JFAIR

i'm screwed. i've got an 03 w/factory chromed 18 inch rims. it took the dealership about 3 months for them to get the rims because they were in cali getting dipped. should i give the dealership a call?

Spike100

Here’s the dream scenario…

We all get significant vouchers from Nissan that we can apply to new Volks we purchase from one of the my350Z.com sponsors.

--Spike

DavesZ#3

iTrader: (26)

Boy, you dream big.

From what I gather, this is only related to an issue of re-chromed wheels and nothing else. I can't believe they're going through all this for a few incidences of failure, especially when you consider how few chromed OEM wheels there are out there.

Spike100

^^ I always dream big. Sometimes (but rarely) the dream becomes reality. Remember that we got new front tires on a different issue.

Obviously this is a case of an aftermarket modification compromising safety.

Does anyone know the process of applying chromium-plated metal. It must involve heating the wheel since apparently the metal can become brittle.

--Spike

TreeFiddyZee

iTrader: (19)

Chrome plating is done by electroplating. I suppose that could modify the molecular structure of the wheel itself, but it seems kind of unlikely to me unless massive amounts of electricity were applied. That's more of a loose nut behind the controls than the plating process. I'm just guessing.
http://www.finishing.com/faqs/chrome.html

Spike100

^^ So I wonder why these stock wheels subjected to chromium-plating are failing?

--Spike

TreeFiddyZee

iTrader: (19)

I kinda wonder if the underlying metal is less than high quality. Hmmmm.

VENOMSZ

iTrader: (4)

That's why you don't put chromies an a Z

Spike100

I’m not sure what you mean.

Does chromium plating compromise a wheel’s integrity/strength?

Do you know of other cases (other than Nissan stock wheels) where chromium-plating resulted in broken or cracked wheels?

--Spike

Master Shake

After reading this thread, I got that the problems were related to 2004/05 chrome plated OEM wheels (mostly in California) and also a few 2006+ powder coated wheels. I know the processes are different, but now I'm thinking doing any type of modification to the OEM wheels is not a good idea.

jinsei888

iTrader: (14)

why would it be scam? it says for you to call your local dealer if there is a crack...that would be of no benefit to a scammer; they usually stray you away from the original source of problems...

noobs

350zx6r

so whats up with powder coating 06+ oem wheels? I wanted to do it to mine but I am scared something will happen down the road.

Spike100

^^ I would say do not do it now, and wait until the DOT determines the cause of wheel failures.

--Spike

bender

iTrader: (3)

iStan

iTrader: (29)

Bender, you didn't get the pics of my BAD ones.. The Blue PCed ones you have was the GOOD wheel of mine..

Q45tech

Nissan [and Infiniti] warned dealers as far back as 1991 not to chrome oem wheels as the aftermarket chroming and now power coating had/has the possibilty of causing wheels to crack and fail.

Nissan doesn't sell chrome wheels but some dealers do against advice.

Nissan is totally off hook if anyone changes their wheels! Some wheel cleaners attack the alloy and can cause damage using anything but soap and water removes Nissan liability.

DavesZ#3

iTrader: (26)

Nissan still offers chrome wheels on the website when you "build your Z". When you get to the options page, there is the choice to pick these:

Spike100

^^ The stock chromes are probably safe.

I’m still mystified why electroplating a chromed surface on a stock wheel would cause this type of failure.

Would juxtaposing dissimilar metals (that obviously have different flex-values) be the cause?

This is certainly a strange failure.

--Spike

WSchli1672

At least not the "RAYS".

SIN3

iTrader: (-2)

i heard the OEM wheel craked a few times. but im sure you'll get spam from it too.