Welding a crack in Momo Prototipo

[PeteM1965]

I have a black flat 350mm Prototipo with a crack in one spoke. Has anybody had a cracked Prototipo welded? If so, by whom?

Thanks
Peter M

[Steve@Rennsport]

Hi Pete,

JMHO,..This is something nobody should ever attempt a repair as this is a serious safety issue fraught with a great deal of liability when it cracks again beside the welds.

I'd strongly recommend replacing it with a new one since these things flex more than you think.

[sennasixty8]

Yikes. I d rather offer you my spare prototipo that is not cracked for not much more than that repair would set you back. Pm me for details.

[Quicksilver]

To add to Steve's comment...
The steering wheel is a thing your chest is could hit in a serious accident. For safety a steering wheel should be fairly stiff but deformable to absorb energy. Welding the wheel will make a mix of hard and soft areas of metal with micro cracks along the edge. That isn't even thinking about it cracking again because of the compromised metallurgy.

These wheels just aren't expensive enough to even think about this. Hang it on the garage wall with the other interesting "used up" parts. I have a great "Wall of Shame" with a number of interesting failures that point out how much of a happy beating my car gets.

[Fishcop]

Garage ornament... Don't use.

[80-911SC]

agreed ... wall hanger ...

[tazzieman]

What is the wheel's history? Prior accident? Hard use?
Maybe the hole has weakened the metal.
Get a Retro...

[docrodg]

As a medic I can tell you for sure that you do not want to use that. In an accident it will likely break and enter your chest, I have seen such injuries and they suck, sometimes literally as they puncture a lung.

Hang it on the wall.

[Grady Clay]

Peter,

7/7 says it all, particularly docrodg.

I would choose to go back to a nice (strong & safer) Factory steering wheel.

I have a ’70 914-6GT (same as ‘73RS) steering wheel on my ’68 coupe.
Strong and the original RoW horn butterfly (reach with your thumbs) fits nicely.

Best,
Grady

[PeteM1965]

Thanks for the advice guys. The garage wall will shortly have a new ornament.

Nothing more interesting than metal fatigue. I think I was pushing on the wheel when getting out of the car.

Peter M