Are hollow spokes worth it?
06-05-2009, 12:24 AM
#33
Addict
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Rennlist Member
I got my hollows for my 4s from a 996 TT S. From the color they are somewhat darker. I paid $1200 with good Michelin tires.
I already drove 2000 miles through all New England states with them and have not got one bent.
Very reliable and good / appropriate looking for the car.
Jack
I already drove 2000 miles through all New England states with them and have not got one bent.
Very reliable and good / appropriate looking for the car.
Jack
chuck
06-05-2009, 09:35 AM
#36
Rennlist Member
BUT, here's something that happened to me that you should watch out for: if the wheels have been refinished (or will be) BE SURE to have them done by somebody who is very good at it. Or, if they are used and the history is unknown, be sure to have them checked out carefully.
What can happen is that during refinishing, crud can get into a spoke thru the valve (they are hollow, after all) if the person's not careful. Or it can happen if there's been moisture and/or dirt introduced into a spoke during tire replacement, etc.. Any dirt or other material will mix with moisture and spin itself onto a spoke side and throw off your wheel balance permanently. Apparently it gets stuck/fused to a spoke side as the wheel spins.
What can happen is that during refinishing, crud can get into a spoke thru the valve (they are hollow, after all) if the person's not careful. Or it can happen if there's been moisture and/or dirt introduced into a spoke during tire replacement, etc.. Any dirt or other material will mix with moisture and spin itself onto a spoke side and throw off your wheel balance permanently. Apparently it gets stuck/fused to a spoke side as the wheel spins.
06-05-2009, 10:34 AM
#37
Drifting
I wonder if there is any way to tell if you have any crub in them? I have a newly purchased refinished set without valve stems sitting here, but no way to tell if there has been anything inside....
06-05-2009, 11:09 AM
#38
Three Wheelin'
Bob-
06-05-2009, 04:54 PM
#41
Burning Brakes
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How about this approach? Take the valve stem out, hold the wheel so that the valve opening is at the bottom/lowest point and shake the wheel and see if anything come out? It's pretty hard to defy gravity. I can't imagine that any significant amount of blasting material could enter the hollowed out section of the wheel thru the valve opening. I guess you could fill them up, but it would need to be an intended effort.
Bob-
Bob-
It doesn't take much weight to throw off the balance. Mine was irritating at around 60 mph. It wouldn't balance on the Hunter. After the replacement, all is perfect now.
06-05-2009, 06:17 PM
#42
Three Wheelin'
You would think, but it happened to me. The place I got them from (very reputable) says it's rare but they've seen it before. Apparently any moisture added makes it stick the spoke wall. Not just refinishing material but any crud (dirt, etc.)
It doesn't take much weight to throw off the balance. Mine was irritating at around 60 mph. It wouldn't balance on the Hunter. After the replacement, all is perfect now.
It doesn't take much weight to throw off the balance. Mine was irritating at around 60 mph. It wouldn't balance on the Hunter. After the replacement, all is perfect now.
This might be a stupid question, but did it balance before refinishing?
06-06-2009, 01:47 AM
#43
Burning Brakes
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WE didn't imply that it was definitely from some prior refinishing, although that's the usual culprit. It can happen if crap/dirt/moisture/whatever gets in there someway somehow somewhere.
