Check your alloy rims

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

Doing a rotation today and discovered this. I think I may have done it when running low pressure off-road. The tyre is still inflated so I caught it in time. Will get it repaired in Perth. Thankfully I have 5 spare alloys. If you spend a fair bit of time out in the rough like I do it pays to check. Don't rely on anyone else to look.

[fido666 Banned Find all posts View Profile Close fido666]

Ouch! Whacked it on a rock perhaps?

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

Might have been the Range Rover I drove over a couple of weeks ago.

[fido666 Banned Find all posts View Profile Close fido666]

That will teach you!

[Dobbo Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dobbo]

I had 2 of my aftermarket rims crack completely across the face of one of the spokes and hairline cracks starting to appear on 2 other spokes on the same rim on our recent trip to the Kimberley. I only discovered this at Uluru on our way home.
Another rim had also cracked about 8-9 months ago which was replaced under warranty at the time but now this model rim is discontinued, so the distributor has replaced all 5 under warranty.
The reason I was given as to the cracking was that because the BFG'S I'm running have a stiffer sidewall, more shock is transferred to the rim. I was a bit surprised at this as I was running 28psi on the rear and 25 in the fronts.
Anyway, all credit to the distributor they replaced all 5 without a drama.

Dobbo.

[Beach Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Beach]

The reason I was given as to the cracking was that because the BFG'S I'm running have a stiffer sidewall, more shock is transferred to the rim. I was a bit surprised at this as I was running 28psi on the rear and 25 in the fronts.
Anyway, all credit to the distributor they replaced all 5 without a drama.

The "reason" you were given sounds like pure bulls*** and a bad excuse for poorly made wheels.

Dodgy wheels have been a problem in the motorcycling world for years. Cheaply made steel wheels end up like a pretzel after a few hours riding down a dirt road.

Great that they replaced them under warranty.

[Madkore Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Madkore]

Are you talking about the Speedy Beast Rims mentioned in your sig block Dobbo?

[Dobbo Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dobbo]

Are you talking about the Speedy Beast Rims mentioned in your sig block Dobbo?

No, they're the new ones I'm running now. I'm not going to tip mud on the manufacturer as they did the right thing by me.

cheers,

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

Will get it repaired in Perth.

I don't fancy your chances of getting anyone to "fix" it for you, if you do I don't fancy the chances of it lasting the journey!

Cheers Andrew

[pete8205 Member Find all posts View Profile Close pete8205]

That's bad luck bushbasher
I agree with AJ, I've found in the past with cast alloy repairs the weld remains as a week point and I would only keep it as spare.

[BrettM Member Find all posts View Profile Close BrettM]

http://perthwheelrepair.com.au they repair cracks. As for welding cast alloy, it's just as strong provided the area is cleaned properly and the correct filler wire is used. I have repaired cracks in cast alloy frames for the navy which they use for stacking torpedoes and never had one fail. Cracks in cast alloy blocks get repaired a lot to so I don't see how you can say it weak

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

I don't doubt for a second with the right technique the crack can be repaired. I am somewhat surprised that there is not a law against it or that the risk reward ratio is worth it for someone with the skills to do this job. Seems like the sort of thing that a lawyer or a safety officer would tell you to stay away from.

As for it not lasting the distance. My experience with cracks and repairs is that more often than not 1 of 2 things happens, either the repair isn't done correctly and it cracks again in the same place not long after. Alternately the repair is done well and that spot doesn't crack but the underlying cause of the initial crack is that the part is fatigued and not long after the first repair its in again getting the next crack repaired. My experience is generally around repairing heavy earthmoving equipment and I couldn't count the number of times I have welded up a cracked part only to have it back a month or 2 later to weld up the next area to crack.

We don't know what caused the crack in Bushy's rim but knowing the sort of tracks he frequents a fatigue crack would be high on my suspect list. If that's the case I would not risk going remote with that rim, but that's just me.

Cheers Andrew

[BrettM Member Find all posts View Profile Close BrettM]

Yes I agree if it's not done right then it will fail again, but I think that a company that's specialises in repairing damaged alloy rims would be doing it correctly other wise they wouldn't be in business for very long. The crack bushbasher has in his rim I would get repaired but if it was on one of the spokes or around the stud holes then I wouldn't bother. The link I posted for the repairer tells you what they wouldn't repair. As for repairing cracks the first thing to do is drill a small hole at the end of the crack which will prevent it from cracking further.

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

Fortunately for me I have 6 alloy rims having acquired a second spare a little while ago. I have also located an unwanted alloy rim out at Kununurra so I may be able to acquire that one for the right amount of Kimberley currency - 2 blocks of VB - and I'll be right. AJ could well be right so I will have a lengthy discussion with the repairer in Perth before I commit. Thanks guys.

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

Dropped the wheel at Alliance Rim Repairs in Malaga. They reckon it's repairable and will be ok - I will use it as spare number 2. They also had some Prado alloys that had been resurfaced, polished, painted and clear-coated. They were very nice. One day........