More Fuchs queries
 

I almost feel guilty asking this but I was once told there are no stupid questions just stupid answers. I notice a lack of balance weights and the valve stem supporter in the majority of the pics of these beautiful wheels in the Fuchs gallery. Are the weights installed on the inner rim or are the wheels balanced by some other method and is the valve stem support not really needed unless going at full tilt. I am reluctant to change from the original setup on my car but have difficulty cleaning the adhesive residue from around the weights

thanks
Noel

I had the weights installed on the inner rim. As for the stem supports, I don't track or auto-x the car so I haven't seen the need for those. As far as the adhesive goes, any non-caustic non-abrasive cleaner should do the trick. Just use the mildest product you can find and go from there.

Mike

I suggest putting the balance weights on the outside. If you put them on the inside, it requires more weight to get the wheel balanced and it's harder to get it done correctly.

The valve stem supports are pretty important. I have personally seen a valve stem fail from being driven at high speed without the supports. Changing the valve stems when you change tires is also a good idea.

JR

Agree about the valve stem supports. Friend had the valve stem fail on his 930 at the track from lack of support and he's lucky the only damage he did was to trach the 16x9 wheel when the tire blew and the wheel hit the track at 80+.

Wheel weights on the outer rim make baby jesus cry.

On my new 9s and refishined 8s, I've only had weights on the inside. The place I use tried to get the weights towards the center of the wheel. I've had no issues up to 140 on the track.

Wait until you have a flat - then you will see the need. Ask me how I know.

For those of you that want to put the weights on the inside, realize that the closer you get to the center (of mass) of the wheel, the larger the amount of weight you'll have to use to get a dynamic balance. A static balance is easier but not what you want.

Your call.

JR

Javadog has a point, but I think it is being cited incorrectly.

A wheel with dynamic unbalance needs corrections "side to side" to correct. This is corrected with the least weight when they are place on the outer portion of the rim. But, it doesn't matter if the outer portion used is on the insde or outside rim. (there are small differences in the geometries, but these will not make a big difference and the balancer used is probably not calibrated that accurately anyway).

The dynamic balance must coincide with the static balance requirements as well. A good balance shop should be able to set up the correct balance plane to install the weight on the inside of the wheel, close to the edge.

Mine are on the inside. No probs.

On 9" Fuchs, you have to put them on the inside, I think.

Somewhere on here is a pic of how much the rubber valve stems bend at various speeds. Pretty amazing. Get the supports.

If the wheel/tire is imbalanced towards the inside of the wheel, then weight needs to be added to the other side to balance it.

JR

Porsche put the weights on the outside of the 9 inch wheels, just like all of the rest of them. Works fine.

JR

Right. I think the wheel width will be a factor in whether you can (easily) achieve a good balance with wts. only on the inside or not.


Also, if you hold your sustained speeds to anywhere near the speed limit and have a street car, then metal stems may be more than adequate for you.

If you cruise across Nevada every week at 165 then all bets are off.

Also - when buying used wheels you can get them tested.

I bought about 7 or 8 used Fuchs and had them checked. The best balanced 4 went on the car, the next best is the spare and I sold the others.

At Parade this year Porsche had on display brand new Forged Fuchs. No one would give a firm answer but one guy did admit he had heard they would be about a grand EACH! So if you want that perfect concours look just write a check.

I gave up on valve stem supports. After loosing one on the race track, and getting a DNF instead of a class win, I only use solid metal valve stems on my track wheels.

Weights must go wherever the machine tells you to put them on, regardless of in and/or out... if you really want a proper balance w/minimum added weights.