I have 16x7 American Racing Baja rims on my 97 F150. These rims are just a month old including tires. My problem is the right rear wheel is cloady or I guess better put dull. I have not polished any of the rims up to last weekend. My other three look like new shiny as can be but this one. I tried using Mother's Wheel Polish on it and it help for 3 days and then back to dull again. My truck has a side exit exhaust which is stock in front of that wheel. I never ever had a problem with my stock rims doing this ever. Is this a defective rim? I switched my left rear (nice and shiny) with the right rear (nice and dull) to test. I don't think it's the exhaust but who knows. Anybody seen this? I hate polishing rims!!!!!I want to keep it to a minimum I don't mind once in a while but once a week is B.S.....

Thanks Silverback

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1997 F150 4.6L, 305/70/R16, American Racing Baja 16X8's, Flowmaster 50 series, 3" cat

 

Me no have any problem with my stock either after 47K. Can you find out if these were supposed to be clear coated? If they were not then maybe cleaning them up and having that done will prevent it from re-occuring.

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97 F-150 SC Lariat, Styleside, White over Gold, 4.6L (Windsor), Automatic, 3.55 rear end, electronic 4X4, w/ every option of Lariat and ORP packages except the 17" wheels (I even got the OR decals now!) Almost completed the Towing Pkg. options, MOD's so far: K&N air box mod, Gibson Super Truck, clear Bugflector II, Leer TSC 600 hard cover, Bridgestone Dueler OWL ATP 265/75 R-16's, TrailMaster Invader N7 shocks, Smittybilt step bars, Ford moulded mud guards, "White-white" head lamps, Cloud Rider Design's SS Grill and bumper opening, Bosch Platinum + 4's, Hayden 30K+ Tranny Cooler, Superchip on the way!

 

Silverback - Good troubleshooting procedure! Sounds like you will figure it out yourself. Please post back under the same thread when you have an answer. I have side exhaust and like it that way. No problems with the Lariat wheels on a '97.

 

CCLA I think it is exhaust related. In spite of all of us that have had no problems. I think the root of it is a wheel finish problem. Everyone knows exhaust gases are corrosive. So is brake dust. So the theory I have put forth before is the wheels are either not properly protected from this and/or possibly some have inadvertently removed the clear coating by improper cleaning with wheel cleaners, automated car washes, etc and thereby exposed the raw aluminum to the corrosive. I only wash mine with carwash soap and no problems after 47K.

Since I have proposed this theory before and it has not been completely accepted I will just keep repeating it until it does! Come on Raoul, back me up on this one huh?

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97 F-150 SC Lariat, Styleside, White over Gold, 4.6L (Windsor), Automatic, 3.55 rear end, electronic 4X4, w/ every option of Lariat and ORP packages except the 17" wheels (I even got the OR decals now!) Almost completed the Towing Pkg. options, MOD's so far: K&N air box mod, Gibson Super Truck, clear Bugflector II, Leer TSC 600 hard cover, Bridgestone Dueler OWL ATP 265/75 R-16's, TrailMaster Invader N7 shocks, Smittybilt step bars, Ford moulded mud guards, "White-white" head lamps, Cloud Rider Design's SS Grill and bumper opening, Bosch Platinum + 4's, Hayden 30K+ Tranny Cooler, Superchip on the way!

 

That's just it.....up until recently nothing has been used on those rims but soap and water. Only the dull wheel has polish (mothers) the other never seen it. I can't understand it ...again no prob with the stock rims so why this? F!@#$!@ Ford wants a fortune to relocate a problem they created in my eyes. The TSB only proves they acknowledge it but the jack !#$ wont cover it . The truck is a 97 with less than 43k on it.

 

Silverback, Sounds like a good excuse to run duals out the rear

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98 F150 2WD,Bright Red, Regular Cab, 4.2, 3.55, 5 Speed, Superchip, 2 Superchip Decals (I Think They Add 5 HP Each), 3 Inch Bullseye Lift Spindles, Manik Grill Guard,Nerf Bars, Vent Visors,Air Box Mod, Fog Lights Mounted In Front Air Dam ,2 Kc DayLighters, Back Up Lights, Alpine CD Player, 2 Kenwood Amps, 10 Inch MTX Blue Thunder SubWoofer, Tinted Windows. 3 Inch Body Lift Kit Is Here And I've Ordered the 16.5 x 9.75 American Racing Baja Wheels Wrapped With 35x12.5x16.5 BFG All Terrains So When They Get Here I'll Be Having Fun That Weekend

'00 Toyota Celica GT( Wife's Car )

Pics @ http://www.angelfire.com/la2/ccla/

 

Isin't it an awfully big coencidence (sp) that the right rear wheel is discolored? And they stopped exiting the exhaust from that point because of this prob. Maybe those Baja's are just more suseptable (sp) to the exhaust fumes. I'm Certainly not disparaging (sp) those rims cause I just ordered the same model just in a different size. (16.5x9.75) Just seems like to big of a coencidence to me.

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98 F150 2WD,Bright Red, Regular Cab, 4.2, 3.55, 5 Speed, Superchip, 2 Superchip Decals (I Think They Add 5 HP Each), 3 Inch Bullseye Lift Spindles, Manik Grill Guard,Nerf Bars, Vent Visors,Air Box Mod, Fog Lights Mounted In Front Air Dam ,2 Kc DayLighters, Back Up Lights, Alpine CD Player, 2 Kenwood Amps, 10 Inch MTX Blue Thunder SubWoofer, Tinted Windows. 3 Inch Body Lift Kit Is Here And I've Ordered the 16.5 x 9.75 American Racing Baja Wheels Wrapped With 35x12.5x16.5 BFG All Terrains So When They Get Here I'll Be Having Fun That Weekend

'00 Toyota Celica GT( Wife's Car )

Pics @ http://www.angelfire.com/la2/ccla/

 

All-

I hate to confirm my problem was due to the exhaust exit location. Even though it may not have appeared on my stock rims it did effect my aftermarket rims. After swapping my rear wheels it took exactly 2 days to confirm my fears. The exhaust was the case and I have relocated it to exit after the rear wheel this morning. Gotta luv Ford sorry we cant warrranty your truck becuase your 7 thousand miles over. Just goes to show how they (the autodealers) just care about the almighty buck instead of building long term relationships with their customers so they come back and buy what ever style they sell.

Off to start polishing wheels!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

T

 

I think you also proved the finish (clear coat) on the OEM wheels was more resistent to this problem and therefore better? I think I will stick to my OEM wheels.

 

I did some checking with American Racing and the Baja wheels are not clear coated in any fashion. They must be polished regulary to keep there look. I think though exhaust gas may have quickened the process of oxidation but the whole issue is what's is protecting the surface.

 

It is the exhaust. I had a set of aftermarket American Eagle 1189's and the rear right wheel got clouded off my 1997 F-150 4x4

 

Yes it IS the exhaust in front of the passenger tire...after having my new 97 truck just about a year, I "bytched" and moaned to get a 98 exhaust put on instead of the factory 97 one (98's came out behind the passenger wheel) and finally won. The dealer hates me now, have had numerous problems getting anything else fixed there. Sidney Ford in Sidney, OH....avoid them, their service manager sucks big time. (trying to be nice here)

My factory rim covers clouded up and got pitted from the exhaust, the other three looked good as new.