All About Rims: FAQ. Part 2

How to tell collapsible light alloy rims from cast ones?

The major part of all light alloy rims are cast ones made by casting under pressure. In two-part light alloy rims the felloe and the rim itself are connected with steel or titanium bolts. The heads of the bolts make the rim look more aggressive and “loaded”. The felloe and the rims might be made using different technologies.

Many companies produce cast light alloy rims with fake bolts that serve only as decorations. In order to tell a collapsible rim from a cast one with fake bolts you must look at the rim from the other side. A cast rim doesn’t have a seam between the rim and felloe.

There are no technical advantages of collapsible rims, at the same time fake bolts increase the overall weight of a wheel and might get lost, especially on low-quality roads.

Can I install light alloy rims on my own?

In general, the principles of installing light alloys rims doesn’t dramatically differ from installing steel ones and it can be done on your own. But there are a few reasons for installing such rims (especially new ones) at the authorized service centers:

• The equipment must be proper in order not to damage the rim
• Installing the rim you must make sure that the length of the bolts is enough for safe fastening of the rim
• When installing you must make sure nothing hinders close contiguity of the flatness of the rim and hub. The hindrance cab be: the heads of braking system bolts etc
• Make sure the inner part of the rim doesn’t touch the elements of the braking system. The gap should make at least 3-5 mm. Otherwise, the rest might touch the rim after the change of plates
• The tire must not touch the body of the car at any position of the steering wheel

How to determine the mounting parameters of a wheel?

You can do it in special wheel catalogues or by measuring the wheel. Both the operations are better done in appropriate shops.

What is better: magnesium or light alloy rims?

Magnesium alloy rims can be either cast or forged. Magnesium is exposed to corrosion, that’s why the flatness of the rim must be properly processed before paintwork, and the apertures must be protected by bushings.

Magnesium rims are lighter than aluminum ones and they are more often used in auto sport.

What are adapters for light alloy rims?

If we speak about centering rings, they serve for accurate alignment of a wheel and hub of a car. For instance, if a rim has DIA 67,1 and the DIA of the hub is 63.34 (Ford), then a centering ring with the inner DIA 63.4 and the outer 67,1 must be installed. Without the ring the wheel won’t be balanced properly.

All About Rims: FAQ. Part 1

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