I hear some people are worried about CL wheels. Are they anymore difficult than wheels with lugs should you blow a tire etc.

Pros or Cons appreciated

 

I’ve had a couple CL equipt cars and yes they are more difficult to deal with than regular wheel hubs , i personally have all the required tools to remove wheels in my garage but that requires intent and initiative to acquire , not the casual tool list that might just happen to be laying around the average garage.

However… THIS is a new product that could greatly simplify anyones experience with CL life…


I will for sure buy this just because it’s awesome.🤩

 

Here's the updated HYTORC CL tool - they've changed it so it doesn't need the special nut. You should be able to buy one now, from the obsessed garage guy.

 

Here's the link to the product -- afaik he has a limited quantity of these, so buy now: https://www.obsessedgarage.com/produ...ock-torque-gun

 

I just watched this and posted it in the other, longer GTS config thread, and feel it would be helpful here as well. This guy does a great job of showing the proces, slowly, methodically removing a CL wheel, plugging a cup2 (*gasp*!), then reinstalling it. He has a couple different bars - a breaker bar, and a torque wrench. If you buy/assemble a little tire plugging kit to keep in in your frunk along side the bar, you can probably patch your tire on the go, should the need arise.

 

Some 3rd party (ie not Porsche) tire repair places will NOT service CL wheels. That’s a fact.

So, if you have a tire emergency out in the middle of the sticks, good chance you might have difficulty finding somebody nearby that will touch it.

 

I swapped for my winter wheels two weeks ago. It was the first time for me dealing with center locks and I was a bit apprehensive. But it ended up being a total breeze and just as fast as a five lug setup once you get the hang of it. All I bought this torque multiplier wrench and it works very well.

 

This ^ - and trust me, I'm wiling to race changing my 5 lug tires with someone who has center locks Watching Matt's video and how close that bar comes to the side of the car. Yikes. See @dhirm5 post above.

 

Damn my post got turned against me . At the end of the day, I think it's all much ado about nothing. We learn a couple new things, and we're richer for it.

 

short extension, problem solved.

 

I think if you are a person who is around a Porsche shop (or near) then cool. But for the weekend warrior they are kind of a pain. Of course, with the right tools and experience, fine - but I don't think I'd trust Discount Tire to go changing my wheels there (and I do trust them) - and the local Porsche dealer only wants $250 to swap wheels (ahem, I sort of expect a little something "special" when someone charges me that much for swapping my wheels).

Short story, the OP asked "Are they anymore difficult than wheels with lugs should you blow a tire etc.?" and I think that's been answered. The fact is, center lock wheels look cool as chit, but they are more difficult to change than wheels with lugs should you blow a tire.

 

Thank you! This is a weekend car and exactly my worry.

If I get a nail in my tire it’s easily resolved with standard wheels.

Sounds like it’s much more of a chore and flat bed to dealer with CL wheels

 

I cannot imagine doing that on the side of the road.

 

Yep, you are spot on.

Someone asks a simple question, and people answer a different question. Classic.

The short answer to the OP’s question is: yes, it is more difficult than changing a wheel with lug nuts.

 

Like anything new, the difficulty is in the learning process and some folks learn faster than others.