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DRW wheel corrosion

mbarber84

mbarber84

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I was wondering if anyone with a 19 and up dually has experienced any corrosion issues with the aluminum wheels? My 2017 had it, and so did several other Fourth generation Ram DRW trucks in my area. Seems to be centered around where the valve stem comes through. My thought was either galvanic corrosion and / or damage from when the stem was installed at the factory.
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That is disappointing. Usually you see this at the clip on weight locations, due to install/removal. From your picture, it looks like an improper nut to rim interface. Is that thin sliver by the stem nut clearcoat, or is it a thin washer?
 
Kubotafreak said:
That is disappointing. Usually you see this at the clip on weight locations, due to install/removal. From your picture, it looks like an improper nut to rim interface. Is that thin sliver by the stem nut clearcoat, or is it a thin washer?
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Yes it was the clear coat peeling off. This issue showed up within a year of me owning the truck (2017 ordered new). I have since sold the truck but I was hoping that this issue was handled on the 2019 and up trucks. I have a ‘22 longhorn DRW on order so I’ll have basically the same wheels. If it shows up this time I will have it addressed while the truck is still under warranty.

From what I could tell the issue was there from the start. I guessed it was damage during install and / or dissimilar metal reaction aggravated by road salt in the winter


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Same, ordered 22 longhorn from the slow train. I will keep an eye out for this when mine comes in.(wheels look to be identical) My first guess is there is supposed to be an interface washer between the nut, and wheel surface. If not one could be possibly added. The back side should have an o-ring flange to create the seal. I expel more effort than most on the wheel tire arena. I have my own tire machines, and tpms tools, so the sensors are not new to me. Judging by that image, the stem nut is seating down in the hole, which is not correct. This would create a circular scratch through the clear coat. If they are sending trucks out like this, my fix would be to retrofit the sensor stems with appropriate washers(Mylar/poly), and perhaps some touchup clear coat.
 

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Kubotafreak said:
Same, ordered 22 longhorn from the slow train. I will keep an eye out for this when mine comes in.(wheels look to be identical) My first guess is there is supposed to be an interface washer between the nut, and wheel surface. If not one could be possibly added. The back side should have an o-ring flange to create the seal. I expel more effort than most on the wheel tire arena. I have my own tire machines, and tpms tools, so the sensors are not new to me. Judging by that image, the stem nut is seating down in the hole, which is not correct. This would create a circular scratch through the clear coat. If they are sending trucks out like this, my fix would be to retrofit the sensor stems with appropriate washers(Mylar/poly), and perhaps some touchup clear coat.
Click to expand...

Yes I agree! I think they’re sending them out that way. Mine was like that almost from new. I’m hoping maybe the new generation of trucks is fixed. I guess I’ll find out if my truck ever gets here!


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mbarber84 said:
Yes I agree! I think they’re sending them out that way. Mine was like that almost from new. I’m hoping maybe the new generation of trucks is fixed. I guess I’ll find out if my truck ever gets here!


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Thats likely still going to be an issue as its likely from them chipping the clearcoat during assembly i would hope the issue is resolved but i highly doubt it unfortunately
 
Definitely corrosion. The SS stem and aluminum wheel need to be isolated from each other using a poly washer or well nut. Deal with this all the time on aluminum boats. Salt on the road, dirt, etc will speed up the process.
 
The Alcoa wheels have been doing that since they started using them in 2010/2011.
 
The new ram aluminum duals from what I can tell, are a really close chinese knockoff of the earlier ALCOA brand. They could also be ALCOA's de-stickered and imported. They clearly say china-cast laser engraved on the backside.
Having said this, the earlier versions on ford, ram appeared to be branded ALCOA's. The rim will have the branding sticker on the face. As far as the poultice corrosion, any clear coated aluminum wheel can suffer this damage. I would not necessarily blame the wheel for the issue. The stem is likely the cause of the issue.
 
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It is called GALVANIC REACTION corrosion when any two dissimilar metals come in contact with each other. If the the valve stems were aluminum this would not be an issue
 
Billcf7 said:
It is called GALVANIC REACTION corrosion when any two dissimilar metals come in contact with each other. If the the valve stems were aluminum this would not be an issue
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Yes it would they have tried that before on regular aluminum wheels idk how many of those stems i have changed out as they were almost deteriorated
 
That is disappointing to see. Hopefully the dealer will take care of you, although I wouldn't want it to just happen again.
 
Sometimes your own fix is better than theirs. Id rather know its a problem and fix it myself preemptive. Sitting in their waiting room years later for them to maybe give me a new wheel, plus a “you need this and that” is not worth the hassle. The guy “fixing” your new wheel is liable to scratch it too. It is not the norm to come across things that get better after they come off the assembly line. Every single aluminum wheel I have broken down has corrosion on the bead. All have scratches at the clamp on weights. Its inevitable unfortunately. They would have been better off raw to start with. The rims would have grown a foggy white oxide layer, or could have been mirror polished. Either way, less damage than corrosion under lifted clear where it pits the metal. Seems the cleared wheels react worse than the color painted wheels. I can only assume the paint is more pliable, and harder to lift than the hard clear only.
 
Kubotafreak said:
Sometimes your own fix is better than theirs. Id rather know its a problem and fix it myself preemptive. Sitting in their waiting room years later for them to maybe give me a new wheel, plus a “you need this and that” is not worth the hassle. The guy “fixing” your new wheel is liable to scratch it too. It is not the norm to come across things that get better after they come off the assembly line. Every single aluminum wheel I have broken down has corrosion on the bead. All have scratches at the clamp on weights. Its inevitable unfortunately. They would have been better off raw to start with. The rims would have grown a foggy white oxide layer, or could have been mirror polished. Either way, less damage than corrosion under lifted clear where it pits the metal. Seems the cleared wheels react worse than the color painted wheels. I can only assume the paint is more pliable, and harder to lift than the hard clear only.
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Clear does not stick as well as paint/powdercoat and polished wheels are always better than cleared… the only real fix would be strip the clear and have them polished
 
So yes, I have this on my 2019 DRW Ram 3500. Is this covered under warranty? What's the fix to this besides getting new rims?
 
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