cracks in fuchs wheels

[fredmeister]

Anyone notice cracks forming in their original fuchs rims?
I regularly DE a set of track rims Fuchs 6 and 7 by 16" rims and noticed what I think is a crack forming in the area of the center cap and running thru one lug nut hole. I am not sure if it is a true hairline crack or a scratch.
I thought these rims were indestructible but it worries me that it may be a fatigue crack forming.
Anyone notice these problems with fatigue cracks arising on the fuchs wheels?

[Jack Olsen]

They crack. Usually is starts around the hub.

If you do a search, you'll see pictures of some Fuchs with cracks. The alloy has a finite lifespan, although it's more a matter of cumulative stress than simple age.

[MMARSH]

I've cracked at least four and shown others cracks in theirs. It's something I routinely check now.

[944 Ecology]

Yep, they crack. Once they show cracks, throw them away or make hose reels out of them.

They are getting old, and especially with sticky tires and hard driving, they will fatigue.

[J P Stein]

I deburr all my wheels. All sharp edges are worked into a minimum of .06 radius....including bolt holes. If I could find a place that I trusted, I'd have the centers shotpeened to boot.
I've found tha Fuch either have no edge breaks done or have been chamfered and then have 2 sharp edges.

I have an "after" pic here somewhere and this work isn't to make em' pretty.

[moneymanager]

Bruce Anderson and others have noted that steel lug nuts can loosen with aluminum wheels if not fairly requently torqued. Apparently the different coefficients of expansion are responsible. He points out that this is a recipe for cracked wheels in the area you mention.
I think anyone who tracks a car is well advised to examine each rim each time it goes on the car. Just takes a minute and it might avoid a serious problem.