Fuchs experts - is this a crack that's been welded?

PcarPhil · 04:52 AM

Hey there folks,

I need some help from those of you who are knowledgable of Fuchs. Please look at the following pics and let me know if you think this area has (had) a crack that's been welded.

I'm pretty sure this area has had a crack that has been welded, then painted.

Here's the back of the spoke in question:

jpahemi · 01-14-2009, 04:13 PM

How does the other side look?

jp

PcarPhil · 04:18 PM

Here are a few pics of the front of the wheel. It's difficult to get a good pic since it's at the very bottom corner of the spoke.

zcoker · 01-14-2009, 04:16 PM

I'm no FUCH expert but that looks like a dent, a hit from the other side, some sort of trauma in that general area but from the other side. I think most welders have a bit more pride than that. At least they would clean up their work, especially with aluminum.

VFR750 · 01-14-2009, 04:26 PM

It doesn't look factory to me. They normally have a very nice rounded transition to the edge. Forging process shouldn't leave local, irregular undercut surfaces either.

I think it's been welded.

PcarPhil · 01-14-2009, 04:27 PM

One more:

ossiblue · 01-14-2009, 05:00 PM

No expert here either but I agree, it looks welded.
Maybe it's the lighting but in the first picture and second pictures, the straight edge of the spoke adjacent to the opening, looks to be a bit wavey like it has been worked on.

boba · 01-14-2009, 05:22 PM

That definitely looks like a repair.

The go to guy to give you a expert assessment is Harvey Weidman,

Weidman's Wheels 530-534-7903

doublestuff · doublestuff's Garage

I am certainly no fuchs expert, but I weld for a living. That looks like it was welded to me. Just my .02 worth.

john walker's workshop · 01-14-2009, 06:18 PM

definitely a fix. not sure i'd run that.

euro911sc · euro911sc's Garage

Jeez'us all you non-FUCH'n experts!!

-m

rouxroux · 01-14-2009, 06:58 PM

garden hose reel.

jurhip · 01-14-2009, 07:13 PM

I've posted this before, but this thread makes me ask why do people run on modified Fuchs but question repaired ones.
I quality repair that grinds out the full crack and is then welded should be just as good as a modified wheel.

Granted, I would not run on either without an inspection report, but do want to hear opinions.

Kevin Stewart · 01-14-2009, 07:13 PM

its funny how some will run true design wheels that are seriously welded but wouldnt run this wheel, scrap, Kevin

dvkk · 01-14-2009, 07:26 PM

Definitely welded. Looks like it, and that's exactly where they crack.
Is that a late 7x15?

Good enough for VW use.

efhughes3 · efhughes3's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by jurhip

I've posted this before, but this thread makes me ask why do people run on modified Fuchs but question repaired ones.
I quality repair that grinds out the full crack and is then welded should be just as good as a modified wheel.

Granted, I would not run on either without an inspection report, but do want to hear opinions.

I don't agree that these have any relationship. Most people go to one of two Fuchs modifiers, and they are pretty much a known quantity of quality. A lot of these wheels are being run on the racetrack, and you don't hear about problems.

On the other hand, a repair such as this may not have been done correctly. Who knows who is the one who welded, and whether they know what they are doing? That's the unknown here that is being questioned.

Now, having said that, Jeff Alton's new wheels should be even more attractive to those who are in the market for wheels. The fact that those offer the strength of forged wheels, and are brand new means you don't have to take chances with coming up with a wheel like we see here.

TimT · 01-14-2009, 07:38 PM

Quote:

definitely a fix.

I agree that looks like a fix...

Consider if this was that fix done in house? was it a factory fix? I work with large odd sized weldments frequently.... Often times porosity, cracks, underfill, etc are repaired and reinspected.. if the repairs is satisfactory... the piece is released....

Whether that was a factory defect, or a age defect.... cant tell....

zotman72 · 01-14-2009, 07:51 PM

Hey I ran a True Design Wheel 16 X9 Fuch centered wheel into a concrete wall last April at a PCA Club Race @ about 45 mph and not on purpose either! The Fuch center buckled but the TDW welds on the rims held just fine. Do not be talking smack about True Design Wheel welds. FWIW I have also seen stress cracks develop around the lug holes of a 15X7 Fuch rim of mine, I promptly retired it to hose reel duty. YMMV

SteveinTO · 01-14-2009, 08:14 PM

My thought was it looks like something got in the spoke and whacked the wheel as it spun. Regardless, a proper welding job should not be a weak point. The question is, "Was it done properly?"

That said, if it's a common/less desirable wheel, just find another one. If not, keep an eye on it. I'd be inclined not to race on it, but in my youth I've run on much worse.

PcarPhil · 05:45 AM

Thanks for the replies folks.

This is a big $$$ 9x15 Fuchs wheel that I recently purchased for my widebody. I asked the seller a lot of questions before purchasing.

Because I don't know the history of the repair, and apparently neither does the seller, I'm not inclined to trust the wheel. The wheels were refurbished about 4 years ago and not used since. I would think that repair would have come up in conversation at the time the wheels were being refurbished.

Again, thanks for the help!