Handling with the free spinning rims. | FerrariChat

Handling with the free spinning rims.

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by Ekasilicon, Oct 31, 2003.

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  1. Ekasilicon

    Ekasilicon Formula Junior

    Jan 21, 2003
    507
    I am sure that everyone has seen those SUV's with the rims that continue to spin when the vehicle is stopped. There is a guy that works in the same building as I do that has an Audi S4 with those rims. The other day I parked my car and I saw his car a few stalls away from mine. I went over and spun the rim, and was quite surprised to find that the free spinning part of the rim weighed a few pounds.

    Does anybody know how this would effect handling at higher speeds?
     
  2. Jason W

    Jason W Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    Oct 31, 2003
    969
    Singapore
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    Jason
    Maybe it'll act like a prop plane and fly away.

    ;)
     
  3. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Formula Junior

    Apr 17, 2003
    563
    Groningen
    Full Name:
    Bob Hagendijk
    I think it is ****, it will react ar very heavy steering. take a front wheel of a bike, hold the axels and ask somebody to give it a spin. Then try to turn the wheel. The harder it spins, it is harder to turn the wheel. I think the same happens with the wheels on that car, resulting in very heavy steering. Don't know how power steering reacts to that.
     
  4. beast

    beast F1 World Champ

    May 31, 2003
    11,479
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    Rob Guess
    I dont think they affect pwer steering at all since power assist give more than ample boost when it is functioning correctly.

    I myself do not care much for the spinners.
     
  5. pdavis

    pdavis Rookie

    Oct 31, 2003
    37
    Morristown New Jersey
    Full Name:
    Preston
    A better question is why would anyone want them? I wonder what it takes to clean the brake dust off of them? pd :D
     
  6. beast

    beast F1 World Champ

    May 31, 2003
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    Kids of course want them. It adds to the "coolness factor" of the car. All i see is it draining the wallet of cash.
     
  7. JOEV

    JOEV F1 Rookie
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    Aug 6, 2003
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    Of all the bling bling accessories, the spinning wheels have got to be the most awful invention. I expect to see them on an Escalade, but on an S4? Wow :eek:
     
  8. darth550

    darth550 Six Time F1 World Champ
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    Jul 14, 2003
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    I can only hope and pray that I never have to see spinners on a leased Mo DEEE nah!


    DL
     
  9. mk e

    mk e F1 World Champ

    Oct 31, 2003
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    The Butcher
    Probably just adding the weight to the wheel is the worse than the gyro effect. It will make the ride more harsh.
     
  10. seschroeder

    seschroeder Formula Junior

    Apr 25, 2002
    251
    Alexandria, VA
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    Steve Schroeder
    The "gyro" effect can't help the wheel bearings. I think they look like crap but then I'm old, bald, and cranky!!
     
  11. Gilles27

    Gilles27 F1 World Champ

    Mar 16, 2002
    13,337
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    Jack
    Some manufacturers recently spoke out on the issue. Their concern was that, by adding so much unsprung weight to the wheels, owners were negatively affecting the suspension geometry of the cars. Aftermarket proponents countered by saying that it was all bad propoganda to get them to buy manufacturer wheels and so on. I have to think they have some effect on the cars.

    Another thing I always wondered about was those car stereos that "boom" so loud, you can hear the car vibrating. Won't that damage the car in the long run?
     
  12. beast

    beast F1 World Champ

    May 31, 2003
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    Rob Guess
    They had an article in Auto Week that talked about 20 and 22 " wheels causing suspension damage to cars not designed for them. As for the stereo that boom sure they destroy to car in short order since if you look close you can see the body panels flexing this will put wear on the hinge pins of the doors and anything else that pivots.

    rob Guess "The Other Rob"
     
  13. Noelrp

    Noelrp Formula Junior

    Aug 30, 2001
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    SSF
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    Noel
    Those wheels start from $10,000 and up.

    That is just wrong when the wheels costs just as much as the car itself.
     
  14. beast

    beast F1 World Champ

    May 31, 2003
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    I saw a clapped out Datsun pick up truck the other day with those on. What a waste. of course he could have been using them to help get the roach down the road!!
     
  15. vraa

    vraa F1 Rookie
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    Oct 31, 2003
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    Mr. A
    I don't think it's more like the suspension getting messed up, otherwise the local Cadillac dealer here wouldn't sell those stock and same with the Range dealer. You walk in on one side and most of the SUV's on that end either have like 24's, or Davins, or even those tacky add ons.

    But hey, in the long run (where no one expects British and American cars to go :)D)) they might wreck havoc.
     
  16. NeuroBeaker

    NeuroBeaker Advising Moderator
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    Oct 1, 2008
    38,744
    Huntsville, AL., USA
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    Andrew

    I saw a rusted out Nissan Micra with absolutely enormous spinners on them earlier today. It looked ridiculous. Well, those rims look ridiculous anyway, but even more so when they're SUV-sized wheels fitted to one of these:


    Only, this one wasn't nearly in that good a condition. I bet each individual wheel with its painted on tires cost (without exaggeration) ten times more than the whole car itself. Of course, I didn't tell the unsavory-looking individual driving the thing any of this - he was probably a pimp or a drug dealer. :eek:

    All the best,
    Andrew.
     
  17. Mitch Alsup

    Mitch Alsup F1 Veteran

    Nov 4, 2003
    9,252
    People with spinners either don't care about performance or have no idea what performance actually is.
     

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