Black Rhino wheels (not good)

[Saltymedic]

The other day I was walking towards my jeep and noticed that my passenger rear hub cap was missing from my new-ish (3mth old) Black Rhino wheels. Upon closer inspection I saw that the bolts were still in place and the cap had fallen off around it. I have no idea what could have caused this aside from the wheels themselves heating up whether under braking or out current 100 weather. Either way I've done nothing extraordinary outside of normal use since owning them.

My complaint with the company comes when you try to contact them to replace the hubs. They have no phone number listed just an automated response via text on their website . It's been several days since I sent the message and haven't received a response other than an automated email which says not to send more than one request. Side note, I hate this new model of business that companies are turning to. WTF is wrong with answering a damned phone call instead of giving your customers the run around?!

I'll post the picture of the problem.

*The missing hub is the passenger rear and the broken hub is the driver rear.* Both with similar issues.

Otherwise does anyone on here know how one would go about replacing the hubs in a more expedient manner? If so that would be helpful.

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[wachuko]

Well that sucks... the broken hub cover and the lack of response from the company.

The model for support works, but only if they are quick to respond... which was not the case here. Unless you sent the email over the weekend and have not given them enough time to review your situation.

 

[HooliganActual]

@Saltymedic
That looks like whoever installed those hub bolts last overtightened them.

My sympathies for the dilemma and the only thoughts I can offer are from my own experience (which probably won’t be helpful)…

I actually had a “spare” for my Armory wheels which was actually just the one from my spare tire rim which can’t really be installed. I broke one wheeling; caught a rock just right and broke it. I put the one on from the spare (that was sitting on a shelf in the garage) and then promptly broke another one on the next wheeling trip. Personally, I wasn’t willing to pay for a cosmetic part that it seems I’m going to break constantly; so I just removed the remaining ones and haven’t looked back.

So my only “constructive” thought is to buy 2 or 3 when you can finally get to place an order. Who knows, you may not even be able to get replacements in 5 years when that wheel model is discontinued.

P.S. 100% agree about the world’s customer service shortcomings!

 

[Saltymedic]

@Saltymedic
That looks like whoever installed those hub bolts last overtightened them.

My sympathies for the dilemma and the only thoughts I can offer are from my own experience (which probably won’t be helpful)…

I actually had a “spare” for my Armory wheels which was actually just the one from my spare tire rim which can’t really be installed. I broke one wheeling; caught a rock just right and broke it. I put the one on from the spare (that was sitting on a shelf in the garage) and then promptly broke another one on the next wheeling trip. Personally, I wasn’t willing to pay for a cosmetic part that it seems I’m going to break constantly; so I just removed the remaining ones and haven’t looked back.

So my only “constructive” thought is to buy 2 or 3 when you can finally get to place an order. Who knows, you may not even be able to get replacements in 5 years when that wheel model is discontinued.

P.S. 100% agree about the world’s customer service shortcomings!

I was the one who put on the hub and it absolutely was not over tightened for fear of exactly that, I knew it's thinnish plastic so I was careful to only gingerly snug it with blue Locktite. The bolt in the picture is bonded to the plastic which is a sign of higher heat, to me. I was towing a trailer through the mountains and I tend to think the rear brakes heated up enough to cause what we're seeing. The front hubs are perfect.

Yes, certainly the extra hubs are a fantastic idea and exactly what I would consider but the fact that I can't even attempt to do so I've gotten zero response over two full weekdays and two full weekend days is poopy customer service, which makes it feel doubtful that a response is even on the way. I mean how long does it take to answer an email? And why in the world don't you have a phone? That's where you as a company have a chance to shine with solid customer service. For example; If Discover Card didn't have a live person to talk to I would have never even bothered with their card and it would have been in the trash years ago. But a live customer service agent makes that much difference that I would hold onto that card when there is no other reason to do so over the other cards.

 

[wachuko]

You can’t use Loctite… Any contact of it with plastics will make them brittle and prone to cracks.

Do not ask me how I know… but I learned my lesson while at the same time learning some chemistry…

The main reason is that you risk damaging your plastic substrate because Loctite, even Blue Loctite, is a strong compound that fumes and degrades the surrounding plastic rather quickly.

Many go with the weaker blue version thinking they are safe, only to realize that it still causes a level of brittleness to the plastic, and can wreak havoc on parts.

There is a specific threadlocker for use when in contact with plastics.

 

[Sweetums]

Red RTV works well for a weak thread locker.

 

[bailer]

You can’t use Loctite… Any contact of it with plastics will make them brittle and prone to cracks.

Do not ask me how I know… but I learned my lesson while at the same time learning some chemistry…

The main reason is that you risk damaging your plastic substrate because Loctite, even Blue Loctite, is a strong compound that fumes and degrades the surrounding plastic rather quickly.

Many go with the weaker blue version thinking they are safe, only to realize that it still causes a level of brittleness to the plastic, and can wreak havoc on parts.

There is a specific threadlocker for use when in contact with plastics.

What is your theory on the plastic squeeze bottle that lasts for years while in contact with red or blue loctite?!?

 

[Lunentucker]

I'd try that number.
It's possible there are two wheel companies in the same building, but not probable.

Black Rhino
5347 S Valentia Way
Greenwood Village, CO 80111


5347 S Valentia Way Greenwood Village, CO

• Address: 5347 S Valentia Way, Ste 200, Greenwood Village, CO 80111
• Phone: 877-943-3577
• Email: [email protected]

 

[Sweetums]

What is your theory on the plastic squeeze bottle that lasts for years while in contact with red or blue loctite?!?

Different type of plastic.

 

[wachuko]

What is your theory on the plastic squeeze bottle that lasts for years while in contact with red or blue loctite?!?

Different type of plastic.

Exactly…

The correct Loctite for when plastic is involved is Loctite 425

 

[GWolgamott]

What is your theory on the plastic squeeze bottle that lasts for years while in contact with red or blue loctite?!?

Different grade of plastic.
edit: apparently didn't see others responded to that already.

 

[GWolgamott]

I was the one who put on the hub and it absolutely was not over tightened for fear of exactly that, I knew it's thinnish plastic so I was careful to only gingerly snug it with blue Locktite. The bolt in the picture is bonded to the plastic which is a sign of higher heat, to me. I was towing a trailer through the mountains and I tend to think the rear brakes heated up enough to cause what we're seeing. The front hubs are perfect.

Oh no! I was that's BS cheap stuff then you said locktite... &#*# well that's most likely it. As others mentions... I've also had that crack and waste away thinner plastic before by not using the correct locktite. That picture of the screw makes all the sense in the world when thinking of that now.

Hopefully can get some replacements as I would replace all of them, as the others are a matter of time at this point.

 

[Mr._Bill]

Where did you get the wheels from? I would try there, they may even have some in stock.

 

[SargeDiesel]

The other day I was walking towards my jeep and noticed that my passenger rear hub cap was missing from my new-ish (3mth old) Black Rhino wheels. Upon closer inspection I saw that the bolts were still in place and the cap had fallen off around it. I have no idea what could have caused this aside from the wheels themselves heating up whether under braking or out current 100 weather. Either way I've done nothing extraordinary outside of normal use since owning them.

My complaint with the company comes when you try to contact them to replace the hubs. They have no phone number listed just an automated response via text on their website . It's been several days since I sent the message and haven't received a response other than an automated email which says not to send more than one request. Side note, I hate this new model of business that companies are turning to. WTF is wrong with answering a damned phone call instead of giving your customers the run around?!

I'll post the picture of the problem.

*The missing hub is the passenger rear and the broken hub is the driver rear.* Both with similar issues.

Otherwise does anyone on here know how one would go about replacing the hubs in a more expedient manner? If so that would be helpful.

I've had the same model of Black Rhino wheels for 3+ yrs, so far I haven't had any issues with them

Good luck with getting support.

 

[SargeDiesel]

What is your theory on the plastic squeeze bottle that lasts for years while in contact with red or blue loctite?!?

There are different formulas for plastic... using your logic, same question could be asked for a super glue bottle...

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