wheel bolt nuts corrosion

[Prash87]

Hey guys, after 2weeks now I was shocked today by my local merc dealer who showed me several issues on my w204 which I didn't note til then (maybe too excited the last days)... One of the issues he noticed was that the wheel nuts have corrosion and should have been replaced within the manufacturer warranty but haven't been done by the previous owner, now I called car giant and told them about this and the other issues like the poor repaint on the back of the car and the completely resprayed front bumper and that they haven't told me anything about it. As you would guess they just said that I saw the car and bought it under my satisfaction so there is no way to get it fixed (swore myself never again to buy from a car supermarket)... Anyway as I was talking to the merc sales rep he said that it has to be done anyway so now I would like to now if there is anyway to still get them replaced on warranty or if there is no way around and I got to pay for the replacement.
Prash

 

[Clkrichard]

All Mercedes wheel bolts show surface corrosion very quickly. Your choices are 1) do nothing 2) replace them with non corroding bolts from Alloy Wheels Direct 3) touch them up with silver Hammerite.
Its only cosmetic surface corrosion and you dont need new bolts from the dealer which will corrode in no time flat anyway.

 

[markjay]

Go to Used Cars | Cargiant - The world's largest Used Car Dealership .

Browse to the Mercedes section, look at the car [pictures (there's a close-up picture of one wheel), and find me one that has no rust on wheel bolt

 

[Prash87]

Figured that out after seeing some other mercs around my area as well... Anyway going to chance them on the next tyre change

 

[Clkrichard]

Prash if you change them for new MB bolts you will be back where you are now in a very short time frame except you will be lighter in the wallet by the cost of 20 bolts (assuming you have lockers).
I just dont see the point when a dab of Hammerite solves the problem for a fraction of the cost.
What the dealer told you was total cobblers !

 

[markjay]

Prash if you change them for new MB bolts you will be back where you are now in a very short time frame except you will be lighter in the wallet by the cost of 20 bolts (assuming you have lockers).
I just dont see the point when a dab of Hammerite solves the problem for a fraction of the cost.
What the dealer told you was total cobblers !

Indeed.

At two years old the dealer changed all bolts inlcuding the locking ones aunder warranty due to rust - and they all rusted again a year later (just as the car came out of warranty).

It's surface rust and hence a 'cosmetic' issue so a touch of Hammerite seems a preferably suitable solution, but if you are going to have the bolts replaced then I would suggest looking at alternatives to the original rust-prone MB bolts - some here recommend these people:

Packs of Wheel Nuts and Wheel Bolts from Alloy Wheels Direct

though I didn't actually buy from them myself.

 

[sinewave]

Got my MB ones anodised at a local Metal Finishers for £30 for a full set.

Should be mint for years to come now.

 

[Prash87]

Thx for the info - as I am looking to change my wheels to some bigger once, I guess the best option would be a new set of wheelbolts as getting them done would take the same amount of money I am going to spend on it anyway.

 

[Clkrichard]

Prash if you are going to fit after market wheels your MB bolts are unlikely to be suitable. You need to look at whether you will need radiused or tapered seated bolts. If you need new bolts you might as well buy non corroding ones.
If your existing MB bolts are suitable I would still save £40 or so and use Hammerite but its your call.

 

[nigel cross]

Th question that puzzles me is:- when you consider the amount of money these cars cost, why do they not use either a chrome plated nut or some sort of plated version?