Are fuchs fixable?

evren · 10-11-2003, 11:08 PM

I've been trying to locate a set of 6Jx15 wheels to replace the 14" fuchs on my 1971E, so far unsuccessfully. Not too many early 911's in Istanbul, unfortunately.

I recently came across a set of 6x15 and 7x15 wheels, in poor cosmetic condition and slightly un-true. Nothing visible to the eye, but noticeable when you put the wheels on the spinning disc. Are forged aluminum wheels fixable? Will they be unsafe?

Also when I test mounted the 7's in the back, they rubbed on inside of the right-rear wheel well, against the oil lines, not on the outside. It looks like a 1cm spacer might work, though.

Thanks, Evren

CamB · CamB's Garage

Fuchs, being forged, are strong and can bend and be restraightened (within reason). But forget about that for a moment.

Also when I test mounted the 7's in the back, they rubbed on inside of the right-rear wheel well, against the oil lines, not on the outside. It looks like a 1cm spacer might work, though.

This is really really possibly quite cool (for you). Are they 911R wheels??? (7" wide, but 1" extra backspace compared to a 6" wheel). Good find if they are.

And people run a 10mm spacer, apparently.

dvkk · 10-12-2003, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by evren

I recently came across a set of 6x15 and 7x15 wheels, in poor cosmetic condition and slightly un-true. Nothing visible to the eye, but noticeable when you put the wheels on the spinning disc.

You should try to measure the axial runout. Porsche has a spec of 1.0mm. Anything less than this is considered good.
I've done it by taking a front wheel off and measure with feeler guages between the rim and a solid imovable object.

GeorgeK · 10-12-2003, 12:32 AM

The only thing that kills a Fuchs is a crack. It is amazing what bends can be taken out. I've had rims with bends up to 1/2" that were straightened and used without trouble. It onle takes the right expert to do that.
A crack, however, is a death sentence for a Fuchs, NO exceptions.

89911 · 10-12-2003, 05:20 AM

I've spoke to this company:

http://www.wheelcollision.com/wccsvcs.html

Although I have no affiliation, they do seem as a possible source for wheel truing and refinishing. I needed to custom match some BMW paint on my X5's wheels and couldn't match the color with touch up. When I called them about getting some paint, the guy offered to send me a can when the mix up another batch. He then sent it just for the shipping ($5). I have enough now to just about repaint all my wheels. Could of easily said no. That counts for something I would think.

evren · 10-12-2003, 06:13 AM

Thanks for the info guys, sounds like these wheels might have a second life in them still. If they are R wheels it would be quite a find, but what are the chances...

I couldn't read the part #s on the inside, but I will look again after they have been scrubbed clean.

pwd72s · 10-12-2003, 10:36 AM

Guys, allow me to add my thanks for this info. In emails, I had discouraged Evren from these wheels...I thought that bent wheels that had been straightened were weaker wheels. It seems that even old dogs can learn something new. I think I read on the S registry board that R wheels had the numbers painted or stamped in ink inside, so they could be without numbers? Anybody have more info on this?

69 Soft Targa · 69 Soft Targa's Garage

Here's the discussion of the stamped numbers.

Identifying Fuchs

scottb · 10-12-2003, 04:29 PM

I *think* Al Reed can true-up wheels. I *know* he can refinish them.

Bill Douglas · 10-12-2003, 05:45 PM

...or you could buy a set out of 911 and Porsche world classifieds and get the shipped to you. Cheaper and closer might be one of the Porsche BBSs in Germany and buy a nice set.

carreradpt · carreradpt's Garage

Al will send them out to straighten, he doesn't do it at the shop.

evren · 10-17-2003, 02:50 AM

I haven't had the time to check out the wheels in person, but I here are some new pictures. During my phone conversation with the wheel guys the measured offset seems to be ~45mm. Cam, you may have been right!... Stay tuned.

relkceb · 10-17-2003, 09:40 AM

i had mine done by wheel enhancement in california they did a beutiful job. www.wheelenhacement.com

evren · 10-18-2003, 12:44 AM

OK, I measured the wheels this morning -- best I could tell, backspace 145mm, frontspace 50mm, offset 47mm, inner rim width 7", overall rim width 195mm. Couldn't find any markings on the inside, either stamped or in ink.

SO ARE THESE 911R WHEELS???

What other clues should I look for? I was told earlier that they might also be "deep 7s" -- what are these, anyone ever heard of them?

dvkk · 10-18-2003, 01:10 AM

WuHooo! start the celebration, those are indeed 911R wheels!
Most of them don't have the size marked on the backside like the other Fuchs. Don't let this worry you, check the weight. Real 7Rs will weigh around 5.5kg.
Deep 7s would be another name for those wheels.

GeorgeK · 10-18-2003, 02:01 AM

Evren, I have 3 questions before opening the bottle:
-Is that a spacer stuck inside the rim?
-What is the weight of the 7" rim,
-What size hole is there for the valve? large as for the inner tubes or small like the tubeless tyre valves?

evren · 10-18-2003, 02:09 AM

Hi George,
- yes, it's a 10mm spacer turned on a lathe, the above measurements are without the spacer
- forgot to weigh them... need to check...
- i'm not exactly sure, it looks big to me. you can see the hole in the first picture. in the second picture the heart shaped indentation (1 o'clock position) is where the valve-hole goes through.

nick-moss · nick-moss's Garage

Evren, everyone else is mentoning shops in the US, which isn't of much use to you, unless they really are 7Rs, then the freight and hassle would be worth the expense. Otherwise I am sure that you will find a back street expert in Istambul who can straigten your rims as per George's comments above.

evren · 10-18-2003, 02:15 AM

Nick, sorry I forgot to post an update, they've already been straightened -- they couldn't reach me and went ahead with it. The over-zealous shop also painted them, unfortunately not correctly, though.

GeorgeK · 10-18-2003, 03:54 AM

Hi Evren,
first, here are picture of what you should look for on the back of the spokes:

The writings are in blue-gray ink, *under* the anodising. If the rims were never sanded or sandblasted, you should find the marks. Some are extremely difficult to find, you have to play with the light beam, as it appears only under some incident light.

Then:
Do yourself a huge favor, and do all the work you can yourself. There is nothing more rewarding than restoring rare factory racing parts. You need some fine sandpaper, some polishing compound, paint stripper, and a few good adresses. After all, when is the next time you'll be able to restore anything the factory used for racing?
here a few steps of what I did on one of the sets I restored:

Go for it!