I got some bad news on the Thor Sanctuary today

RSKDSK · 01-08-2022, 12:37 AM

I have been struggling to correct the annoying vibration while driving at highway speeds above 65mph. I have brought the van to 2 different places for balancing, and neither place have been able to fix it. I decided to bring the van to Mercedes and have the check the front end, suspension, rims, and even check the tires for roundness/internal issues (special machine).
Well, the results are in and it appears that I have not 1, not 2, but 3 bad rims! Mercedes has informed me that I will never be able to balance the vibration out of those rims as they are poorly manufactured rims with thick and thin spots.

So it looks like I'll be upgrading sooner than I had planned. Mercedes recommended that the black Rhino rims are great for this application. I am interested in hearing what other have done as I need to get this issue corrected before my next adventure.

THANKS FOR THE INPUT!

RSKDSK · 01-08-2022, 02:45 AM

So far I am thinking black Rhino arsenal rims (17") with 265/70/17 KO2. From what I understand, these will fit without any modifications ... but still researching

ducksface · 01-08-2022, 06:36 AM

There are places that specialize in wheel straightening and repair.
Usually 1/3 the cost of a new wheel.

Jimbo56 · 01-08-2022, 02:43 PM

FYI - Rims have no center or bolt pattern. Wheels have center & bolt pattern.
Are yours steel ( punched) or aluminum ( poured/cast)? The assumption here is that the Mercedes people you went to knew what they were doing. I doubt it. If they actually tried to spin balance the tire/wheel assembly while bolted to the vehicle, and couldn’t get it balanced, they’re not versed in that fine art. And this type of “old times” balancing is an art form. And it won’t be cheap.

**16ACE27** · 01-08-2022, 03:32 PM

This is a brand new MH, correct? Why are you spending money to correct a manufacturing defect that should certainly be covered by warranty? Are these aftermarket wheels? I had heard that Sprinters had a run of bad rims.

RSKDSK · 01-08-2022, 04:06 PM

Yes this RV is only a few months only. The rims are the stock rim that come with the Thor sanctuary and I believe they are poured aluminum, not the steel rims. yes I could fight with Thor, but I was planning to upgrade in the future anyway

RSKDSK · 01-08-2022, 04:09 PM

here is a pic ... Mercedes told me these are not the ones that come on the sprinter from the factory ... so I am guessing Thor added them.

RSKDSK · 01-08-2022, 04:13 PM

lets try that again

Chance · 01-08-2022, 05:04 PM

The Thor website indicates off-road tires are an option for Sanctuary 4X4 Sprinters. Their “Gallery” shows a van with wheels that don’t look original Mercedes to me, but I’m no Sprinter expert — not even close.

What I find more interesting is what appears like a significant aftermarket suspension lift. Does your Sprinter have a “lift” kit installed? If so, the possibility of that contributing to problem should also be considered.
.

ducksface · 01-08-2022, 08:35 PM

Am I the only guy who would pay straight up DOUBLE for a balance from one of the old
The wheel stays on car while we balance
Machines?
Man they could balance the rotor and the whole axle system.

And
Upgrade how and why?
I don't understand the
I'm going to upgrade....

kamccormick · 01-09-2022, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RSKDSK

Yes this RV is only a few months only. The rims are the stock rim that come with the Thor sanctuary and I believe they are poured aluminum, not the steel rims. yes I could fight with Thor, but I was planning to upgrade in the future anyway

Have you called Thor? My experience is that they are very receptive and not looking for a fight.

Bob Denman · 01-09-2022, 04:47 PM

This should be a simple warranty issue: Good luck!

paulwadley · 01-12-2022, 07:47 PM

I had two bad rims on my 2018 Thor Siesta 24SS right after I bought it in 2018. There were some bad weld areas that leaked air. I took it to Mercedes and they would not cover it under the vehicle warranty unless I had the OPTIONAL wheel coverage warranty from Mercedes. That was something that was not offered when I bought the unit brand new from my motor home dealership. I ended up buying some "knock off" factory rims from a company in Kentucky. They only charged me around $50.00 per rim including shipping from Kentucky to Calif. I had a shop swap out the bad rims and have not had a problem since. I also filed a consumer complaint regarding the bad welds on the rims as a safety hazard.

Paul

Jimbo56 · 01-13-2022, 01:07 AM

This bugs me! These are wheels, not rims. Let’s use correct nomenclature.

**16ACE27** · 01-13-2022, 01:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimbo56

This bugs me! These are wheels, not rims. Let’s use correct nomenclature.

What do you consider to be the difference?

Jimbo56 · 01-13-2022, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 16ACE27

What do you consider to be the difference?

You should know as an NAISE mechanic.

A rim has no center. No bolt pattern just an outer rim. Google Dayton rim.

A wheel has a center with a bolt pattern Google budd wheel.

https://sc04.alicdn.com/kf/UTB8GOXlw...fq6yasXXal.jpg

https://www.vanderhaags.com/detailvi...?part=24598293

paulwadley · 01-13-2022, 01:28 AM

I guess I should have said Wheels and not Rims.

Sorry for the confusion
Paul

ducksface · 01-13-2022, 01:37 AM

There hasn't been a need to differentiate the words since actual rims were common 75 years ago or on mobile home temporary axles more recently.
Shall we explain a split rim?

If you think those rims and wheels are not an integral unit as 99.999% wheel/rim are now....

Should we differentiate as hub centric or lug centric also in common conversations amongst lay folk?
Studs vs lugs just for the wow factor?

Just as the clip vs mag thing.
It is not right to correct the 'clip' folk as 99.999% who say
'it is a magazine not a clip' folk are also wrong.
It's a magazine tube into a magazine well.
There is no magazine if there is a tube. There is a magazine only if there isn't a tube. A clip feeds a magazine. A magazine tube feeds a magazine well.
Oh, the mag vs clip gang hate that. It is a last resort at killing squirells.

But the clip vs magazine group might be like the wheel vs rim group.

Heres the deal.
If you discerned, they conveyed.

We have a hard enough time prying info out of folks like the op without including such argument.

(I own a car with actual rims. I do not try to edumadate where an edumadation isn't warranted)

**16ACE27** · 01-13-2022, 01:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimbo56

You should know as an NAISE mechanic.

A rim has no center. No bolt pattern just an outer rim. Google Dayton rim.

A wheel has a center with a bolt pattern Google budd wheel.

https://sc04.alicdn.com/kf/UTB8GOXlw...fq6yasXXal.jpg

https://www.vanderhaags.com/detailvi...?part=24598293

It's actually NIASE mechanic.

And although there is a technical difference between rims and wheels the average consumer uses both terms for wheels. In fact, I Googled "Dayton rim" as you suggested and Google believes Dayton wheels are valid results for that term. See below:

ducksface · 01-13-2022, 01:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulwadley

I guess I should have said Wheels and not Rims.

Sorry for the confusion
Paul

There was no confusion.
But there is now.

I am one to play
semantics and nuance and structure and entendre,
and
split typed lines
as most of you know.

I'm not seeing this wheel/rim differentiation need.

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