Centre Lock wheels - where do you change tyres?

[HokumPokum]

where do you guys change tyres if not the OPC for centre lock wheels? Thanks

[Sandy59]

I've only ever used the local OPC which actually gave me the cheapest quote anyway, and I felt the peace of mind was important.
The only other option I'd have considered was a mobile tyre fitter with a good reputation, where I could keep a good eye on things etc.
Having said that if you have a good local tyre fitter who are prepared to listen and read the wheel changing instructions properly, then in theory no reason why that should be an issue, I'd still want to be hanging around though.

[Magic919]

Wheels in motion/blackboots do them.

[Geneve]

My OPC.

With pccbs, centre locks and costly rims, I wouldn't take any chances. They also try to provide competitive prices, and a no quibble gaurantee. And, they valet the wheels during the change over.

[Drillrep]

Agree with all the comments about using OPC, they are usually the most competitive, i just bought an indoor car cover for the RS, and the OPC was 50 pounds cheaper than anywhere else.

[Rioja]

Having a 911 GTS with centre locks I had the same dilemma with a slow puncture recently. Local OPC quoted a fair price and repair was done whilst I waited. I would certainly go back to the OPC for my next tyres.

[HokumPokum]

Thanks. I was going to see if there are viable alternatives to OPC for my RS. With PCCBs, I do get paranoid.

[Sandy59]

You might find that nobody other than your OPC actually have the correct spindle to slide the wheels off on, the official one is pretty expensive to buy.

[Magic919]

Don't they come with the car?

[HokumPokum]

they do come with the car. Rennline sells a wheel removal kit for the DIYer

But it has to be torqued to the right spec.s

[Magic919]

Yes, I understand the torque bit, it was the alignment rods I queried.

[HokumPokum]

Magic919 said:

Yes, I understand the torque bit, it was the alignment rods I queried.

nope..wheel alignment rods defo not included. I don't even know if Porsche offers one.

see wheel alignment tool

http://www.rennline.com/Centerlock-Wheel-Alignment...

[NBTBRV8]

Here is another option for the aligning tool:

http://www.3rauto.com/parts/3r_parts/

[Geoff997]

HokumPokum said:

nope..wheel alignment rods defo not included. I don't even know if Porsche offers one.

see wheel alignment tool

http://www.rennline.com/Centerlock-Wheel-Alignment...

Tool is available from Porsche.
Part no. P000.721.979.40
Now are you sitting down?
It costs £480 inc. VAT !!!!!!!!!

[ScienceTeacher]

Centre lock wheels as supplied by Porsche for road cars are an extraordinary affectation which are not only inconvenient and expensive but also a potentially dangerous liability. If ever I were to own one of the fine vehicles so equipped I'd promptly change the wheels for a regular set. Am I right in thinking the Carrera GT wheels have a different mechanism that is more race car like?

[gtsralph]

I buy tyres on Internet (www.tyres-pneus-online.co.uk/) and have them fitted at my OPC

[EuroSag]

ScienceTeacher said:

Centre lock wheels as supplied by Porsche for road cars are an extraordinary affectation which are not only inconvenient and expensive but also a potentially dangerous liability. If ever I were to own one of the fine vehicles so equipped I'd promptly change the wheels for a regular set. Am I right in thinking the Carrera GT wheels have a different mechanism that is more race car like?

Don't know about whether it is more race-like, but definitely a different mechanism.

Centre-locks on Gen2 997's were just for vanity.

[Sandy59]

EuroSag said:

ScienceTeacher said:

Centre lock wheels as supplied by Porsche for road cars are an extraordinary affectation which are not only inconvenient and expensive but also a potentially dangerous liability. If ever I were to own one of the fine vehicles so equipped I'd promptly change the wheels for a regular set. Am I right in thinking the Carrera GT wheels have a different mechanism that is more race car like?

Don't know about whether it is more race-like, but definitely a different mechanism.

Centre-locks on Gen2 997's were just for vanity.

I 'think' the CGT are right and left handed, and colour coded for each side of the car. This 'might' mean they don't have the locking mechanism of the new system which seems for some to complicate the issue.

I actually removed and re-fitted a CL wheel for the first time a few weeks ago, following the instructions and with the right tools I found it completely quick, easy and stress free.
Of course the right tools are not cheap so I did actually borrow the T.Wrench.

[Prof Beard]

Pardon an ignorant 996 owner for asking - but what is the point of centre locks on a road car?

[Sandy59]

In practical terms not a lot really.

However since it's a road/occasional track type car, I guess someone somewhere thought it might be a good idea to show off a bit of racing tech, albeit only loosely related by all accounts.
They do look quite nice all the same, probably should have been an option to be honest.