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Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: S. California
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Checking condition of used Fuchs
I am considering purchasing a set of used Fuchs. Whats the best way to do a careful inspection for cracks and potential failure points? Magnaflux? Or...?
Anyone know who to see in the LA area to get used wheels checked out? Any idea of the cost? I have seen some pretty scary photos of wheel failures . I dont wan to be next to experience that if I can help it. Oh..and sorry.....I didnt do a thread search. Forgive me if this info has been posted 100 times ! ![]() Thanks. |
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Join Date: Oct 2003
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Try Al Reed hes been around them long enough
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Max Sluiter
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The other day on the Early 911S Registry, someone was asking about X-raying some Mahle gasburners for cracks in the Magnesium. Harvey Weidmann said he can do that service and he claimed a reasonable price. You might call or email him through the Early 911S board. Fuchs being forged Aluminum (alloy) should be more robust than the Magnesium gasburners. The forged Fuchs are very robust but there have been a few failures now that the oldest ones are getting near a half-century old. Still not as many as the new "Fachs".
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1971 911S, 2.7RS spec MFI engine, suspension mods, lightened Suspension by Rebel Racing, Serviced by TLG Auto, Brakes by PMB Performance |
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Thanks for the replies guys.
Come to think of it...Magnaflux wont work on Aluminum. Will it ? How are Aluminum parts crack checked? Ultrasound ? Aluminum aircraft parts get checked , right? I sure hope they do anyway. ![]() Any Mechanical or Materials Engineers out there care to add to this? Thanks. |
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Max Sluiter
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Aluminum melts in an induction furnace so it should be able to Magnaflux. Aluminum takes longer/ more power to melt via induction than does iron or copper because of its weaker magnetic interaction (coupling?) so the Magnaflux may need more power to be effective.
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1971 911S, 2.7RS spec MFI engine, suspension mods, lightened Suspension by Rebel Racing, Serviced by TLG Auto, Brakes by PMB Performance Last edited by Flieger; 02-24-2010 at 11:29 PM.. |
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Senior Advisor
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dye penetrate is the choice for Aluminum parts. a kit is about 50 bucks (from aircraft spruce) but it's just for cracks/surface imperfections, x-ray is the best for internal flaws. And you don't have to clean them of all the paint like the dye method. Magnaflux is for ferrius metals.
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wow, you guys are so meticulous. I would just visual check and ask to put it on the car to test spin to make sure it's true. And if possible, spray water dry it off to make sure if it shows any hair line crack.
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X-ray is the way to go. The start of this video has an example of x-ray pics
YouTube - Felgenkunde 4/5 |
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i have always heard that fuchs bend before they break, IE, no cracks.
i just bought a bmw 325, the wheels had some dings out at the edge, so i put a dial gage on them to check to see they are true. i am not sure what is bad enough to notice, or if the wheel is really out of true, because where one ding is. the rim could be just dented out. anyway, one was .010 of an inch and the other was .070". i could feel were the ring bulged out at the one ding, so i am still not sure if it is bad, i have not been able to drive the car yet to see if it vibrates. what i did was mount my dial gage on a secure object, jacked the car up, spin the wheel around . maybe this will help you decide. i would be more concerned about trueness.
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"i have always heard that fuchs bend before they break, IE, no cracks."
On occasion, they crack. Some photos in the archives confirm that. Magnaflux is a trade name for crack-testing ferrous metals. The company also has a process for testing non-ferrous materials. Apparently, they also own the Zyglo trade name (flourescent dye test). If your application requires the utmost safety, I'd test. If you're buying used wheels for your street car, it's up to you. A close physical inspection along with one of many crack-testing kits might be prudent. Sherwood |
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Information Junky
Join Date: Mar 2001
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Not true. Aluminum affects a magnetic field.
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Everyone you meet knows something you don't. - - - and a whole bunch of crap that is wrong. Disclaimer: the above was 2¢ worth. More information is available as my professional opinion, which is provided for an exorbitant fee. ![]() |
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Look for radial cracks between the lug nut holes and the triangular hole between paddles. I've seen 7Rs crack there, one even had TWO cracks in it, guy KNEW this and the guy was still running the car. I said something like, "if you want to kill yourself why don't you jump under a bus?"
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Information Junky
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Well, my post was to mostly correct the misinformation. As to production vs one-off parts... first; wheels are not generally "one off." Second, wheels have symmetry. --this means a single Fuchs (5-spoke) could be tested, turned 72°, retested . .. turned 72°, retested . .. turned 72°, retested. With each test compared to each other. --they should all appear the same.
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Everyone you meet knows something you don't. - - - and a whole bunch of crap that is wrong. Disclaimer: the above was 2¢ worth. More information is available as my professional opinion, which is provided for an exorbitant fee. ![]() |
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Thanks you guys for all the good info.
Sounds like x-ray is a good way to go for a thorough check. Like Flieger said...some of the early 5 spoke Fuchs will soon be getting to 50 years old. I will check with Weidmann or Al Reed to see what they charge for an x-ray inspection. By the way , is the Fuchs company still in business? If so, are they producing any limited runs of the old classic 5 spoke Fuchs wheels? Or are there any plans to? Even if they are making any ..or would in the future...I probably couldnt afford them ! |
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3.4 Bigger is better
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: South Dakota
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Yes Fuchs is still in business and Porsche is selling or at least showing the they have some sizes of 15" Fuchs and 16" Fuchs available. Last time I checked at Sunset Porsche in Oregon the 16x9's were around $830 each. And 8's were more expensive than that.
Normally Fuchs will bend before breaking but there have been more of them showing up with cracks and one on a thread here which broke (didn't bend). Porsche uses cast wheels on the cars now which are x-rayed to verify integrity. So cast wheels are not as bad as everyone seems to think they are as they have been designed with the manufacture process in mind and making them strong enough to deal with the forces that effect them. Even cars like the Ford GT came with cast wheels as standard equipment and offered the forged wheels as an option. Wayne here at PP sells the Euromeisters and the Fox wheels both of which are cast. They are both heavier than the forged Fuchs to give added strength due to casting the wheels. No reports of ether failing on the street or track. Remember most of the cars on the road have cast wheels not forged and we don't seem to worry that they will come apart and cause great bodily harm. My Porsche does not see pot holes like my daily drive sees and around here there are some giant wheel bending ones. When was the last time we have seen cast wheels that come on most cars come apart unless they were damaged. ![]()
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Quote:
Good to know Fuchs is still around. I seem to recall reading that they made the rollers for German Panzer track assemblies during WWII. And I assume other Wehrmacht vehicles. I was looking to buy 2 16x7's and 2 16x8's for track use..therefore I am a bit concerned about cracks and the integrity of the wheels. I agree..for street use, probably not a big problem. I cant remember the last time I saw a Porsche at the side of the road with a broken Fuchs wheel ! If new 5 spoke Fuchs 16x9's are going for around $830 each, (!!) and 8's more expensive than that ![]() Thanks! |
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Max Sluiter
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1971 911S, 2.7RS spec MFI engine, suspension mods, lightened Suspension by Rebel Racing, Serviced by TLG Auto, Brakes by PMB Performance |
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3.4 Bigger is better
Join Date: Nov 2003
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Wilhelm they are out there just a matter of time before somebody lists some.
Sunset Porsche in Oregon. They may be higher now. Imagine that happeing ![]() Here is the Porsche site that lists what is available for Fuchs New Editions - Classic Catalogues - Porsche Classic - Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG
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Michael 88 911 Diamond Blue CE Carrera 3.4 HC3.4 member 2020 Honda Passport Last edited by 88-diamondblue; 02-25-2010 at 07:58 PM.. |
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Everyone you meet knows something you don't. - - - and a whole bunch of crap that is wrong. Disclaimer: the above was 2¢ worth. More information is available as my professional opinion, which is provided for an exorbitant fee. ![]() |
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