Why did that have to happen?
Discussion
Am after some help.
Again!
Have had my wheels refurbished for my Alfa GT Junior.
They are (were) Cosmic alloys.
The company did a great job of getting the wheels looking as good as new.
But, (why me?) when they went to put tyres on one of the wheel rims broke away.
Nothing that can be done about it and I was well aware that there was a risk in doing this with 40 odd year old wheels.
What can I do from here?
I cannot find any Cosmic alloys for sale, although they do come up occasionally, I don't want to have the car occupying all the garage on axle stands as it is at present - yes I have no spare at the moment which is another story.
Does anyone know where I could source a replacement wheel - depending on cost I am thinking of using one of my existing wheels as a pattern and getting one turned from billet - possible?
It is either that or source 4 new wheels, and to be frank, there are no cheap options there.
Ideas?
Again!
Have had my wheels refurbished for my Alfa GT Junior.
They are (were) Cosmic alloys.
The company did a great job of getting the wheels looking as good as new.
But, (why me?) when they went to put tyres on one of the wheel rims broke away.
Nothing that can be done about it and I was well aware that there was a risk in doing this with 40 odd year old wheels.
What can I do from here?
I cannot find any Cosmic alloys for sale, although they do come up occasionally, I don't want to have the car occupying all the garage on axle stands as it is at present - yes I have no spare at the moment which is another story.
Does anyone know where I could source a replacement wheel - depending on cost I am thinking of using one of my existing wheels as a pattern and getting one turned from billet - possible?
It is either that or source 4 new wheels, and to be frank, there are no cheap options there.
Ideas?
id guess getting a wheel made would be expensive.
i dont know what a billet one would be (but someone would have to 'draw' it first), but to get a die made to have alloys made costs about 40-50 grand for the die tool on its own and about 18 months of back and forthing arguing over tiny details and having sand cast samples made to check fitment and what not.
not really worth it unless your selling hundreds of them.....
{guess how i know!!!!}
good look with your seach, id guess you best option would be to find a cosmic off another vehicle and get the centre redrilled or something like that
i dont know what a billet one would be (but someone would have to 'draw' it first), but to get a die made to have alloys made costs about 40-50 grand for the die tool on its own and about 18 months of back and forthing arguing over tiny details and having sand cast samples made to check fitment and what not.
not really worth it unless your selling hundreds of them.....
{guess how i know!!!!}
good look with your seach, id guess you best option would be to find a cosmic off another vehicle and get the centre redrilled or something like that
I didn't have a spare and got cheap 2nd hand steel one from Classic Alfa, they always have a load in stock. That'll get it off the axle stands but don't know about Cosmics, sorry. Might be worth asking on AROC or AO.
On the subject of 'why did that have to happen' and bad luck. I took the Junior out of the garage yesterday to go get some electrics done. Its a tight manouvre out but I've been doing it for 5 years. Somehow managed to scrape the wheel arch down the garage door and take chunk out of the filler holding the arch together. Bummer.... but only myself to blame!
On the subject of 'why did that have to happen' and bad luck. I took the Junior out of the garage yesterday to go get some electrics done. Its a tight manouvre out but I've been doing it for 5 years. Somehow managed to scrape the wheel arch down the garage door and take chunk out of the filler holding the arch together. Bummer.... but only myself to blame!
Edited by jimmyjam on Friday 9th October 13:54
Dont want to sound like the "prophet of doom" but Id throw out the other 3 wheels, if one broke while having a tyre fitted Id imagine that any of the others could fail when youre driving, it could be the last drive in a classic youll ever take. Personally my lifes worth a bit more than what a set of wheels would cost. If you want to keep the cosmics and find a replacement you could get them X rayed or crack tested, it may cost but better safe than sorry.
I think that the Ford and Alfa bolt patterns are pretty similar - assuming it's a 4-stud wheel - GTVs certainly were. Ford is 4 x 108mm PCD. Have a vague recollection that the Alfa studs were smaller diameter than the Ford so if using the GTV axle you had to use larger studs if using Ford wheel bolts.
Personally I'd get in touch with an Alfa breakers, get a cheap set of standard steel wheels (get 5!) so that the car is useable again.
Then (assuming they are mk2 cosmics) I'd set up a favourite search on ebay , they are a relatively common period wheel and eventually (this may take months!) a set will turn up.
I'd also put regular wanted adds on as many Alfa forums /websites as I could find, and do a little research just in case they fit another type of car.
Then (assuming they are mk2 cosmics) I'd set up a favourite search on ebay , they are a relatively common period wheel and eventually (this may take months!) a set will turn up.
I'd also put regular wanted adds on as many Alfa forums /websites as I could find, and do a little research just in case they fit another type of car.
At least get the three remaining wheels crack tested as well as any 'new' ones that you buy.
I had a Revolution wheel break on a race car; the four spokes broke away from the outer ring on a three piece wheel. We had the remaining centres checked and another one was also cracked. No prior impact damage that we were aware of and no impact when it broke, just hard braking!
I had a Revolution wheel break on a race car; the four spokes broke away from the outer ring on a three piece wheel. We had the remaining centres checked and another one was also cracked. No prior impact damage that we were aware of and no impact when it broke, just hard braking!
Thanks all.
The other wheels have been tested.
The one that broke up had gone very porous - when the tyre was stretched over the rim it folded in on itself.
The guys at the wheel place wouldn't let me take the rest until they had had the chance to test them - they are a very good company and I'd trust their judgement and tests of the wheels.
Time for some research into seeing if the Ford wheels are viable.
(I've got some steel wheels on their way.)
The other wheels have been tested.
The one that broke up had gone very porous - when the tyre was stretched over the rim it folded in on itself.
The guys at the wheel place wouldn't let me take the rest until they had had the chance to test them - they are a very good company and I'd trust their judgement and tests of the wheels.
Time for some research into seeing if the Ford wheels are viable.
(I've got some steel wheels on their way.)
This company has a good reputation within the rally world, they can change PCD's etc
http://www.alloywheelrepairs.com/about.htmThis
http://www.alloywheelrepairs.com/about.htmThis
Edited by leyorkie on Saturday 10th October 11:44
Gassing Station | Classic Cars and Yesterday's Heroes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff