PP Black Rims: Damaged by Ford Service Center R&R process

Ok so my rims got f'd by my visit yesterday to a Ford service Center.

But to the point - the S550s with the black PP rims (GT/EB and Shelbys), is there a proper Ford Tech R&R procedure for:

1) Tire Rotations
2) Tire re-Balancing
3) Other tech where wheels have to be removed

I'm asking because I just had my 15k maintenance done (3rd oil change and tire rotation, plus inspected everything else).

So upon going to get the car, I noticed the damn Tech used a thick wall socket or was just totally ignorant in removing the wheels - because in every lug hole, there are marks and in some instances chipped paint off the rim!

Of course I talked to the Service Writer - they're trying to play games with me stating "it's normal", "they can't prevent that from happening", "they only can use commercial grade lug sockets and they are all thick walled sockets", oh and get this "it was caused by a previous visit" (which is untrue otherwise I would have mentioned it the last time around). I check the damn car over each time it has to go to Ford for Service and know the car inside and out just like everyone on this forum!! So I said to the Service Writer, "so you damage all black rims upon R&Rig them" - his response "no way around it".

So now they want to have their outside wheel repair guy make things right...and I really think they should replace my rims instead of trying to 'fix'.

Are there any internal documents such as a TSB or SSM that tells Dealer Service centers they must use a certain type of lug socket on BLACK rims and proper etiquette of R&Ring black rims??!!??

Wtf.

I've included just a few pics, as all 4 rims now have such damage on each lug location. Yes the rims are currently dirty/dusty - but enlarge the images and anyone can clearly see the damn damage around the lugs, around the center hub with Pony emblem and in the one pic the chip on the surface of the spoke.

The damage is the white/gray chips on surface - many are below the black painted surface so the damage cannot be buffed out.

Yep, techs don't give a flying fuck about your wheels.
That's why I don't take my car to the dealer for service.
As for replace, it's gonna be hard to press unless it's defective from the factory. Good thing is it's black so it will be pretty easy to repair.

Between using thick walled sockets, and high speed impact guns this is inevitable. Reason # 647 why I do my own service unless absolutely necessary.

Maybe [MENTION=25081]Agent_S550[/MENTION] can chime in.

I only go to Service because:

1) Due to driveline vibration issues @ 1,900 miles and having to get Ford CSR involved, which resulted in them adding on (2) Warranty/Premium Maintenance plans.

2) So that all Service is documented via Ford due to previous involvement with Ford CSR.

3) To utilize the benefits of the (2) plans added to my VIN.

Previous Mustangs and my current Cobra where all purchased used, so yes, I always did all of my own maintenance, etc.

So with utilizing the plans tagged to my car, I surely got a Ford "Quick Lube" and ended up with damaged rims.

The larger issue at hand is:
I or other owners shouldn't have to deal with Service Center ignorance when most of the shit is COMMON SENSE. Why would ANYONE allow a high speed lug socket to bounce all over the place on a BLACK rim? Just like my first visit back in January and the Service Center Tech decided he was not going to use a seat cover on my Ceramic leather interior - yes that too was nice coming back to the car and seeing black grime all over the driver seat.

I've had places do way more damage to wheels (usually the rim during mounting) & had them professionally repaired. Done correctly, you will never know they were fixed.

And yes, most shops don't give a flip about your wheels & do whatever is quickest/cheapest. I have been trying for weeks now to get a shop to switch out the lugs on my Hellcat without using the rattle gun & no one will do it (I've offered to pay for their extra time & care).

I'm prob. going to end up buying a breaker bar & torque wrench & just doing it myself 1 lug @ a time since I don't have a jack.

Its possible to remove the rims with the sockets and impact gun, but you have to be CAREFUL!

If they offer to repair the rims, then take it. They will repaint the rims and it'll look like new provided the guy who does it, does it well. Dealers usually use a mobile wheel repair specialist that's not a part of the dealership.

The "no way around it" comment baffles me. They seem so unconcerned. I've never had that kind of trouble or disrespect at the Ford Service/Quick Lane I go to. I would find another dealer.

Cobra Jet said:

I only go to Service because:

1) Due to driveline vibration issues @ 1,900 miles and having to get Ford CSR involved, which resulted in them adding on (2) Warranty/Premium Maintenance plans.

2) So that all Service is documented via Ford due to previous involvement with Ford CSR.

3) To utilize the benefits of the (2) plans added to my VIN.

Previous Mustangs and my current Cobra where all purchased used, so yes, I always did all of my own maintenance, etc.

So with utilizing the plans tagged to my car, I surely got a Ford "Quick Lube" and ended up with damaged rims.

The larger issue at hand is:
I or other owners shouldn't have to deal with Service Center ignorance when most of the shit is COMMON SENSE. Why would ANYONE allow a high speed lug socket to bounce all over the place on a BLACK rim? Just like my first visit back in Janury and the Service Center Tech decided he was not going to use a seat cover on my Ceramic leather interior - yes that too was nice coming back to the car and seeing black grime all over the driver seat.

Click to expand...

You gains something you lose something.
If you want other people touch your car, you just have to know they might not care. That is also common sense.
I have had techs using a metal screw driver to scrap wheel weights off my wheels leaving several deep to the metal lines in the wheels. The dealer repaired them.
I do my own rotation even if I take it in for an oil change. I now do my own oil change as they can't deny warranty because I change my own oil.

...But watch that same tech that messed up your wheels get all bent out of shape when someone messes with his bro dozer!!!

It sucks that the people that are supposed to the best at servicing our cars are usually the most careless with our cars. I have gotten to the point now if I need service I take my good wheels off and put the OEM wheels back on to help eliminate issues like that. I even at my tire shop go in the bay and remove the lugs myself and put them back onto assure no issues. If they will repair them, I would let them do it and maybe find a new dealer for service or do your own service. The only one that is going to care about your car is you, techs just do not care, since it is not their car.

It's easy enough to motivate someone to care if they fear for their job security. The problem here is that the same tech that damages your wheel gets to keep his job and life goes on.

BoostedRubyRed said:

The only one that is going to care about your car is you, techs just do not care, since it is not their car.

Click to expand...

+1000%

This goes for a lot of things in life.

You're battling a logic that happens when people do the same thing over and over everyday. They care very little.

There is no stated Ford procedure. I can tell you that damage to any part of a vehicle is not considered "standard operation" for anything. That goes for rotations or what have you. I wouldn't let it slide. It's like saying every time you put a serpentine belt on the car you need to install a new tensioner because they break it when they take it off. It's not a matter of normal wear and tear, it's a matter of negligence. But I will offer this short piece of advice. Unless you do it yourself, wear and tear is far greater when others do it for you.

The Snap On truck that stops at his dealership every week sells specific lug nut sockets made just for this. If they don't come plastic coated, you can cover them in tape so they don't scratch a wheel.

It's just careless. I wouldn't accept it.

Let them have their guy repair them and move on. You won't notice the repair.