Chrome Clad Wheels Clicking Noise

[TampaBay_2012RT+]

Warning...I am climbing onto my soapbox So make sure that you grab some Popcorn and a beer

I definitely agree that the Chrome Clad was not a good idea from a consumer point of view, but they are making money off of these cheaply made wheels for sure!

My wifes wheels are so loud with that popping and cracking and it is the stupid plastic popping against the wheels both sides!
We live in a cul-de-sac and it is embarrassing when she pulls into it and that terrible noise on a beautiful car with less than 8K on it.

It is Not the Employees fault....it is a poor decision by execs to save a lot of money and overcharge at the initial sale of the vehicles on these subpar plastic wheels.

Seriously...how much would you be willing to pay for a brand new set of these or similar Chrome Clad wheels if you were at a local Tire/Wheel Shop? What do we really pay for them in the true markup price of the vehicle?

I used to sell Pontiac/GMC's, One thing I can say for sure is that in the Automotive Sales Business Nothing is really Free..Not even the SiriusXM/Travel Link for a year...You paid something for it...It's just not listed under SiriusXM!

The Forged Polished Aluminum Wheels or even the Envy wheels are a more reliable, and all around better bargain for what you pay.

Ford is also and has been dealing with this Chrome Clad issue on a much larger scale last I heard. Nissan had major issues with Chrome Clad also. Sorry but they are Junk!

I think that the concept is very Similar to those plastic wheel covers ($9.99 -19.99 per set) at the big box store to make steel wheels look better after you lost a hubcap or two. Cheap Plastic only difference it that ours are Glued onto an aluminum rim and eventually many will fail the stress of heat, cold, turning...etc.

Other challenger owners have this same issue and a couple in another online Challenger Forum under the title of "Chrome Clad Question" also suggested to remove and lubricate the plastic center caps....Tried it (others have too with limited to zero success)..on my wifes Challenger it is clearly both wheels and redoing the center caps didn't stop the clicking...repeat "it did not remove the noise" and it is easily noticed.

...As one former employee that used to make these Chrome Clad Wheels said he knows what the issue is as the adhesive sometimes fails and it is time to throw em away.."It Is A Warranty Issue and the Dealer Should Replace The Wheels" If not, it will keep coming back until finally your warranty is over or your chrome completely separates or cracks and you are outta time outta luck!

The former employee that used to make these chrome clad wheels went on to say that if your dealer will not replace them then it is time to find a better dealer.

In my experience, It is not always your service manager that makes the firm decision on major warranty replacements.

Most often it is Chrysler LLC Regional/District Service Managers That Have the Ultimate Say on The Dealer's Service Department Warranty Issues.

Some of those district service managers are good, honest, and provide true customer care. While some others are just there to shoot the she-it with service department personnel, drink coffee, doughnuts, and draw a paycheck. All of this while daydreaming in their minds how they wish they had the kahunas to literally pi$$ on the customers that complain and want a broken or defective part replaced.

Chrysler will soon be weeding those Non-Customer Caring managers out of the field and send them back to the inside doing assembly, stock and/or pulling parts if they are not careful.

These handful of A$$ Clowns are like a weak link in a timing chain...when they make the company have a bad reputation the customers start making noise, everyone can hear it, sales slow, people get laid off, and plants close...the corporate engine completely fails.

I do not want that to ever happen to Chrysler Group LLC...I never want to see or drive a "K" car again! lol

I am very happy that Chrysler Group LLC is on an upswing and the actual productive employees seem to care a lot and truly have pride in their work .... Kudos to all of you and thank you for caring!

Sorry if I hurt anyones feelings here as it is not my intent, but even though I am UAW Family Raised...

The truth is that the Unions are not all like they used to be and there are a few Mid Level Supervisors/Managers that are technically still a part of the UAW that do not care to do their jobs and are giving the rest of the Real UAW Members(The productive employee's) a big black eye.

They are endangering this past years surge in sales to recede by refusing to do the right things when things go wrong. Dealerships have to fight for the customer more times than you could imagine with some of these Reps!

BTW: This is Definitely Not Just an Issue at Chrysler ...The others have their similar issues as well.

I think that we all know that Good & Fair Customer Satisfaction will keep consumers coming back to buy a product ONLY if they get honest caring service after the sale.

The employee's that are truly at the heart of building our cars, getting our parts, etc... are at the mercy of others in the link to provide service After The Sale.

I Thank All of Those Dedicated Employees on The Line that Put together and Create our Machines and we share their pride every time we look at it, sit in it, and drive it.

Everyone needs a job and all too often one small percentage of Uncaring Reps can result in a domino effect to cost those that do their jobs.

My point is that District/Regional Service Managers Must use HONESTY and show people you do Care, if you know it is a problem...Replace it... Period!

Those few District Reps need to stop acting like insurance adjusters protecting investors by spewing the lies and deception in order to avoid paying a legitimate claim by saying things like..."I've never heard of any complaints on that issue....so Mr Customer you are wrong".

Can not duplicate the problem or Noise is normal....BS!

Many of us do not work in service or in the industry at all and we know there are plenty of reported issues similar to or exactly like ours.

Any service bulletins even those not released to the public should be known by these Reps and when the customer says the magic words of an issue they are having that is legit...do not argue...Just check it out...Fix Right or Replace It.

Easy Stuff for a Rep to authorize with a yes or a signature. Just Fix it or Replace It!

Believe me...I have better things to do and have no desire to drive to and sit at a dealer's service department for hours...if I am there I have a legitimate complaint and I want it fixed...I've wasted way too much time in these service area waiting rooms. makes me want to start smoking again...I will never do that!

Ok I am pretty much done with my rant so I'll step down off my soapbox now.
For the record I do love the Challenger and want to see it around for a long time...long Live The Hemi V8!

Thanks for letting me vent to you My Challenged I mean Challenger Family

Now I need another beer!

[TampaBay_2012RT+]

Originally Posted by Unit453

I have it too Greg. Just noticed it now that it's cool enough to drop the windows and turn off the a/c.

Linda's if freaking awful....I'll let you know if I have any progress and know that you'll do the same.

[TampaBay_2012RT+]

Originally Posted by toxic13

Tampa RT, sorry to hear about your surgery, had two disks replaced myself several years ago and recovery is slow.

@Toxic13 thank you for your comment on the spine surgery. I hope that yours is healing better than mine!

I still have crazy stupid burning in my arms and hands, aching pain, tingling, in both arms predominantly the left, and the feeling in my left hand fingers is almost completely non-existent (especially the three middle ones).

I can not type with it at all because I can't feel the keys and spell-check is in OD!

The Doc's still have me limited to Sedentary and only on occasion I am allowed to lift 5-10 lbs as tolerated.

I contribute it becoming as bad as it is due to Work Comp delays in approving the tests, specialists, and surgery while my nerve roots were severely compressed on the right and Completely on the left C5-6-7.

11 months and 3 days I spent in that continual pain awaiting on W-Comp to approve the surgery...intentional delays ... they play games and get away with it ....

Several of my nerve paths especially the median nerves have little to no response on the NCV/EMG and deficits in both arms C5-6 & C6-7 even after the delayed surgery and are probably permanently damaged now.
Never get hurt at work in this state! And my injury was even found to be Zero % my fault. I have learned a lot about trust and faith in insurance..lol Insurance Adjusters and Me are No Longer Best Buds!

I hope that you are doing much better!

[hawaii1970]

I picked up my car today from the dealer.

The service guy explains that the front wheels were removed and the wheel where it mounts to the hub, and hub were cleaned.

He explains that there used to be a TSB for Dodge Chargers with Chrome Clad wheels in the past, and that was the way to fix the clicking issue on the Chargers.

He also explained that the TSB for the Charger Chrome Clads is no longer in their system, and this is the first time they are seeing anything like this with the Challenger.

Basically road dirt, grime etc. can get into that area, and cause the clicking noises.

I am going to monitor for now, and if the clicking returns I will request for wheel replacements.

Thanks,
Hawaii1970

[Cuda Cliff]

I have not had this issue with My Wifes Chrysler or my Challenger as both have the Chrome Clads (Thank You Chrysler Group )!! BUT I am not waiting! This Summer I should have the $2000+ dollars saved to buy the SRT Stinger Wheels for my Challenger! ..... Not sure if I will sell my Chrome Clads or just box em up and put them in Storage?

[STINGER392]

Originally Posted by Hal H

Virtually all the US makes have chrome clad wheels - I've seen them on GM, Ford and Chrysler models.

On the Ram pickups the wheels varied by year from polished aluminum (like Challenger 20" Heritage wheel) to the chrome-clads...they're back to chrome clads on the trucks again.

Part of this is chrome plating over aluminum isn't a good idea - the aluminum gets embrittlement from the plating process and the chrome plating doesn't seem to adhere as well vs. steel base materials.

And that's supposed to make me feel better knowing that GM and Ford do it too? Plastic chrome is not a good idea no matter how many manufacturers do it. What ever happened to polished aluminum? Their're not doing this to make something that last. Their're doing this to cut cost. What really sucks is that many of the manufacturers charge you more for these crap wheels.

Notice that the SRT8 Challengers don't get them.

[Hal H]

Originally Posted by STINGER392

And that's supposed to make me feel better knowing that GM and Ford do it too? Plastic chrome is not a good idea no matter how many manufacturers do it. What ever happened to polished aluminum? They're not doing this to make something that last. They're doing this to cut cost. What really sucks is that many of the manufacturers charge you more for these crap wheels.

Notice that the SRT8 Challengers don't get them.

No, I was pointing out that other mfgrs. have gone the same route. I agree it is not the approach that I found to my liking.

I didn't see the value of shelling out $1,390 [MSRP - back in '09 MY...now $1,095 MSRP] for plastic chrome painted cover 20" wheels. I'm not a big fan of chrome anyway -

If there was a polished aluminum 20" option (like the Heritage 20") or a machined/painted 20" option (as the 18" used to be), I may have considered it, but the price also had to be in line for what you got.

The durability and potential to repair the chrome-clads bear out that these are throw aways once something goes wrong with them or get damaged. A 'don't buy' by my standard.

[STINGER392]

Originally Posted by Hal H

No, I was pointing out that other mfgrs. have gone the same route. I agree it is not the approach that I found to my liking.

I didn't see the value of shelling out $1,390 [MSRP - back in '09 MY...now $1,095 MSRP] for plastic chrome painted cover 20" wheels. I'm not a big fan of chrome anyway -

If there was a polished aluminum 20" option (like the Heritage 20") or a machined/painted 20" option (as the 18" used to be), I may have considered it, but the price also had to be in line for what you got.

The durability and potential to repair the chrome-clads bear out that these are throw aways once something goes wrong with them or get damaged. A 'don't buy' by my standard.

I agree on all accounts. I think they should be the base wheel of they want to sell that crap with a couple higher quality wheel options thrown in. I noticed that GM is now doing this with many of their cars and trucks.

[walnetto]

Geez Tampa Bay, don't get a stroke over this. Sounds like this is happening more on the new Chrome Clads. I bought a set off a guy and haven't heard a thing. Mine are off an 09. I think the added cost for this option was $1,300. It sounds like everyone is thinking that that is the value of the wheel, when I believe most of that cost is in the 20" tires. I had a nail in my in the beginning of October that couldn't be fixed as it was too close to the edge of the tire. It cost me $270 for a new tire. I'm sure if I had my 18" Continental on it, the price would have been half of that. So I think the up charge is mostly the cost of the tires and not the plastic wheel. Luckily, I got a deal on mine so it was worth a chance. When I saw them back in 10, I said "no way." But, now that I have them, they are growing on me and make my car much classier. I still wanted a set of Heritage, but couldn't find any for same in the mid-west. All were from the west, east or Texas. Anyway, good luck on getting your problem resolved.

[RWB44]

Take it to another dealership, I had the clicking noise with mine and they were replaced with absolutely ZERO cost to me. It was really a simple process, took car to the dealer, he knew exactly the issue, ordered the new rims, replaced them, took pics for Corporate Dodge and handed the keys back. The problem actually started when I took my car to another dealership to have the alignment checked a couple weeks prior to the rim issue. Once the rims started making noise I took it to a dealership closer to me, and they solved the issue without any problems.