Alcoa Wheels Australia

Technical Service Bulletin: Special Warranty Program for ULA18x

To provide the best support to our fleet and owner operator customers, Alcoa® Wheels is establishing the following Special Program for our 22.5” x 8.25” wheel part family ULA18xxx

For each ULA18xxx wheel that is returned to Howmet and that shows an open-end rim flange condition, two wheels of the same or equivalent 22.5” x 8.25” part number will be sent as warranty return. This action is limited only to cases in which warranty requests are filed directly with Alcoa® Wheels in line with Procedures for Howmet Wheel-for-Wheel Warranty System and only for wheels with part family ULA18xxx that are exhibiting an open-end rim flange condition

Warranty claims for any other Alcoa Wheels part family or for part family ULA18xxx with a different warranty condition are not eligible for this Special Program and will be treated in accordance with our Standard Limited Warranty Terms. 

To submit a warranty request directly with Alcoa® Wheels, please call at the number 1800 955 191 

Technical Resources 

Inspection Procedure for ULA18x 

Procedures for Howmet Wheel-for-Wheel Warranty System 

1. Call 1800 955 191. You will be transferred to our Warranty Department. 

2. A representative will ask you the following questions: 

  1. Dealer Code 
  1. Part number of the wheel 
  1. Date of manufacture 
  1. Manufacture Country of origin 
  1. Type of complaint (examples: bolt hole crack, hand hole crack, valve hole crack, bolt hole to hand hole crack, rim flange crack, etc.) 
  1. Name and contact information for end-user/fleet 
  1. Make, model and year of vehicle 
  1. Wheel position on vehicle (Steer, Outer Dual, Inner Dual) 

3. A return authorization number and shipping instructions will be given to you. Howmet requires a RGA number before shipping. Howmet will pay freight charges ONLY if the shipping instructions are followed. If shipping 4 or fewer, the wheel(s) MUST be put into a box with the RGA (Return Goods Authorisation #) number on the outside of the box and returned to the Warranty Department for inspection of the specific type of complaint. The Warranty Department will determine if the wheel is warrantable. 

4. Once we receive the wheel, we get the claim number (RGA) that was assigned from the package or paperwork. 

5. The wheel is assigned a receiving number for traceability, and the wheel is inspected. 

6. With RGA sheet we confirm if the wheel and the customer’s information are correct and change any discrepancies on the sheet. 

  1. We look for the mode of failure, check the P/N and date code and record all pertinent information (e.g., heat number, die code and manufacturer’s country of origin. 

7. All records are electronically stored. 

8. We create order number to send the customer new wheel(s). With shipping label there will be an RGA attached to the box so the customer can track the claim. 

*If the wheel(s) is warrantable, the Warranty Department will send a replacement wheel(s) back to the address given. Howmet will pay the associated freight and the replacement wheel(s) will be shipped. When a replacement wheel is not available, the Warranty Department will contact you about a substitute part or to discuss a time frame for shipping the requested replacement part number. 

*If returned wheel(s) is found not to comply with Howmet Warranty Guidelines, Howmet will notify the customer and will scrap the wheel(s) unless customer wants the wheel(s) back and will pay for all freight incurred. 

*This system is designed to have a replacement wheel(s) back to you within a two-week period, but this return window is not guaranteed. This requires the dealer to follow the shipping instructions of the Warranty Department. An example of a timeline: 

1. Customer calls Warranty Department, is given shipping instructions, and ships wheel(s)  

2. Wheel(s) are received at the Warranty Department (1-5 days later), inspected (0-1 day), and replacement wheel(s) are sent back (5-7 days shipping). 

 
3. In most cases, this procedure would take 3 to 11 working days, using a third-party courier company.  

If you have any questions, contact us 1800 955 191