Would you repair this rim?

GoodMojo · 09-13-2001, 11:47 AM

First, I would just like to express my deepest sympathies for those in NYC and elsewhere that are affected by this travesty. I sincerely hope that some good will come out of this even though the pain is so great. Those innocent lives that have perished in this act will be sorely missed.

Today, I received a call from my claims agent who notified me that they will be repairing my rim which was damaged in a recent accident here in Seattle. The shop that's working on my 930 reported that they can no longer get this particular style of rim to replace the damaged one. Attached below are two pics of the damage on the existing rim. Is this rim is repairable? The rear tire deflated instantly upon impact and I assumed that the rim is warped to a point that it is no longer salvageable?

Thanks for reading this

-Wade
'88 930 Slant-coupe

dtw · 09-13-2001, 11:53 AM

I don't know, but if you can get ahold of Wheel Collision Center in Bath, PA, they'll give you an opinion. I have had several rims repaired there in the past with 100% satisfaction. Have them describe their procedure - you'll be a believer. Just knowing what they can do, my guess would be "Yes" they can fix yours. Last I checked, full repair and refinish was under $200 but that was about 3 yrs ago.

-d

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Dave
'72 911T to '73 RSR Replica Project

lsolon · 09-13-2001, 12:02 PM

I sure wouldn't want that on my car when it's fixed but, i'm not a wheel expert. Looks like hell! Are you sure you can't find that rim anywhere?

GoodMojo · 09-13-2001, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by lsolon:
I sure wouldn't want that on my car when it's fixed but, i'm not a wheel expert. Looks like hell! Are you sure you can't find that rim anywhere?

According to the parts guy at the shop, they can only get that particular rim with a polished finish (the ones that I have are not).

pbs911 · pbs911's Garage

I giess they buy you all new rims then.

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Paul
78SC Targa

Eric Coffey · 09-13-2001, 12:16 PM

If those are true 3-piece rims, you should at least be able to get new rim halves. Also, try an internet search or call 411 for "U.S. Wheel". They are based in Southern California, so you would have to send it out, but they do great work.

-Eric

Will · 09-13-2001, 12:39 PM

Are these forged? If so, the friendly folks at Wheel Enhancement say that forged wheels (e.g., Fuchs) will never be the same again after bending and attempted repair. Heating is required, which apparently changes the metal somehow. Tough to get true, and even then, not the same as it was before. They no longer attempt to repair them.

jeff91C2T · 09-13-2001, 12:45 PM

There's a good shop in Seattle that repairs rims but....I can't remember the name. Very reasonable. He does this kind of stuff all the time (took an oval phone dial to him once and it came back like new). I'm guessing there's no way on yours but why not give it a go...

Try giving Greg Fordahl a call at (425-644-6020). I think he'll be able to give you the name.

wdarner · wdarner's Garage

There must be used ones around somewhere.

Eric Coffey · 09-13-2001, 03:12 PM

Just wanted to ad that those (to me) look like turbo 3.6 replicas that I have seen made by RH Wheels or Prestige Wheels. You can probably find them here at Pelican. If not, I have seen them for sale through places like BW Motorsports (618-622-0524), By Design (888-993-2911), Better Bodies (619-690-5081), etc.. Also, Speedware (425-869-5680), over here on the Eastside has TONS of wheels and probably has, or can get what you need.

-Eric

[This message has been edited by freefly (edited 09-13-2001).]

Kevin Stewart · 09-13-2001, 11:21 PM

as a wheel dealer I will say that the wheel is repairable, BUT, here goes, on the three piece wheel the outer half is replaceable, there is no picture of the inner barrel so I presume its not bent, put the wheel on a balancer to see if the center section is bent, if not then all that is needed to replace is the outer half, look inside to see who made the wheel, if not count the bolts, bets are one of these companies built it and can identify it and can give you an estimate, here goes BW 618-632-6935, NR 1-800-225-3498, better bodies carries them but i dont think they build them, anyway let us know how it turns out, Kevin

ClayMcguill · 09-14-2001, 11:09 AM

Cool garden hose reel!

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Clay McGuill '66 912, '97 Jeep Cherokee, '70 Ford Bronco www.geocities.com/the912guy

Roland Kunz · 09-15-2001, 12:18 PM

Hello
Never had seen such a desater on a Porsche or BBS wheel without having major impact in the aligment.

I would recoment to have checked your axle and even search for cracks in the body.

Now I know that most aftermarked rims ( This looks like a two piece show rim )are "very" soft and so they bend even on a medium impact and this will save the body.

So don´t be scared just go sure.

Grüsse

GoodMojo · 09-20-2001, 11:55 PM

Just a quick update on this... The insurance company has agreed to replace all four rims since the shop reported that the rim was unsafe for repair. Another bit of encouraging news, my 930 has finally been delivered to the body shop and hopefully in two weeks I'll get my slant coupe back! Woohoo!! It's been three+ weeks since the accident and I've had more than enough of driving the "boat" (a Buick "just don't turn too quickly" Regal rental) to last a lifetime.

-Wade
'88 930 Slant-coupe (in surgery)

[This message has been edited by GoodMojo (edited 09-21-2001).]