Insde of rim getting "chewed up"?

**ZachPDX** · 11-28-2008 04:37 PM

I just had a inspection done for my extended warranty. Everything looked great the only issue was that both the front and rear drivers side rims had the inside lip chewed up, like something rubbing. It wasn't a consistent rub all the way around, there were parts that looked more chipped like something hit it and then rubbed around. I'm sure its just 1 wheel rubbing because I had a rotation just a few thousand miles ago. Both front and rear looked equally fresh and "clean" so it was hard to tell if it was the front or rear doing the damage. We lowered the car and tried to see where it might be rubbing but could find NOTHING with wear marks or coming super close to hitting. I wish I remembered to take a picture.

I have a service appointment on monday but any ideas what this could be?

**fitzS4** · 11-28-2008 04:42 PM

post pics so we can see...you might just be driving on bumpy roads roads and hit some holes

**Swanky** · 11-28-2008 04:47 PM

hopefully you dont take your car through the car wash with the metal guides

**JB_ImolaS4** · 11-28-2008 04:56 PM

Sounds like a drive-thru car wash if the marks aren't consistent.

**ZachPDX** · 11-28-2008 05:02 PM

Originally Posted by Swanky

hopefully you dont take your car through the car wash with the metal guides

o god da......
I try not to make a habbit of it but i have in the past. I don't have any idea if they are metal guides or not.

So sounds like thats it basically?

**Swanky** · 11-28-2008 05:08 PM

Originally Posted by ZachPDX

o god da......
I try not to make a habbit of it but i have in the past. I don't have any idea if they are metal guides or not.

So sounds like thats it basically?

just be thankful that the rash is on the inside, lesson learned

**ZachPDX** · 11-28-2008 05:15 PM

Originally Posted by Swanky

just be thankful that the rash is on the inside, lesson learned

So just a good idea to avoid in general?

**Swanky** · 11-28-2008 05:17 PM

correct, if you put a poll up i'm sure at least 85% of the people would agree to completely avoid car washes... if the metal guides dont ruin the wheels then the dirty sandy brushes will trash the paint (not to mention the harsh chemicals strip the nice coats of wax and sealant off your car)

**JB_ImolaS4** · 11-28-2008 05:20 PM

Just to add: the "rim protectors" on your tires WILL NOT help you out either.

**Meradin** · 11-29-2008 01:47 AM

You just need to find a good car wash. I run my car through regularly without any problems at all.

**BLACKa4QUAT** · 11-29-2008 04:33 AM

Originally Posted by JB_ImolaS4

Just to add: the "rim protectors" on your tires WILL NOT help you out either.

most of the time they wont, especially with 18"+ wheels

although the P6 245/45/17 tires that i had on my b6 1.8t had a pretty meaty curb protector that saved my rims from rash a couple of times.

**WinterRunner** · 11-30-2008 10:07 AM

It all depends on the car wash... I stay away from brush car washed like the plague, but theres a couple of good "touchless" car washes that never make contact with your car and those work great for a in-between cleaning.

**VR2V8** · 11-30-2008 11:21 AM

Personally, a car wash wouldn't be what I'd look at first.

My best guess would be a suspension problem, probably in the front.
1) If lowered, with the change in suspension geometry, it's possible that the rim scrapes the coilover over bad bumps or dips. This could certainly cause random marks like you see. The fix could be as simple as adding small wheel spacers. I've had to do this in the past.

2) If stock suspension, you could have the exact same issue going on if the shock is going bad and allowing too much travel.

In either case, it wouldn't be apparent by simple inspection to check for anything too close to the wheel. I'd remove the wheels and take a look at the coilover/factory spring for marks possibly caused by hitting the wheel.

If there aren't any marks, only then would I consider the car wash possibly being the problem.