Omega Owners Forum
Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: MV6Matt on 23 March 2009, 19:28:35
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Anyone any experience with this?
Seen some VXR alloys (recent - 2008). The guy's getting them refurbished before I take them off him.
However. refurbishing man sees some hairline cracks on two of the wheels. They are on the inside of the wheels so not obvious to the eye.
He's repaired them by welding and has left the weld visible. His opinion is that this will be a stronger repair (rather than grinding and smoothing).
Seller's being exceptionally honest by telling me all this and has said If you'd rather not proceed, no worries, walk away no hard feelings.
'Hairline cracks ' on Alloys less than a year old. Common and therefore negligable or should I walk away?
The refurbishing was for curbing on two of the wheels. No buckling.
Anyone any veiws?
Let me know what you think.
Matthew
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Hi.
Depends on if the repair has been done properly ?.
I'm no expert, but I beleave hairline cracks can be repaired if done in the correct manner. And if repaired quickly, as if the air has got into the cracks I think oxiodising can happen very fast cause corroding from the inside out, and if you had an accident and your insurance company found out that 2nd hand wheels with know repairs were used (unless professional proof of repair), could be a way of them getting out of paying you out !!.
Being 2nd hand, it wouldn't be something that I would buy unless I know the person very well, and knowing the repair was more than up to the job ?.
If welds are done professionally, welding can be machined down to the original shape, though in most instances, I think you'll find those in the know that weld, tend not to grind welds down as it is a stronger repair, as you're putting the strength back into the repair. And usually people only grind welds down for cosmetic reasons.
It's good that the seller's being honest by telling you, but I guess it's down to you to either go ahead and buy them, or walk away.
Good 2nd hand wheels are hard to find that haven't been smacked about, or scrubbed up against the curb.
However, sometimes its a false economy, as there's usually no comeback.
Like I said, I'm no expert, and perhaps other owners may give a different response.
I'd say think about it, and get as much advise as you can before parting with your money.
Hope its of some help to you - And good luck
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Thanks Smegmatt - I shall keep seeking advice before I make a decision.
The insurance angle is a big part of the consideration and one I wasn't mindful of. :-[
Cheers for your thoughts. :y
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im no expert either and its up to you if you think this applies to your situation i guess.
My experience is with bike wheels of which i have had 3 pairs straightened from various get offs. In describing the damage to the repairers the criteria has always been," bent no problem", you'd be suprised what can be straightened,"cracked, only fit for the bin" they wont weld them on safety grounds, i presume if there is a crack then guaranteeing them as air tight is not possible and they could deflate at any time under stress.
I cant see any reason why the above should not apply to car wheels?..... Anyone?
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I'm no expert on welding at all .. but it seems a lot of places offer the service as a quick "google" found ...
this is just one ...
http://www.alloywheelrepairs.net/Welding.html
So a bit of research might find some answers ??
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I'm no expert on welding at all .. but it seems a lot of places offer the service as a quick "google" found ...
this is just one ...
http://www.alloywheelrepairs.net/Welding.html
So a bit of research might find some answers ??
Yup - nothing some extra investigating mighten sort out
Thanks for the tip
Matthew
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If your that worried Matt then you need to use something like the spray and developer in the link below :y.
I used this when i was a castings inspector and is excellent for showing up cracks and may be worth doing all the wheels :).
http://www.kpg-industrial.com/products/qa_inspector_penetrant_s00744/
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Hi Pete,
Thanks for this - I'll check it out :y
Matthew
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Decided not to in the end.
Alloy wheel repairers told me they do it all the time.
Also told that a lot of VXR owners are having problems with this style of wheel (apparently!).
Some great leads to follow and loads of info about alloy refurb in general thanks to all the contributors to the thread. :y
Matthew