Guy

Hello,

One on my wheels has some minor cosmetic issues. I was going to disassemble the wheel for prep and paint. Has anyone ever taken apart these modular wheels (remove face from rim)? I know Porsche has a mask kit but my bolt heads are a bit ugly as well so they will need to be painted black. I imagine torque on the allen head bolts is critical for wheel balance....any thoughts?

Mike J

I had one of my Targa wheels refinished and the wheel refinisher took the wheels apart, did the work and put them back together (Panther here in Vancouver). It came out pretty nice. There is another wheel refinisher in the area that would not touch it saying it was not possible....?

Since I did not do the work I don't know the torque but you most likely can just use the torque for the size of bolt. I would locktite the nuts and just use the same torque all around. I know the black bolts chip fairly easily so be careful.

You can always phone Panther...they are in Surrey, British Columbia. I don't have their number on hand, sorry.

Cheers,

Mike

Texas993

Wheel Enhancement says it cannot be done. And they want to sell you a new wheel. I also remember that the bolts are not available, so don't break one!

It sure has a lot of screws, it would take 1/2 a day to take one apart!

Mike J

I guess Wheel Enhancement is full of BS since I had it done. I seem to remember that they had a special tool made for the bolts, not sure.

There are not that many bolts...try to put together two 911 crankcase halves with 11 case through bolts and 22 perimeter studs in under 15 minutes, all properly torqued in a correct sequence! Now that was fun....

Cheers,

Mike

Texas993

No doubt you are right. They probably didn't want to fool with it and sell a new one instead.

It is interesting that your shop did it. Were your bolts rusty?

I am speaking from experiece with my former Targa.

Mike J

Here is the company that I used for my Targa wheels contact information:

Panther Precision Machine Ltd, #3 - 8116 130th Street, Surrey, British Columbia V3W 8J9

Local : 604 599 1542.
Toll Free: 1 800 805 7577

Cheers,

Mike

Amfab

It seems that the dealers dont wanna take the wheels apart to refinish, I don't know why. Here is the tech bulletin on it. (Thanks GeoLab)

Guy

Thanks for all the info.....my concern is that these modular wheels are like bicycle rims, and will lose "trueness" once disassembled.

I would just use the mask kit but would then have the ugly bolt heads remaining which also need to be sprayed.

I can live with the flaws, but am a good painter and can shoot them myself in base/clear. They dont need to be machined as they have no damage.

Funny, I really hated these wheels when I first saw them back in 96 but they have grown on me. Besides, they are what belongs on the car and I am a nut for "proper" appearance.