I have a '99 F150 with the Off-Road Package and thus have the 17" chromed steel wheels. I had my tires rotated and balanced a few months ago (at Tires Plus) and again last week. I washed my truck a couple of nights ago and I noticed that the balancing weights they used the first time left some pretty nasty wear marks on my wheels...looks like it's all the way through the chrome. I talked to Tires Plus about it and got the usual "That's normal" story from them. Has anyone else had this problem? Along with the obvious fact that my wheels don't look as good as they once did, I'm also now concerned about rust. I guess I can't believe that in this day and age, nobody has been able to come up with a product that won't damage the wheels. Thanks for any info on this.

Matt

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99 F150 X-Cab 4x4 SB, 5.4L V8, Deep Wedgewood Blue/Dark Graphite, ORP, 3.73 LS, Tow Pkg, Captain's Chairs
AIRAID, Luvernve Stainless Nerf Bars, BedRug Bed Liner
Lund: Frontrunner bug deflector, Eclipse taillight covers, Eclipse quarter window shades all painted to match

Sony: Mobile ES CDX-C7850 head unit, Mobile ES XDP-U50D DSP, MDX-65 MiniDisc changer
Rockford Fosgate: Punch 600a5 amp, 2 Punch XLC 4 Ohm 8" subs
Infinity: Kappa 63.1i's in the front, Kappa 62.1i's in the rear
StreetWires: Zero Noise 5.0 patch cables, UltraFlow Power cable, Power Distribution Blocks, speaker wire

 

I had the same problem. Once a little salt or rust gets inside the scratches; it gets bigger and bigger. What I've used is a small dab of clear nail polish. I've been doing this for years, and it does work.

 

As soon as my truck came in last fall, I took it to the tire store and had them re-balance the wheels with the weights on the inside of the rim only. Then I came home and touched up the scratches where they were originally crimped with clear touch up paint before winter set in. the salt around here is killer. Regardless of what some may say about it not being a true balance, I've had absolutely no problems.

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2000 XLT Sport, Flareside, 2WD, SuperCab, 5.4L. Factory options: 3.55 LS, Class III tow, Dark graphite captains chairs & console w/CD changer, Remote entry , and Slider.
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[This message has been edited by selva1 (edited 08-16-2000).]

 

Thanks for the info guys...I guess from now on I'll be making sure they mount the weights on the inside edge of the wheel.

Thanks again!
Matt

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99 F150 X-Cab 4x4 SB, 5.4L V8, Deep Wedgewood Blue/Dark Graphite, ORP, 3.73 LS, Tow Pkg, Captain's Chairs
AIRAID, Luvernve Stainless Nerf Bars, BedRug Bed Liner
Lund: Frontrunner bug deflector, Eclipse taillight covers, Eclipse quarter window shades all painted to match

Sony: Mobile ES CDX-C7850 head unit, Mobile ES XDP-U50D DSP, MDX-65 MiniDisc changer
Rockford Fosgate: Punch 600a5 amp, 2 Punch XLC 4 Ohm 8" subs
Infinity: Kappa 63.1i's in the front, Kappa 62.1i's in the rear
StreetWires: Zero Noise 5.0 patch cables, UltraFlow Power cable, Power Distribution Blocks, speaker wire