tool for S4s wheels where to get or make?
Discussion
I need to take the centre out of my OZ wheels from my S4s. I remember reading somewhere here that someone has solved this tool mystery. Please remind me. Is there a tool I can buy? Or I remember that someone made a program to cut a tool from plate steel.
Dont ask me how I feel about Quebec Potholes.
Dont ask me how I feel about Quebec Potholes.
bojangles said:
I need to take the centre out of my OZ wheels from my S4s. I remember reading somewhere here that someone has solved this tool mystery. Please remind me. Is there a tool I can buy? Or I remember that someone made a program to cut a tool from plate steel.
Dont ask me how I feel about Quebec Potholes.
Dont ask me how I feel about Quebec Potholes.
I believe it's just a torx with the center drilled. Or you can look for tamper proof torx (star drive).
try here
www.mcmaster.com
search for "tamper proof torx"
bojangles said:
HELP!!!!!!!!!
"O.Z.'s proprietary fasteners"
www.tirerack.com/wheels/tech/techpage.jsp?techid=145
This could be an urban myth, but....I was told that the only people in posession of the correct tool was the Judd racing team.
I am quite sure that the rapid deterioration in these wheels coupled with the difficulty in dismantling them, is what lead to Lotus changing the wheel type to the monobloc type.
Having said all that, I knew a guy who had an S4s and his wheels were absolutely PRISTINE at all times. He had them regularly refurbished by a firm called Proclean in Prescot, Merseyside UK. Their phone number is: 44 151 426 1885. I am sure they will remember Eric with the dark blue Lotus Esprit from Maghull as they always remarked on how he insisted on perfect wheels at all times. Maybe if you called them, they might have some clues for you.
I am quite sure that the rapid deterioration in these wheels coupled with the difficulty in dismantling them, is what lead to Lotus changing the wheel type to the monobloc type.
Having said all that, I knew a guy who had an S4s and his wheels were absolutely PRISTINE at all times. He had them regularly refurbished by a firm called Proclean in Prescot, Merseyside UK. Their phone number is: 44 151 426 1885. I am sure they will remember Eric with the dark blue Lotus Esprit from Maghull as they always remarked on how he insisted on perfect wheels at all times. Maybe if you called them, they might have some clues for you.
In the USA the tool is probably available from Fastenal as they have just about every torx pin configuration made. You will have to find a local store through their nationwide locator.
Then you will have to call them or drop by. We use this company for specialty fasteners for use in security applications. I'm not sure if I have the OZ tip in my security kit but I will have to check once I get home. I have a driver handle with most of the torx/hex pins and snake eye bolt heads. Not sure if Fastenal has individual heads and you might have to buy the kit. It's not much about $40 or so, sorry don't remeber the exact cost.
Calvin
Then you will have to call them or drop by. We use this company for specialty fasteners for use in security applications. I'm not sure if I have the OZ tip in my security kit but I will have to check once I get home. I have a driver handle with most of the torx/hex pins and snake eye bolt heads. Not sure if Fastenal has individual heads and you might have to buy the kit. It's not much about $40 or so, sorry don't remeber the exact cost.
Calvin
Edited by cnh1990 on Wednesday 13th September 15:33
I appreciate the replies.. I am still empty handed.
Let me know if you find something Calvin, do you know what the head is like?
Also as a side note, I was at my favorite car repair place today and there was a 300ZX tt there that had OZ 3 piece wheels with the same bolts as mine. I dont think lotus is alone in this problem. I have sent an email to both Tire rack and Fastenal. I will keep you posted
Let me know if you find something Calvin, do you know what the head is like?
Also as a side note, I was at my favorite car repair place today and there was a 300ZX tt there that had OZ 3 piece wheels with the same bolts as mine. I dont think lotus is alone in this problem. I have sent an email to both Tire rack and Fastenal. I will keep you posted
Edited by bojangles on Thursday 14th September 19:43
bojangles said:
do you know what the head is like?
Dave Cammack has a set of OZ Futura's although his came off an early V8 but the bolt heads will still be the same. I will see if my torx pin security heads line up with the bolt heads this weekend.
If it works the driver head should be able to fit into a socket so you can use a torque wrench to set the bolts back into the wheels correctly.
I have heard that the Futura's are hard to seal up once they have been seperated or have taken a hard road hit.
Calvin
Okay here is the scoop on the wheels.
The type of tool to remove the bolts is like a torx only reversed. They have a name for them but it escapes both myself and Dave Cammack at this moment. It is the same type of tool that is required for the cam carrier. we can chase down the name of the tool if you are bound and determined to do this job yourself.
After a discussion with Dave. You are in for a bit of a hassle with the bolts as the bolt are made of titainium and are a one time use only product. So if you remove them they must all be replaced with new ones. They must be installed using a specific torque setting and I suspect there is tighting pattern that must be followed which is not really a problem just so many of them.
If I were you I would send it out to be repaired. Dave and I agree that chances are they will not repair the lip but will replace it from both turn around time and liability issues. Local shops may repair the rim but really don't like to deal with 3 piece wheels and the ones that do are rare. I would inquire with both OZ and perhaps www.tirerack.com about the repair.
Dave also asked if the wheel was front or rear as he mentioned there was a rear one for sale for with freight for about $700 on clearance.
Calvin
The type of tool to remove the bolts is like a torx only reversed. They have a name for them but it escapes both myself and Dave Cammack at this moment. It is the same type of tool that is required for the cam carrier. we can chase down the name of the tool if you are bound and determined to do this job yourself.
After a discussion with Dave. You are in for a bit of a hassle with the bolts as the bolt are made of titainium and are a one time use only product. So if you remove them they must all be replaced with new ones. They must be installed using a specific torque setting and I suspect there is tighting pattern that must be followed which is not really a problem just so many of them.
If I were you I would send it out to be repaired. Dave and I agree that chances are they will not repair the lip but will replace it from both turn around time and liability issues. Local shops may repair the rim but really don't like to deal with 3 piece wheels and the ones that do are rare. I would inquire with both OZ and perhaps www.tirerack.com about the repair.
Dave also asked if the wheel was front or rear as he mentioned there was a rear one for sale for with freight for about $700 on clearance.
Calvin
I was looking at the X180-R wheels yesterday, and they have the same bolts, though back then they were not titanium.
I think Lew took his whees apart at some point, and resealed them. I'll ask him how.
As Calvin mentioned, wheels are a critical piece of saftey... Proper torquing and use of new bolts will ensure your saftey down the raod. Do this at your own risk. Personally I would send them to the tirerack since they have the equipment.
I think Lew took his whees apart at some point, and resealed them. I'll ask him how.
As Calvin mentioned, wheels are a critical piece of saftey... Proper torquing and use of new bolts will ensure your saftey down the raod. Do this at your own risk. Personally I would send them to the tirerack since they have the equipment.
a few notes....
it is a front wheel.
The Bolts are NOT torx,,, they have 10 points not 6.
The tool is not available from regular tool places.( mac,snapon..)
The tire rack could not help themselves out of a wet paper bag.
the wheels do not need to be repaired, my issue is refinishing.
I have no intention to split the rims. just remove the centre section.
Titnium makes no sense, and single use does not either. sounds like an urban myth there. They are chrome plated grade 8.8 metric bolts with fancy head ( anti tamper I suppose )
There is a big write up on LEW [url]www.lotusespritworld.com/EGuides/EMaintenance/wheelrefurb.html[/url]
I tried to email the guy (Arne Sunde) but no reply. I have access to the equipment to make the tools the way he did, but I need his computer drawing of the tools he made.
there is a guy in Germany that will sell the sockets for 120 Euro. Apparently he is into profit more than helping enthusiasts.
Good thing we have winter here.. the simplest things take forever..
it is a front wheel.
The Bolts are NOT torx,,, they have 10 points not 6.
The tool is not available from regular tool places.( mac,snapon..)
The tire rack could not help themselves out of a wet paper bag.
the wheels do not need to be repaired, my issue is refinishing.
I have no intention to split the rims. just remove the centre section.
Titnium makes no sense, and single use does not either. sounds like an urban myth there. They are chrome plated grade 8.8 metric bolts with fancy head ( anti tamper I suppose )
There is a big write up on LEW [url]www.lotusespritworld.com/EGuides/EMaintenance/wheelrefurb.html[/url]
I tried to email the guy (Arne Sunde) but no reply. I have access to the equipment to make the tools the way he did, but I need his computer drawing of the tools he made.
there is a guy in Germany that will sell the sockets for 120 Euro. Apparently he is into profit more than helping enthusiasts.
Good thing we have winter here.. the simplest things take forever..
I remembered seeing a thread like this before.
Did you try the guys on the TVR site?
I think they have the tool for the OZ wheel that you seek.
Try PH member adam quantrill
Here is the thread:
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=12&h=0&t=225908
You need two drivers one one the outside and another for the inside. It appears many have used new screws once removed from the wheel.
Did you try the guys on the TVR site?
I think they have the tool for the OZ wheel that you seek.
Try PH member adam quantrill
Here is the thread:
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=12&h=0&t=225908
You need two drivers one one the outside and another for the inside. It appears many have used new screws once removed from the wheel.
Hello, I'm interested in this as I have the same problem. I recently aquired a set of 2-piece OZ wheels (Vela II's) which require some refinishing. I also have contacted Tirerack, and was told they couldn't sell me a tool, but I could send the wheels to them to be taken apart or put together (for a price of $30 per wheel, plus $70 per wheel for new bolts)... of course, you add shipping (x2) and that just gets silly...
I'm personally thinking I might just grind the nuts off the bolts from the back, take the wheels apart, refinish them, and then when it comes to reassembly, just use an adequately sized socket head cap screw/nut combo from an industrial supply company to replace the "proprietary" OZ bolts and nuts. A high-tensile fastener must be an adequate replacement, so long as proper attention is paid to torquing them down evenly in the correct pattern...
I'm eagerly awating any additional info anyone finds out about this topic, though. Still blows my mind that any company could sell and distribute thousands of these wheels internationally without the assembly tools available anywhere... !?!
I'm personally thinking I might just grind the nuts off the bolts from the back, take the wheels apart, refinish them, and then when it comes to reassembly, just use an adequately sized socket head cap screw/nut combo from an industrial supply company to replace the "proprietary" OZ bolts and nuts. A high-tensile fastener must be an adequate replacement, so long as proper attention is paid to torquing them down evenly in the correct pattern...
I'm eagerly awating any additional info anyone finds out about this topic, though. Still blows my mind that any company could sell and distribute thousands of these wheels internationally without the assembly tools available anywhere... !?!
I mailed off some money to a guy in Norway. He has a set of the homemade tools.
Guess it is wait and see for now.
Id like to know the bolt strength issue also. I really find it hard to believe the bolts are not re-useable.
THe only bolts that are not re-useable that I know of are the stretch type ones that have to yeild in an effort to keep uniform tension on the assembly. I cant see why wheels need this. But then are titanium bolts good for stretching?
Where is a material property guy..
Bruce
Guess it is wait and see for now.
Id like to know the bolt strength issue also. I really find it hard to believe the bolts are not re-useable.
THe only bolts that are not re-useable that I know of are the stretch type ones that have to yeild in an effort to keep uniform tension on the assembly. I cant see why wheels need this. But then are titanium bolts good for stretching?
Where is a material property guy..
Bruce
Titanium is probably used on the newer wheels for corrosion resistance. Titanium is fairly soft, though high in tensile strength, it's probably a thread retention issue that requires them to be replaced... guessing
$70/wheel for 36 or whatever bolts isn't bad, my brake rotors have 12 and 10 bolts each and those cost almost $300 for 4 rotors. And $30 each to clean, reseal, and retorque isn't bad at all either. Wait till you try to clean the rim sealant out of a 3 piece wheel! And then get it sealed, torqued and all three sections aligned (concentrically) and balanced...
The reason to limit tool availability is most likely a liability issue, especially in the US. If you take apart your own wheel, don't replace the bolts, don't torque them correctly, and don't align the rim sections concentric... It would be your dumb fault, but some sleazy lawyer would help you sue OZ.
$70/wheel for 36 or whatever bolts isn't bad, my brake rotors have 12 and 10 bolts each and those cost almost $300 for 4 rotors. And $30 each to clean, reseal, and retorque isn't bad at all either. Wait till you try to clean the rim sealant out of a 3 piece wheel! And then get it sealed, torqued and all three sections aligned (concentrically) and balanced...
The reason to limit tool availability is most likely a liability issue, especially in the US. If you take apart your own wheel, don't replace the bolts, don't torque them correctly, and don't align the rim sections concentric... It would be your dumb fault, but some sleazy lawyer would help you sue OZ.
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