Aftermarket replica wheels for DE
#16
Still plays with cars.
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
George - sorry too many posts for my feeble mind I guess. The cracking/breaking problem with replicas surfaced quite early on. The real Fuchs are now old and time and stress takes its toll. I don't know for sure that wheels suffer from metal fatigue but, that's my guess, along with corrosion.
This weekend I was watching historic ferraris race. I admire those guys. I am not sure I would be going 150 MPH in a 50 year old car ..metal fatigue affects more than just wheels - brake pedals and linkages come to mind!
This weekend I was watching historic ferraris race. I admire those guys. I am not sure I would be going 150 MPH in a 50 year old car ..metal fatigue affects more than just wheels - brake pedals and linkages come to mind!
#17
Nordschleife Master
Originally Posted by Geo
My point is that someone said the replicas crack. I said so do the real ones, what's the difference? You said age. I said the replicas are just as old, what's the difference?
#18
Rennlist
Basic Site Sponsor
Basic Site Sponsor
All wheels are prone to crack and fail, some more likely than others. We just experienced a front wheel failure on a 1 year old Japanese wheel (on my son's Mitsu EVO 8). Fortunately it happened on a low speed, high load corner, and we were able to stop immediately. 4 out of 5 of the spokes failed. Previously, the wheel was in perfect condition, and visually inspected before the event.
Like any other part, the strength must be matched to the application. I am sure that this wheel would have been fine on a 150 hp 2200 lb Honda Civic, but it was insufficient for a 300hp 3200 lb EVO 8 on R tires.
The risk isn't worth the gain you get by saving a few lbs. And you have to factor age into the equasion. I have seen a few older BBS centers fail too. I especially would not consider running older wheels on higher HP, heavier cars. And as far as the forged Fuchs/cast replicas go, the replicas were prone to failure when they came out 30 years ago. The forged Fuchs were not, although once again, I would not be trusting my life to a 30 year old wheel.
Like any other part, the strength must be matched to the application. I am sure that this wheel would have been fine on a 150 hp 2200 lb Honda Civic, but it was insufficient for a 300hp 3200 lb EVO 8 on R tires.
The risk isn't worth the gain you get by saving a few lbs. And you have to factor age into the equasion. I have seen a few older BBS centers fail too. I especially would not consider running older wheels on higher HP, heavier cars. And as far as the forged Fuchs/cast replicas go, the replicas were prone to failure when they came out 30 years ago. The forged Fuchs were not, although once again, I would not be trusting my life to a 30 year old wheel.
__________________
Larry Herman
2016 Ford Transit Connect Titanium LWB
2018 Tesla Model 3 - Electricity can be fun!
Retired Club Racer & National PCA Instructor
Past Flames:
1994 RS America Club Racer
2004 GT3 Track Car
1984 911 Carrera Club Racer
1974 914/4 2.0 Track Car
CLICK HERE to see some of my ancient racing videos.
Larry Herman
2016 Ford Transit Connect Titanium LWB
2018 Tesla Model 3 - Electricity can be fun!
Retired Club Racer & National PCA Instructor
Past Flames:
1994 RS America Club Racer
2004 GT3 Track Car
1984 911 Carrera Club Racer
1974 914/4 2.0 Track Car
CLICK HERE to see some of my ancient racing videos.
#19
Race Director
Originally Posted by Bob Rouleau
George - sorry too many posts for my feeble mind I guess. The cracking/breaking problem with replicas surfaced quite early on. The real Fuchs are now old and time and stress takes its toll. I don't know for sure that wheels suffer from metal fatigue but, that's my guess, along with corrosion.
This weekend I was watching historic ferraris race. I admire those guys. I am not sure I would be going 150 MPH in a 50 year old car ..metal fatigue affects more than just wheels - brake pedals and linkages come to mind!
This weekend I was watching historic ferraris race. I admire those guys. I am not sure I would be going 150 MPH in a 50 year old car ..metal fatigue affects more than just wheels - brake pedals and linkages come to mind!
I know understand what you driving at.
BTW, I am not terribly worried about my Fuchs. Any wheel could be a problem and like others I'll just have to keep inspecting them.
#20
Super Moderator
Needs More Cowbell
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Needs More Cowbell
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
One other point to consider regarding replicas......
Mille Miglia C2 Turbo 17" replica wheels have an issue at DE Tech lines, as a 'soft socket' (one with a plastic sleeve on the outside) won't fit. Apparently, the diameter/taper of the lug nut hole in the wheel isn't exactly the same as an OEM wheel.
It just tends to clog up things when they can't verify early morning lug nut torque.
Mille Miglia C2 Turbo 17" replica wheels have an issue at DE Tech lines, as a 'soft socket' (one with a plastic sleeve on the outside) won't fit. Apparently, the diameter/taper of the lug nut hole in the wheel isn't exactly the same as an OEM wheel.
It just tends to clog up things when they can't verify early morning lug nut torque.
#21
Technical Specialist
Rennlist
Lifetime Member
Rennlist
Lifetime Member
Related question: why are replica Fuchs in particular always banned on the Tech Inspection Forms?
Last edited by Bill Gregory; 06-29-2005 at 10:49 PM.
#22
Still plays with cars.
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Lewis - My fancy OZ 3 piece Superleggera wheels have the same problem. We gave up using soft sockets on our tech line because the problem is relatively common.
#23
Why not settle on "take offs," rather than "knock offs?" I have a 2002 996 and use 17" original Boxster S wheels. The price, if you can get your hands on them, are reasonable--and they're Porsche OEM's.
#24
Drifting
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 3,199
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm trying to find some 18"hollow spokes or '02 Carreras, it's not easy, very hard to come by. WE has squat right now. I'm probably going to get the CCWs.