| Author | Message | ||
| CHRIS ANDERSON (Rusty2)
New member Username: Rusty2 Post Number: 1 Registered: 6-2003 |
THESE WERE FACTORY CHALLENGE WHEELS | ||
| Steven J. Solomon (Solly)
Member Username: Solly Post Number: 489 Registered: 6-2001 |
Thanks for the info. I'm returning the wheels to BBS to see what they will do, or if this is a common problem with track cars. Mechanics from classic coach said they had never seen this type of break before | ||
| Ben Cannon (Artherd)
Member Username: Artherd Post Number: 432 Registered: 6-2002 |
Solid magnesium can burn too, it is just very hard to ignite a tranny casting for example, because it conducts and spreads heat throughout very fast. An oxy-acetylene torch focused on a tab or casting rib WILL light it  Dust ignites much easier, because it's much lower mass is far far easier to heat (hence scraping across a track can light the dust, which in turn can light the bigger casting.) Best! Ben. | ||
| "The Dave" (Sparetireless)
Junior Member Username: Sparetireless Post Number: 105 Registered: 1-2003 |
You can have them penetrant inspected by an aircraft shop, its done all the time for all kinds of parts, it cheap and it works. Other methods include magnetic partical and x-ray. They sound fancy but its very simple test for cracks. (know any doctors?? x-ray is x-ray. It works) | ||
| Sid Larrie (Sidlarrie)
New member Username: Sidlarrie Post Number: 2 Registered: 11-2002 |
I have BBS Challenge wheels off the Challenge Race cars on my 360 I drive on the street. I've hit so many sharp edge potholes so many times I can't even count and my wheels are perfect. I have probably 8k miles on them. My friend has them on his 360 longer than me and his are perfect too. | ||
| James Glickenhaus (Napolis)
Intermediate Member Username: Napolis Post Number: 1499 Registered: 10-2002 |
Rob I raced on polished mags in my Lola as well. Was a bit*h to keep them looking "Pensky like". As I now run that car on the street I use alum wheels which as rims are polished still take work. I didn't realize it's the mag dust that burns. Thanks. Best Jim | ||
| Rob Schermerhorn (Rexrcr)
Member Username: Rexrcr Post Number: 638 Registered: 11-2002 |
BTW, don't pound out a bent magnesium wheel, especially one with a tire mounted to it. You'll crack it for sure, and with a tire mounted, it'll explode in your face. Cosmetically damaged magnesium wheels can be repaired by welding on new material and machining/polishing. | ||
| Jim Schad (Jim_schad)
Intermediate Member Username: Jim_schad Post Number: 1355 Registered: 7-2002 |
here is a link that says they are magnesium. http://www.qv500.com/ferrarif355p3.htm "...Distinctive forged monolite Speedline magnesium five-spoke wheels shod with slick tyres completed the race-derived configuration." | ||
| Rob Schermerhorn (Rexrcr)
Member Username: Rexrcr Post Number: 637 Registered: 11-2002 |
Challenge wheels (other than 348 17's) are all magnesium. F355 OEM wheels are also magnesium. Street driving usually is no cause for maintenance concern until about 10 years of age, then I'd test magnesium wheels on a street car. BTW, James, I've run bare polished magnesium wheels on race cars. It used to be very popular to run bare polished mags, but the continual maintenance is a PITA as they oxidize so quickly. And you're right about flamability, it's the dust from machining that's the huge risk for racers; once it goes up in flames, there's no stopping it until it's all consumed. Whole castings like wheels or transmission cases are not a fire risk. One could hit a casting with a torch with no risk, it's really the dust (or grinding a broken wheel against the track). | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 5139 Registered: 12-2000 |
Are the 355 Speedlines magnesium? | ||
| James Glickenhaus (Napolis)
Intermediate Member Username: Napolis Post Number: 1497 Registered: 10-2002 |
Solly Rob is right! For club racing I'd use alum wheels or really check mine often. If you ever feel something funky STOP! If you get a flat STOP! Mag wheels can also catch on fire if you drive on them with a flat. It happened to Amon in my P4. When they go they really go. If they get a paint chip touch it up quickly. Don't let them come in contact unpainted with air. Best Jim | ||
| Rob Schermerhorn (Rexrcr)
Member Username: Rexrcr Post Number: 634 Registered: 11-2002 |
Magnesium wheels should be stripped of paint and crack checked by a FAA certified shop. I do this every year for pro-racing, every two for a club car depending on age and milage. They are extremely notch-sensitive. Your cracks could easily have been growing over a year, one finally goes all the way through, which overloads the others, and they fail in short order. I've seen it. Magnesium wheels are definately a maintenance item even on a road car after ten years. Not as forgiving as aluminum. | ||
| Steven J. Solomon (Solly)
Member Username: Solly Post Number: 484 Registered: 6-2001 |
Was at Watkins Glen this past weekend, went out for 1st run, didn't hit anything, came back in and the guys from classic coach noticed that 3 of the struts on my rear wheel were cracked all the way through (3 in a row). Almost looked like someone sawed through them. Anyone else had a problem with Challenge wheels? I could understand a bent rim or bent struts after hitting a pothole or other object, but there wasn't even a scuff mark on the tire. Cracks were midway between hub and rim. Lucky they spotted it and I had a spare. A wheel blowing itself apart at 130 mph would not have been fun. I know these are lightweight and delicate rims, but cracks of unknown origin are scary. what if other wheels have this incipient problem and I just can't see it yet? |