cracked rock warriors (replacements?)

[zmf]

Last November I found what looked like a decent set of RWs, bought some KO2s and had them mounted. I've been driving them everyday on the highway since then, no off road (sadly), for about 10k miles, maybe less. My right rear started going low, and I checked for nails/screws (common reason for flats around here) and couldn't find any. Sprayed soapy water everywhere, and couldn't find a leak. Pumped it up, and it held for 2 days, and then went flat again. Pumped it up and drove it (repeating this cycle) knowing it would get worse and help me find the leak. Eventually found two cracks on the inside edge, straight in from the edge. I have no idea how these cracks would have happened - there's no damage around them, I didn't hit anything hard, but I don't know how these things fail, so maybe this is common? It just seems like a weird way to fail. It's also forcing me to get a better air compressor since sitting in the parking lot at work for 20 minutes waiting for it to fill up was painful.....

Questions - is this common? I like the RWs for many reasons that others do, and figured they'd be more reliable than this. A quick search here and google and I don't find much in terms of problems with them like this. Can this (*should* this) be repaired, or just toss it and get another one? My wife is suddenly not a fan of these wheels and thinks I should get new ones. Any suggestions on new wheels that would be similar to the RWs in terms of quality (except for mine), durability, size, fit, etc.?

Thanks.

 

[Rigger]

This is certainly a new one on me. I never heard of cracking on the rims. Maybe they were on a truck that was involved in an accident?

 

[bloc]

There are a LOT of guys here with rock warriors. If this were a common issue we would have heard about it.

I say find a replacement, which admittedly isn’t easy, and go from there.

Btw if you have to buy a full set and split them I could use a spare

 

[gaijin]

Last November I found what looked like a decent set of RWs, bought some KO2s and had them mounted. I've been driving them everyday on the highway since then, no off road (sadly), for about 10k miles, maybe less. My right rear started going low, and I checked for nails/screws (common reason for flats around here) and couldn't find any. Sprayed soapy water everywhere, and couldn't find a leak. Pumped it up, and it held for 2 days, and then went flat again. Pumped it up and drove it (repeating this cycle) knowing it would get worse and help me find the leak. Eventually found two cracks on the inside edge, straight in from the edge. I have no idea how these cracks would have happened - there's no damage around them, I didn't hit anything hard, but I don't know how these things fail, so maybe this is common? It just seems like a weird way to fail. It's also forcing me to get a better air compressor since sitting in the parking lot at work for 20 minutes waiting for it to fill up was painful.....

Questions - is this common? I like the RWs for many reasons that others do, and figured they'd be more reliable than this. A quick search here and google and I don't find much in terms of problems with them like this. Can this (*should* this) be repaired, or just toss it and get another one? My wife is suddenly not a fan of these wheels and thinks I should get new ones. Any suggestions on new wheels that would be similar to the RWs in terms of quality (except for mine), durability, size, fit, etc.?

Thanks.

This is definitely not a common failure. In fact, yours is the first and only report AFAIK.

Since many of us are running these wheels, as much info as possible would be greatly appreciated.

Can you posts detailed pics of the failure?

TIA

 

[SQRRRL]

There are a LOT of guys here with rock warriors. If this were a common issue we would have heard about it.

I say find a replacement, which admittedly isn’t easy, and go from there.

Btw if you have to buy a full set and split them I could use a spare

Me too

 

[grinchy]

Not common but aluminum wheels can crack.

 

[zmf]

First shows the two cracks, the one on the left is worse. Second shows the gap in the crack, and the third is a closeup of this. There's a dark gray goop on both - a lame bandaid attempt?

 

[Chocolate]

This is certainly a new one on me. I never heard of cracking on the rims. Maybe they were on a truck that was involved in an accident?

That is my thought as well. That is a hell of a crack on the second one. The only other report I can find anywhere on the internet of this happening on a RW involves a counterfeit, cast 6-lug wheel (note the different mounting face shape and incorrect part number in the wrong place): TRD wheel cracked - Toyota FJ Cruiser Forum

 

[Yossarian]

Wow. I would stop driving on the wheels immediately. Something out of the ordinary happened to those rims.

 

[grinchy]

The high pressure press channel on YouTube pressed steel and aluminum rims. Aluminum stronger but catastrophic failure, Steel softer with gradual failure. An Aussie channel did a sledgehammer destruction too, same result.

Sadly 17” steelies in our bolt pattern are not a US part.

 

[Itsky]

That’s nuts. I’d bet an accident.

 

[chilibit]

Trust your wife.

 

[Chocolate]

The high pressure press channel on YouTube pressed steel and aluminum rims. Aluminum stronger but catastrophic failure, Steel softer with gradual failure. An Aussie channel did a sledgehammer destruction too, same result.

Sadly 17” steelies in our bolt pattern are not a US part.

Nothing made by man can withstand the hydraulic press.




The 17" steelies are approximately 20 pounds heavier each than the RWs. That's some serious additional unsprung weight.

edit: I was wrong. They are only 10 pounds heavier.

 

[Rigger]

That rim is scrap metal. Don’t drive another five feet on that.

 

[grinchy]

These 17"x7 Toyota steelies are 34 lbs (15.5 kg). Which is 10 more than an RW. The 17x8 are around 36 lb. Add on a 75 lb 35" tire, and will you notice 100 lb vs 110 lb unsprung?

Toyota 42611-60A61

I love RWs, they're forged and they're light; if I had a set I'd roll them for sure. But there are some use cases where AL rims are not worth the weight savings, when viewed as a rim/wheel system.

 

[bloc]

99% sure discussion on steel wheels isn’t what OP was looking for.



Those cracks being so open would make me think the inner bead isn’t even round. If it is.. where did the metal that filled the crack go?

Also, if you reuse these tires look closely for damage to the bead in those areas. I could see the sharp edges causing problems.

I think the dark gray goop is aluminum that is grinding out of that crack as the edges rub together during use.

 

[bjowett]

It's also possible the wheels simply reached the end of their fatigue life. Surface imperfections, scratches, and inadequate machining finish are where most stress raisers begin. Material quality not up to spec? Rock Warrior wheels have been rolling down highways for over a decade now... too many cycles. I see the machined finish on Rock Warrior wheels as less than optimal... smooth em' out in the lathe and shot peen them. My local scrap yard always has pallets of perfectly fine looking forged wheels from big rigs... they take em' out of service after so many miles.

 

[iwashmycar]

If you didnt do it (or at least weaken it), the original owner very well may have. Seems completely accidental IMO

 

[Roy Park]

If you bought them used, then I’d say the original owner probably damaged them. I have a buddy that runs RW’s on his Tundra and he bends and/or cracks a wheel/year. But he hoards RW’s off craigslist and probably has like 12 spares in his garage. So yes, they can crack and bend if you push them hard.

 

[ArnieC]

I would TIG it up and use it as a spare, use it as a hose reel, or maybe once fixed on a light trailer.

That is a pretty easy repair but I wouldnt want to roll on it as a daily.

One new Rock Warrior can be sourced from Ebay for around $400 if you need one right now, or you can get one for free by buying a set of 4 and selling three separately.