Rim problem with '99 Jeep Grand Cherokee

amireno

I need some advice. My tire started leaking air and so I took it into a tire shop to patch the leak. When they couldn't find anything wrong with the tire, they took the tire off and found out that the rim had a slight split at the seam. He told me that it was a defect and to take it into the dealership since it's still under warranty. Of course when I took it into the dealer, they conclude that it's not a defect and that it was damaged while "backing up into something". The funny thing is, I'm the only one that drives this vehicle and I never backed up into something that would cause such an impact and split the rim. I've never taken it 4 wheelin' and I would hate to imagine what would happen to such a fragile Jeep. Is the dealership taking me for a ride, or could this really happen?

jgmilberg

Is it a one piece rim, or a 2 piece rim with a weld or siicone bead in the center of the rim? If it is a one piece rim i doubt it was something you did. If it is a 2 piece rim the center weld or caulk could have failed over time, try a different dealer if you are not getting the satisfaction out of this one.

flyinlow

This sounds like dealer BS or laziness to me. I assume your Jeep has alloy wheels, either the Laredo or Ltd standard type. We have a '99 also, and although we've had many problems with it, wheels aren't one of them.

It seems to me that if you had damaged the wheel yourself (as opposed to a defect) the tire would also have been damaged. If another dealer doesn't give you satisfaction, go up to the Chrysler area or zone rep.