The short answer is, yes generally you can file a claim with the government agency responsible for the roads for damage caused by poor maintenance. Responsibility for the roads is divided among local, county and state authorities. However, there are many caveats that should be understood. There may be limitations related to the concept of sovereign immunity. You probably have to file a notice of claim with the authority before you take action. You may have a very short time in which to make the claim. It is likely that the agency will simply deny your claim and you may have to file a lawsuit against the responsible authority and prove that their maintenance practices, and not your driving, was the cause of the damages. The particular rights and responsibilities you have in such a case are likely governed by state laws, and of course we have 50 different sets of those.

There is no accepted concept here akin to what you describe. The assumption here is that you will have to prove your case, beyond simply filing a claim and wading through the red tape.

 

51 sets of rules when you throw in DC.
I say Rhode Island lays claim to be the king (and queen) of potholes. Awful here in Spring. Low bidder always wins the road construction contracts.

 

I damaged one of my wheels five years ago, I had to go from City to County to State before I finally got it resolved (and reimbursed).

 

Once a wheel is cracked it will always be cracked.... I had 2 of my Sentas repaired and the cracks came back...

 

Kaliminos - my least favourite wheel. Does anyone have hands small enought to clean in between those spokes?

Add to that, I've had a porous rim on the LH front ever since I got the XK. It loses around 1 psi a week whilst the other three can go six months without dropping. Wheel specialist couldn't find anything structurally wrong with it and both front tyres have been replaced.

I started my search for a used replacement two years ago. Sets turn up from time to time but single wheels are a rarity and I'd change all four before paying JLR price. Finally found a new one at BRITCAR today. Arranged delivery in the New Year so hopefully this draws a line under the issue.

I've had XK8's and XK's on 18 inch, 19 inch and 20 inch rims. The Kalimnos is the second coupe on 20 inch. My future preference is for 19 inch as the best compromise for appearance and comfort.

Graham

 

Hi Graham,

Did your wheel specialist do a "dunk test" to pinpoint the source(s) of the leak? If not, how can you be sure that it is, in fact, porous? And how will you know that your new wheel isn't porous or that the tire doesn't leak around the bead unless you do a dunk test before you install it?

I agree with you about not repairing a porous wheel because it doesn't have the same structural integrity as a non-porous wheel and is not as safe. But who am I to disagree with General Motors? Read this:
https://www.popularmechanics.com/car...12293/4297504/

Stuart

 

Stuart,

They stripped the wheel and checked for cracks, distortion and then the assembled wheel/tyre for leaks at the bead or valve mounting. All negative. We then replaced the tyre (did both sides as I didn't want a mismatch in tread wear) but it still loses at the same small rate. It's a nuisance but would require a laboratory rather than a wheel specialist to locate the precise source of loss.

Unlike many who replace defective parts and then sell them on ebay (), I'll hang the old one on the garage wall in case I drop into a pothole and damage the new one.

Graham