While installing winter tires we noticed the inner bead on the rims separating. The chrome is delaminating to the point where one tire will no longer hold air, other rims are also delaminating but at this point they still hold air. The delamination occurs on the inner bead so it is not visible until the tire is removed. A tire shop told us the chrome rim is next to the brake rotor and the heat causes the chrome to separate, he would not be responsible for reinstalling the wheel since the tire bead coud separate while it is being driven and a sudden loss of air could equal a blowout. The tires are michellin and still in good shape, we installed winter tires on steel rims but cannot put the chrome rims back on. We were told by tire shops that looked at the rims that that seems ro be a common problem with these rims.

- Spokane, WA, USA

The contact owns a 2002 Lexus RX300. The contact took the vehicle to a repair shop for a routine tire inspection. The mechanic noticed that the wheels were cracked and defective. It would cost $480 to replace each wheel. A report was filed with the manufacturer and they advised her to take the vehicle to the dealer. The dealer took pictures of the wheels and forwarded them to the manufacturer. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was old and out of warranty; therefore, they would not assist with the repair. However, they offered the contact a $150 oil change certificate. The current and failure mileages were 150,000.updated 12/08/09 updated 12/10/09.

- La Grange, CA, USA