So I've got a cracked weld sidewinder. Weld racing got taken over/bought by American Racing some time after I bought my wheels. Now American racing is telling me there's nothing they can do for me. They give me all sorts of reasons such as, the wheel is out of production, we're not responsible since it was before we owned weld racing, sorry dude too bad, etc. They won't offer me anything, it's not like I've asked for a new set of wheels, but maybe they could look around their dealer network for a sidewinder that might be out there? Or maybe offer me cost or close to cost on a set of wheels since that's pretty much my option right now if I want a set of four matched wheels.

Nope, after numerous conversations with people at American racing all I got in response was "sorry" "sorry there's nothing I can do". Same answer no matter what I said to the guy. Then he hung up on me, I called back and called back and called back, he kept hanging up. finally He picked up again and we had a conversation for a few more minutes. Keep in mind I never got beligerant, I spoke to him as a becoming more and more annoyed customer, never once did I yell or even swear at him over the phone. Guess what, he hung up again. Now that's customer service people!

Don't you think maybe, just maybe they'd want to keep me on their product, telling people how much I like they're wheels? Guess word of mouth isn't very important to them anymore so here I am telling you how they feel about my and your opinions on their product. They don't give a ****. Apparently they must be selling enough wheels that one angry customer doesn't matter to them.

Finally a couple hours go by and Perry from american racing calls me back. He's a different guy than I talked to previously. He managed to find a number for me to call at they're warehouse or sales office or somewhere. who knows cause guess what, I called them all day long today and the phone just rang, no answering machine, no person, nothing.

Way to go American racing, I'll buy a set of wheels from you.... :mad:

I wouldn't be so mad but they didn't even so much as lift a finger to try and help me out. Never have I experienced customer service this terrible.

Yep, American Racing has completely tanked one of the greatest wheels makers ever... sad...

fixed title.

Whoops sorry, dmax tim. Forgot which forum I was on :o:

I have a similiar story only they made my issue right. I think its annoying how companies seem to make things case by case instead of following a set pattern. I don't see why if they would have made mine right, they are trying to screw you, but I know thats the way it sometimes goes. sorry to hear your luck

Oh yeah? what happened to your wheel? How did they deal with your warranty issue?

Yeah that is pretty messed up. I would think they would offer you at least a fairly substantial price break on a set of new wheels from them? And the question that is really popping into my head right now is why did they buy out weld racing??? Odd.

I always thought welds were very good wheels. I remember wanting them a bunch of years back.

I always thought welds were very good wheels. I remember wanting them a bunch of years back.


I thought the same about Welds and wanted a set years ago as well for my race car but personnally I've always thought they were way overpriced. I guess Greg Weld couldn't resist what AR was offering him for his company or maybe he just couldn't compete any more in a very competitive market with his pricing.

I bought a set of AR rims for my wifes old car (we were in college still) Put it on and she drove it for a while suddenly the CV shaft, and ball joints were all bad on driver fron tire. Long and the short the rim was out 0.1"! Called AR and talked to the head guy on the east coast all I could get out of him was send it to us and we will take a look. The rim was no longer in production. I never did. Got rid of the car, but still have the rim. I will never ever buy AR rims again and I am sure to share this experience with anyone who is thinking of buying rims. They tried telling me it was from hitting a bump! More like dropping the car out of an 8 story building.

Mine had pitting real bad. At first they only wanted to replace the worst and I said that was a joke. All four rims had pitting at different levels. Eventually between my rim guy and myself we got out area person to replace all four. Replacing one was a joke when the other three would look that bad in a couple more months was our argument. Howver, now I hear almost no companies will warranty against pitting. My story is a year and half old.

Who is your local wheel man, I would think you should start there and get him on your side. He will have a lot of influence over the amount of weld rims sold in your area in the future, they won't want a bad rep with him.

local wheel guy is my local discount tire. They're only sorta working with me. They were no help with Weld/AR we'll see what they end up doing for me...

Sounds familiar, I have cracked the front wheels on my 68 camaro each of the last 2 years. Both times I called Weld(AR) and got the "sorry about your luck" line. I am stuck, either buy 4 of something else or 1 of what I have and drive very little. Maybe this winter I'll find something I like better and get rid of all of them.

guys american racing did not purchase weld, platinum equity did. And with doing that they did not grandfather any warranties before Sept. 27th 2007. And on top of that there is no way to make a wheel that has been discontinued like a 16x8 Sidewinder. They get rid of the mold for that size and it would cost thousands of dollars to make a new one.

the only thing that can be done is to contact the weld estate, and the best way to do that is to go through the internet. there use to be a number that you could call but that number is no longer available.

:banghead:major corporation.... screw everyone

sorry it was Sept, 28th 2006.

and american racing only purchased welds assests when they went bankrupt. that is why they do not honor warranties on wheels done before the date above. :D

sorry it was Sept, 28th 2006.

and american racing only purchased welds assests when they went bankrupt. that is why they do not honor warranties on wheels done before the date above. :D

Oh, I thought Weld sold out to AR or AR bought out Weld. I can't say I'm surprised he went bankrupt because his prices IMHO were way out of line with the rest of the wheel market. I don't know about anyone else but I've always had good luck with AR. I chipped one of my Teflon rims almost down to the metal and AR replaced the wheel for me. I had to pay for the mounting and dismounting of the tire, but I didn't have to pay for the rim. I think they make a great product and have good customer service as well.

guys american racing did not purchase weld, platinum equity did. And with doing that they did not grandfather any warranties before Sept. 27th 2007. And on top of that there is no way to make a wheel that has been discontinued like a 16x8 Sidewinder. They get rid of the mold for that size and it would cost thousands of dollars to make a new one.

the only thing that can be done is to contact the weld estate, and the best way to do that is to go through the internet. there use to be a number that you could call but that number is no longer available.


Does it really matter who purchased who up at the corporate level? At the consumer end, on american racings website, it has a direct link to Weld racing. American racing as far as the consumer knows is the owner of Weld. I don't give a damn who the giant conglomerate is that owns American racing and weld racing and whatever else, none of that matters. What I see as a consumer is that American Racing handles themselves and Weld racing now. Now that American racing has ownership of their name, styles, and knowledge they should take responsibility of weld wheels, new and old. I'm not saying bend over backward and give everyone in my position a new set of free wheels but hey, what's the damage to American racing if they offer me a set at their cost? Sure they don't make any money off me now but you know, there is such a thing as repeat customers, oh yeah and word of mouth advertising. I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one in this world who's bought a product due to a friends reccomendation.

Man I just got all excited and ran out to the shop, thought I found a match made in heaven. I have one brand new 16x8 Weld Sidewinder in the box... but sad to say it is GM 6 lug!!

Man I just got all excited and ran out to the shop, thought I found a match made in heaven. I have one brand new 16x8 Weld Sidewinder in the box... but sad to say it is GM 6 lug!!

Hey, thanks for lookin' anyway! :D

From what I understand Greg Weld actualy stayed on for a while when AR bought Weld Wheels but became VERY unhappy with what he saw, hence Greg Weld Wheels. And I am no corporate attourney, but I thought when you bought or took over a company you get the liabilities as well as the assets????

well everyone is sol casue Wheel Pros bought americian racing from what i'm told

I will never buy from any wheel that wheel pros has control of again. They had 7 when I originally wanted to order 5. I only ordered 4. One came with a bad/flat spot(open box) but useable.They said one would be shipped right out to replace it.They never contacted us once. All of the sudden they could not find any of the remaining 3 after dealer repeatedly called them for 3 weeks . They did offer to discount the set. I still believe they are lieing and taking the cheapest-easiest way out. What if I had a serious issue? My dealer has other issues with them also.

wheel pros wheels are horrible, all of them, PERIOD

Doesnt wheel pros have a ebay store? If so let me know cause i dont wanna buy from them either after hearing this stuff