ss951

Just got a phone call from my wheel repair shop saying they can't repair my rear wheel because the bent lip (outside) is too thin. The same wheel was repaired last year and in the process, the lip get slightly re-machined for good circularity, removing some material each time... The wheel is a polished 18x10 RH 3.6 Turbo (P) with a 52 mm offset.

My biggest surprised/deception comes from RH, which refuses to sell lips separately. Of course, they offer to repair it for a price that's just below that of a new wheel... To me, this totally defeats the purpose of a 3-pc wheel and sends a clear signal that the company cares more about their profits than their customers. Of course, they can always hide behind the safety/manufacturer quality excuses and claim that only THEY can do a proper repair, meaning that all other reputable wheel repair shops out there are incompetent. Yes, you will find bad repair shops out there, but the same logic applies (to a much larger extent in fact..) to car parts. Have you ever seen a car manufacturer that claims they cannot sell you a tie-rod end if they do not install it themselves, simply because they care too much about your safety.

Anyways... let me know if anyone has suggestions.

Epic2112

Call up these guys and see what they have to say.

http://www.wheelcollision.com/

ss951

Thanks for the info.
Just called them and they would have to send the wheel to RH as well ...They sounded like nice people.
I would not mind spitting the ~ 900$ canadian (525$US repair+ shipping+ duties+ brokerage+ CDNtax..) if I knew I would not bend it again, but so far I had 4 wheels bent in the last 2+ yrs.. (thanks to our legendary Quebec roads..) so I am looking for a more economic solution for now

Epic2112

The only thing I can think of is 16 or 17 inch wheels. Otherwise something is going to bend somewhere.

JBH

The outer lips on these wheels bend just looking at them the wrong way - this will be a recurring problem. I finally used my leather hammer and a smal block of wood. I can get mine to look pretty close to new.

My opinion is the wheels are almost throw-aways. Once they stain, peel, chip and bend too badly, it's time to buy a new set. The only alternative was the Kinesis Supercup, but they stopped manufacturing them.

C2 Turbo

I suppose BW motorsports makes the same 3.6 Turbo style wheels as well and to top it off the outers on BW wheels come from Kinesis too Just thought to let you know.
O btw BW motorsports will soon be coming out with 3.6 Turbo style wheels but in a reversed lip style now thats what i have been waiting for

JS

Call Wheel Enhancement.

JBH

Wheel Enhancement will tell you to call RH.

The BW Motorsports might be a better wheel if they use the Kinesis outer rim. The RH is just so flimsy.

ss951

Any chances that Kinesis or BW outer rims fit the RH? Would need the same #of screws, lip interface width and offset, I'd be surprised...

BTW, the best way I found to prevent bending is to run a high tire pressure (40-45psi..). Never bent a wheel since (ie a full summer of daily driving), except of course for the current wheel, but this time, it bent because I had a flat tire... I must be lucky

C2 Turbo

Your best bet would be to call Allen Baylos at Kinesis motorsports and ask him if the lkinesis outer lip would fit your RH wheel or even better if he could repair the wheel for you.

ss951

YS,
That's an idea, Thanks. Will try Monday and let you know.

Alan Baylis

Sorry, the Kinesis Motorsport parts are not interchangeable with RH wheels. Time for new wheels?

ss951

Alan, thanks for the bad news..

BTW, does Kinesis sell outer/inner lips separately for their wheels? I'm asking since, from now on, this will always be a consideration in my future purchases of 3-pc wheels.

Serge

Alan Baylis

Yes, we do offer repair services.

ss951

Well, what I meant is can someone purchase a lip from Kinesis so that their wheel shop installs it.