inspection I found a second rim cracked but not as bad. This SUV has never been wrecked and has 112K miles on it. We don't recall hitting any large pot holes but rims shouldn't do this. The rims are not damaged except for some bubbling in the chrome and these are OEM rims. Sorta scary thinking what might have happened if she was going highway speeds and the rim broke...BTW therim was on the front right. Will the dealer do anything about this, since its out of warranty?
I previously owned a RX 300 and RX 330 and never had any issues throughout the last 10 years.
I previously owned a RX 300 and RX 330 and never had any issues throughout the last 10 years.
10-31-16, 12:07 AM
#2
WOW, my wife is always reporting noises, vibrations, and all manner of disturbing information; none of which I ever feel, see or hear.
Totally fine with me, we had the steering column replaced, as well as very expensive corrective maintenance on the heating system because of her!
Any chance you can post some of the rim pictures, please?
Totally fine with me, we had the steering column replaced, as well as very expensive corrective maintenance on the heating system because of her!
Any chance you can post some of the rim pictures, please?
Last edited by TheSnowman; 10-31-16 at 12:07 AM. Reason: spelling
10-31-16, 06:40 AM
#3
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You will not get any warranty coverage on the wheel cracks. You are way past any reasonable time/ mileage plus there is the road hazard issue. When replacing them get the entire front suspension checked out due to this issue and your mileage. You could have worn struts, ball joints, wheel bearings.
It appears they have just worn out possibly due to some barely adequate casting or corrosion. I would replace all 4 wheels.
You can trade them in here for a discount on like new repaired/refinished wheels at a big savings over the dealer. I have used them a couple of times http://www.wheelcollision.com/
FYI - 18 inch Highlander wheels or different year RX (2006- 2009) wheels that are 18 inch will also fit if you want a new look.
In the alternative and often even cheaper, there are often OEM used wheels on eBay. When I changed over to 19 inch wheels, I sold my old set on eBay for about $200 plus shipping. Nothing was wrong with them except a bit of curb rash and they had only about 35,000 miles.
Look at these Highlander wheels (same exact size as RX- they are mechanical twins) http://www.ebay.com/itm/2016-TOYOTA-HIGHLANDER-OEM-FACTORY-WHEELS-Set-of-4-18x7-5-OE-Silver-Rims-/182305070137?hash=item2a723a9c39:g:3KMAAOSwV0RXqm7G&vxp=mtr You can swap out the center caps for your Lexus ones.
Finally, check Craigslist as you never know what may be available locally.
It appears they have just worn out possibly due to some barely adequate casting or corrosion. I would replace all 4 wheels.
You can trade them in here for a discount on like new repaired/refinished wheels at a big savings over the dealer. I have used them a couple of times http://www.wheelcollision.com/
FYI - 18 inch Highlander wheels or different year RX (2006- 2009) wheels that are 18 inch will also fit if you want a new look.
In the alternative and often even cheaper, there are often OEM used wheels on eBay. When I changed over to 19 inch wheels, I sold my old set on eBay for about $200 plus shipping. Nothing was wrong with them except a bit of curb rash and they had only about 35,000 miles.
Look at these Highlander wheels (same exact size as RX- they are mechanical twins) http://www.ebay.com/itm/2016-TOYOTA-HIGHLANDER-OEM-FACTORY-WHEELS-Set-of-4-18x7-5-OE-Silver-Rims-/182305070137?hash=item2a723a9c39:g:3KMAAOSwV0RXqm7G&vxp=mtr You can swap out the center caps for your Lexus ones.
Finally, check Craigslist as you never know what may be available locally.
Last edited by Clutchless; 10-31-16 at 01:18 PM.
10-31-16, 07:00 AM
#4
Lexus Champion
Being in Ohio, a damaged rim is not something out of ordinary due to potholes.
However, they usually don't crack spokes. And if one wheel is damaged, the second rim on the same side of the vehicle will likely have some traces of an impact as well.
I've bought aftermarket rims with tires already on them from TireRack. Sounds like yours were due for a replacement anyway due to external corrosion.
However, they usually don't crack spokes. And if one wheel is damaged, the second rim on the same side of the vehicle will likely have some traces of an impact as well.
I've bought aftermarket rims with tires already on them from TireRack. Sounds like yours were due for a replacement anyway due to external corrosion.
10-31-16, 03:43 PM
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Here are a few pics. I took the car to the dealer today and they found cracks in all four wheels. They are being supportive and gave me a loaner car until we hear back from corporate Lexus, its obvious why they deemed my car unsafe to drive. All four wheels sorta proves it wasn't a pot hole. Hopefully they help me with this.
Last edited by BryanL; 10-31-16 at 03:50 PM. Reason: Dealer said he has never seen this before.
11-01-16, 12:10 AM
#6
Thanks for the pictures, I'll know what to watch for.
You have some awesome replies here already; I'll just follow along to see what the outcome is.
With the focus on safety and keeping in mind all the automotive issues over the years, this needs to be dealt with quickly!
You have some awesome replies here already; I'll just follow along to see what the outcome is.
With the focus on safety and keeping in mind all the automotive issues over the years, this needs to be dealt with quickly!
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11-01-16, 10:24 AM
#10
Moderator
They look like 2004-2009 OEM wheels according to the wheel collision inventory. They show a smoke wheel that looks like his chrome wheel, including the bolt holes. Look at this photo:
http://www.wheelcollision.com/store/...X330-RX350.htm
Maybe his is a real early 2010 that got the old wheels, or maybe a dealer did a swap.
http://www.wheelcollision.com/store/...X330-RX350.htm
Maybe his is a real early 2010 that got the old wheels, or maybe a dealer did a swap.
11-01-16, 11:22 AM
#11
Lexus Champion
They may be OEM wheels, but that's not OEM finish. Lexus does "Graphite Polished" look, but not chrome.
What I have seen is wheels being bought to be re-manufactured, then dipped in chrome and sold on e-bay.
In either case, these likely went through a chemical and high temperature treatment.
What I have seen is wheels being bought to be re-manufactured, then dipped in chrome and sold on e-bay.
In either case, these likely went through a chemical and high temperature treatment.
11-01-16, 12:20 PM
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Thanks for comments but some of you assume to much
These were not eBay wheels, they are OEM wheels put on by Lexus before we took delivery. They had chrome wheels available at dealer ship. I agree someone chromed they but chroming wheels do not cause this.
11-02-16, 06:14 AM
#15
Racer
Still can't help but think WOW (and not the good WOW). 100% failure rate on rims with no obvious impact damage. If it was a factory defect with this high failure rate you'd think it would be a rampant problem that would make big news. Without that, it seems something especially bad must have happened to these 4 particular rims.