What's the best way to do this.
Thanks (as always!)
Bought a set of used mags... just want to check they are straight before sending them off for coating and mounting wheels.
What's the best way to do this.
Thanks (as always!)
ask a favour of a tyre fitting outlet.
ask them if they will run them up on their balancing machine for you.
just a thought.
Thanks for getting back to me.
I'd thought about that... is that all I really need to do?
errr, what do you mean by "true"?
I would have thought fitting them to a raised axle and spinning the wheel would show any out of roundness or rim wobble.
As for heavy spots, you would need to take to tyre balancing place; that can be corrected with weights.
I would assume they would be reasonably blanced when they left the factory and should remain so unless large chunks have been taken out of them.
so about these used mags, care to post some pictures once you have unstuck the pages? 
Putting on a hub and checking with dial gauge would be my proposal too. If you dont have a dial gauge you could also just use a probe (bent bit of
wire etc) - if it touches all way round they are true, if there is a gap at one point it could indicate they are buckled.
Second method would be to get tyre shop to put on balancing machine and look for any wobble or use dial gauge etc methods.
Would you need to check both sides of the wheel in case the rim has been damaged on one side only? Dont know the answer myself - just a thought.
quote:
Originally posted by 02GF74
errr, what do you mean by "true"?
Usual way is just to jack the car up and set an axle stand up and clamp any kind of pointer (ie a screw driver) set close to the wheel rim edge ---
spin the slowly wheel and any major error will be obvious.
Wheels don't have to be anything like as accurate as say brake discs as the tyre it carries is much more likely to have much more run out.
Another good way of checking rims is with a wheel alignment gauge (Dunlop/Sealey Optical type is ideal) check the toe in note it down
then move the car forward so the wheel rotates 90 degrees check the toe in note it down
Repeat until the wheel has rotated 360 degrees..
[Edited on 16/10/08 by britishtrident]
Are they newish mags? I seem to recall reading something in a magazine like classic ford that old 2nd hand mags need to be bought with care, cant
recall what the issues are though. Probs just that as you say they are more prone to damage and often found on sportier cars (race cars etc).
if the stud pattern is common to other cars is there anyone else nearby who may be willing to let you bolt them on for a quick check. Id guess you
would like to know before you get them refurbed etc in case they have to be sent back.
Oh - just read again - i assume you cant check on any hubs as you dont know anyone else who has centre lock hubs on their car either.
Only other way i can think of is to get tyres taken off, place on a flat surface (surface table would be best but dont know anyone who has one of
those in their garage!) then try and use a height gauge around the rim or feeler gauges on the underside. This may only show up rim distortion rather
than full wheel buckling.
Some good idea's... good point also raised that you can be 'too' paranoid about rim straightness !
They ex-racing car wheels Darren, so perhaps I should be looking for someone to X-Ray them... never done this before - sounds expensive but so does
getting them powdercoated, and wheels fitted / balanced and THEN discovering there's a problem!
Next Q... where can I get them X-Rayed? And no, it will take forever if I have to try and get them an appointment at my local hospital!
Pic HERE.
Older Dymags, but should look quite spangly when done in Satin Black.
17 x 10's, so can just get away with my huge rears and big fronts!
i dont think i would go to those lengths. By the time you get them fully checked out it may be cheaper to buy new.
You may have more success getting them crack detected after the coating has been removed if you really want to get them checked out. I seem to recall
Bodycote have the facility (near Birmingham). i think they pass a fluid over the wheels with a substance in it that shows up under special lights. The
theory being that the special stuff is held in a crack and therefore becomes visible (i think it is ultra violet light). Not sure if this only works
on ferrous objects though, they mau need to magnetise the object being tested.
Problem will be though taking them to get stripped, then checked, then back for powder coating (unless bodycote can do the full process for you??)
Oooooh - nice wheels. See why you are bothering now. i bet they were pricey new.
[Edited on 16/10/08 by DarrenW]
Just found their website for you.
http://www.bodycote.com/?OB=1
Didnt realise they were this big. Im hoping their is one close to you so you can call in for the soft approach to see if they will help you out.
Ive always thought they are a large company suited to volume repeat work but will also look to do smaller one off jobs when they can.
Worth a post on here to see if anyone works there or has a contact.
quote:
Originally posted by scootz
Next Q... where can I get them X-Rayed? And no, it will take forever if I have to try and get them an appointment at my local hospital!
I'd have no idea what to look for... probably a big crack!
Right - to bring this one to a close... I shall visually inspect the wheels and see where we go from their! If they look straight - then fair enough!
If there are no hairline cracks visible, then fair enough!
quote:
Originally posted by scootz
I'd have no idea what to look for... probably a big crack!
Right - to bring this one to a close... I shall visually inspect the wheels and see where we go from their! If they look straight - then fair enough! If there are no hairline cracks visible, then fair enough!
Cheers guys!