Is this Fuch repairable?

[generalsmirnov]

I bought this 1/69 stamped 15x6 Fuchs wheel off a reputable (?) Ebay seller who is no longer replying to me: https://www.ebay.com/str/eima777

When I had the wheel tripped back for reanodising, they found a crack on the centre:


The shop says cracks on this part of the wheel are not repairable. Agreed? I feel like I just set a bunch of cash on fire...

[Gonbad]

File a claim with eBay. How did you pay for it? If credit card then I would have them charge it back to vendor. Put a very negative review on seller.

No that is not repairable. You would remove too much material from the hub before you could weld it back followed by machining. Probably a big expense without being able to determine if all the crack was ground out and wouldn’t crack again. Plus where this is cracked would be catastrophic failure of the wheel when it let go. Not worth your life or cracking up your favorite car.

[dg567]

Not repairable - if it wasn't visible before being stripped how is the seller at fault? Sort of the risks your taking with buying an almost 60 year old used car part IMO

[stownsen914]

Don't try to repair a crack in a wheel, that's asking for trouble.

I kinda disagree on seller's responsibility here. If you were sold a cracked wheel, seller should take it back, seeing as it renders the wheel unusable. Unless he represented it as a hose reel.

Edit: OP - how sure are you that the wheel specialist who is doing the work didn't do something to the wheel?

[EC900]

There’s a lot in that crack that can’t be seen, it could be so minute and extend to the lug hole, and since the crack is on the inner hub makes it an iffy repair.
A wheel specialist can make a weld repair but that’s a critical area that they will probably refuse. Road rash for instance, material is added by welding and trued up on lathe.
Your wheel, even repaired it would be cosmetic, at best it might serve the purpose as a minimally used spare.
Hopefully ebay will get your money back or portion thereof.

[RobFrost]

Take the advice of an experienced welder with some proper metallurgy expertise. If they're happy they can find an appropriate filler for the particular alloy in that wheel, weld the magnesium and relieve the stresses with appropriate heat treatment afterwards then I would trust them.

Personally, I disagree that this is a particularly bad spot for a crack. This part of the wheel is reinforced by being bolted at five points to the hub. I'd be more concerned about cracks in the spokes, between the studs and the rim.

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[Shaun @ Tru6]

File a claim with eBay. If you end up losing, have the wheel x-rayed or any other method to see how far the cracks go beneath the surface. Decide from there what to do.

[GeorgeK]

Wheel is done. Unless you fancy the risk of having your own wheel overtake you.
I have a few of these. Great hose reels.

[Racerbvd]

Just use some J.B. Weld and you will fine

[stownsen914]

Originally Posted by RobFrost

Personally, I disagree that this is a particularly bad spot for a crack. This part of the wheel is reinforced by being bolted at five points to the hub. I'd be more concerned about cracks in the spokes, between the studs and the rim.

Agree in general with the logic about the criticality of the center of a wheel vs. lug holes. But it cracked for a reason. We may not know exactly why, either it's more stressed there than we realized, or the wheel was misused in which case all bets are off. Either way I wouldn't trust a fix. I'd perpetually be wondering when it's going to crack again. I can think of better things to do while driving my Porsche.

[generalsmirnov]

Thanks everyone for the input. I'm giving eBay's process a go to start with and see where I get.

[Dpmulvan]

Any competent aerospace welder could easily fix and it would be fine to use. But you didn’t pay for a damaged fuch did you?

[E Sully]

No comment on whether or not it's repairable, but This is something I found regarding the alloy.

[Essexmetal]

Since Fuch's are forged they are easily welded and can be trusted. That is backed up by the previous post outlining that aluminum alloy in the 6000 series. We have repaired many wheels that had a long and hard service life and when getting fresh tires several were crack checked with no issues. That goes for widened wheels used on the track as well. But track use is easy on wheels compared to regular street use.

The above said to support that the Fuchs can certainly be repaired. Does not mean that this specific wheel should be repaired. I support everyone's thoughts to pursue a full refund. Unless specifically stated this is a scrap aluminum hose reel it is the sellers responsibility to supply a serviceable part, regardless if he knew the wheel was cracked or not.

[safe]

Fuchs are forged. The part you will be welding could be considered cast, so it will be weaker. welding is not recommended on the centers, the "barrel" can be welded. But of cause, the usage of the wheel have to be considered too, it will be fine for Sunday trips to get coffee.

Another thing, anything that you want anodized and visible can't be welded, it will look like a stain on the aluminum.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

^^^ that is most likely true for this wheel even using Fuchs donor alloy as the "rod" perhaps because of the amount of heat/penetration needed for a proper repair.

But I have successfully had a door frame TIG'd that was invisible after anodizing, using a junk frame as the filler rod. The corner of every door frame was originally TIG'd by Porsche or it's supplier, but there is still a ghost of seam so not 100% penetration from the inside out.

[PeteKz]

Get another wheel!

Could this thing be repaired? Sure, throw enough money around and anything can be repaired. Not worth it for a $500 wheel.

[Essexmetal]

.......Fuchs are forged. The part you will be welding could be considered cast, so it will be weaker.....

Sorry no. the center is the same alloy and heat treat as the rest of the wheel. It is not like a casting and not even close in composition to cast aluminum alloy. As to welds showing when anodized there are many ways to reduce the staining but not eliminate it. When welded with 5356 filler it is greatly minimized. A high polish and you are getting closer to imperceptible.
Not trying to make this a welding class, just making sure everyone knows there are options to scraping a repairable wheel. And to everyone's point, just replace it unless there is not a choice. At the cost of a factory 9" or 11" there would be no second thought.

[Fixer]

I'd repair that if mine.

[safe]

Originally Posted by Essexmetal

.......Fuchs are forged. The part you will be welding could be considered cast, so it will be weaker.....

Sorry no. the center is the same alloy and heat treat as the rest of the wheel. It is not like a casting and not even close in composition to cast aluminum alloy.

So what you are saying is that you can remelt a forged piece of aluminium and it is still retains its strength? Great news!

I've seen cracked Fuchs centers before that has been professionally repaired and the always crack again at or near the original crack.