Because they look cool right! The performance benefits of custom wheels should be your answer. In the 1950s and 1960s race car drivers developed lighter magnesium wheels to reduce weight and enhance performance in all form of racing. They were called Mags by the racers, a term still widely used today. However, most magnesium wheels were far to fragile for daily street use. Plus magnesium oxidizes very quickly and require frequent polishing. Magnesium wheels used in modern race cars are often forged to make them stronger and reduce weight. As a result contemporary forged magnesium custom wheels are very expensive. The oxidization problem is the reason you don’t see contemporary custom wheels made of magnesium.
Fortunately for the custom wheel market today manufacturers developed light weight aluminum alloy wheels that provide the strength needed and come in numerous finish options while reducing wheel weight. Trendy wheel finishes include chrome and polished aluminum, plus painted aluminum alloy come in hyper-silver, silver, white, black, gray and Anthracite. While many of us choose aftermarket custom wheels for their good looks, there are many important performance benefits resulting from reducing a wheels weight compared to factory steel wheels.
The additional strength of a custom alloy wheels can notably reduce tire deflection and tire rollover while cornering. You also get increased brake cooling with custom alloy wheels because aluminum alloy is a great conductor of heat. The large mass of the aluminum wheels help dissipate heat from the brakes. The open design of 5 spoke and 6 spoke custom wheels allow more air flow over the brakes cooling them as you drive in city traffic.
One of the most significant factors affecting a car, truck or SUV road holding ability is the reduced weight of custom aluminum alloy wheels over factory steel wheels. By reducing weight, custom wheels provide improved acceleration and braking. You must also be careful not to exceed the design weight of the original wheels and have the reverse effect by adding larger wheels and tires or aluminum alloy wheels that are gravity cast. Gravity cast aluminum alloy custom wheels are cheaper but heavier and prone to bending. Look for aluminum wheels that are either low pressure cast or forged, they cost more but will reduced weight and adds strength.
Keep in mind that sizing up or adding larger wheels and tires will actually add weight. So plus sizing should be done the proper way. By using a larger diameter wheel with a lower profile tire it’s possible to properly maintain the overall original diameter of your wheel and tire. It’s important to keep your new custom wheels within 3 percent of the original equipment. Differences larger than 3 percent can cause problems with transmission shift points which can decrease fuel mileage. It can also confuse braking system computers, reduce ride comfort and cornering capability. Go for wider rather than taller wheel – tire diameters, the results is a larger contact patch and a sportier look.
Steve Farber is an author and web site publisher on custom wheels including car rims and truck-SUV wheels. Read articles and reviews on the top 60 custom wheel manufactures in the market today at http://www.custom-wheels-n-rims.com
24 Jul
Posted by: admin in: Car Wheels Articles
Many classic car owners think their cars are wonderful sporting chrome wire wheels, but over the past ten years I have come to the opposite conclusion. We have ten classic cars, at least six of which started life with wire wheels, either chrome or painted.
Our MGB and Triumph TR4A both had painted wire wheels, and when the tyres needed replacing on the TR4A my attention turned to the wheels. Some of the paint was flaking off the spokes so I checked on the price of having then stripped and re-painted, and this would have been about the same as, maybe slightly more than, replacing them with period Minilite style wheels.
On the TR4A the splines are bolted onto the hubs, so removing them was a simple task of unbolting them, installing new bolts of the original length and fitting a set of bolt on Minilites fitted with new tyres, all freshly balanced of course. The car looked much nicer and tidier than before and the silver wheels suited the car. Then I drove the car. What a transformation! The car had always rattled a bit and I just put this down to its age and general condition. With the new wheels fitted all the shakes and rattles had disappeared, the car was much smoother and a pleasure to drive.
It all comes down to balancing. Most tyre companies aren’t very good at balancing wire wheels as they don’t always have the correct cones to make sure they fit on the balancing machines properly. If any of the spokes are damaged or loose, then this makes them even harder to balance. But the new alloy Minilites balanced perfectly – hence the transformation. And no danger of spokes coming loose or getting damaged or bent.
The other benefit to us, as we hire out our cars, is that Minilites are much easier and quicker to clean than wire wheels.
So when our MGB needed a new set of tyres I bought another set of Minilites. Unfortunately on the MGB the splined hubs do not just bolt on as they do with the TR4A and I didn’t want to change the axle, so I ordered a set of Minilites with splined centres fitted. More expensive that the bolt on ones but cheaper than changing the axle. Same result – complete transformation.
Over the years we have worked through all our other cars changing the wire wheels for alloy ones. I didn’t think Minilites would look quite right on our E-Type Jaguar but then I came across a company selling alloy copies of the D-Type racing wheels so fitted these instead. Now I prefer not to buy a car with wire wheels fitted. When we bought our Austin Healey 3000 it was fitted with a beautiful set of pristine chrome wire wheels and new tyres. I had a set of splined centred Minilites sent up to the dealer and he swapped the tyres over and we sold the chrome wheels on EBay.
We have just added another E-Type to our fleet and I will shortly be ordering another set of D-Type style wheels for that.
So if your car has wire wheels, chrome or painted, get rid of them. Invest in a set of alloy wheels instead. Obviously don’t go for modern ones, far too bling and out of character, so pick a period set like Minilites or D-Type copies that will suit the age of the car.
You will find the car drives much better, much smoother, the wheels stay balanced properly, increasing tyre life and you have the added bonus that they are extremely easy to clean.
Tony Merrygold
The Open Road – Classic Car Hire
http://www.theopenroad.co.uk
Expert in running a classic car hire company having been in business in the UK since 1997.
Has recently launched http://www.classiccarhireworld.com the biggest web portal in the world dedicated to classic and sports car hire.
The most common types of bearings are wheel bearings. Motorcycle wheels have them, so do skateboards. The bearings help give you a smooth ride.
Proper maintenance of the ball bearings is the key to ensuring they don’t give you any problems. Bad bearings usually are the causes of the clunking noises you hear as you turn the wheel, or the gritty feel on the wheel. If you’re wondering what these wheel bearings look like, you might have actually seen them in your broken bicycle or if you have tried to repair your wheels. Most types conceal the balls in these bearings. These balls are made of special alloys of stainless steel.
It was no less than Renaissance man himself, Leonardo Da Vinci who described a type of wheel bearing in his studies in the beginning of the 16th century. The invention of the wheel bearing, alongside the other inventions of the rebirth, is one of the most significant heirlooms of the era that have changed little over time. Leonardo da Vinci is said to have described a type of wheel bearing around the year 1500.
One issues with ball bearings is that they can rub against each other, causing additional friction, but this can be prevented by placing the balls in a cage and heavily lubricate them.
To find a good lubricant, take a look at the back of the can and make sure that they are made of proper oils that will not destroy the metal of your wheel bearing. The bearings tend to wear over time, and you can’t really do anything about it but to replace them. It is advised that you find the same quality, as some lesser quality wheel bearings may not keep up with your original ball bearings, and you may end up ruining your skateboard or motorcycle wheels.
Bearings provides detailed information on Bearings, Ball Bearings, Wheel Bearings, Skateboard Bearings and more. Bearings is affiliated with Rebuilt Carburetors [http://www.e-carburetors.com].
18 Jul
Posted by: admin in: Car Wheels Articles
Motorists or car users are luckier nowadays for having millions of choices of top quality replacement auto parts. Maintaining a vehicle, upgrading it or even modifying it has never been easier than it is today. Every auto part is virtually available for a common car user who wants to work on his own vehicle. Whether he wants to improve its safety features, enhance its gas mileage and fuel efficiency or upgrade its style, he can do it with ease and convenience through these available replacement auto parts.
As we all know the wheels are the closest car parts to the road so they must be kept in excellent form and condition as much as possible. They also significantly affect handling and ride quality so they must be properly taken cared of. Moreover, the wheels lend the vehicle a more stylish look and thus, they too can make the car a lot more fun to drive.
When it comes to quality, design and durability, Ford truck parts wheels including GMC truck wheels, Toyota wheels, and Ford wheels are stand out. They are made to match every make and model’s specifications and various likes of auto users.
Auto Parts Deal provides the best deals on auto wheels and other auto parts like Ford bumpers, Dodge fog lights, Chevrolet headlights, Toyota radiator and Mazda spoilers, so you can truly enjoy shopping for your replacement part needs. And with its long-time experience in the auto parts business, you can be confident that your getting only the best replacement auto parts for your car.
However, every auto user must not only concern himself with the quality of the parts he is purhasing but also on how he is going to install the parts to his vehicle. In installing the wheels, proper wheel alignment is important so as not to sacrifice the tire’s life and hence, the car’s ride and handling.
Often times, wheel alignment is confused with wheel balancing; the two, however are two different terms. Wheel alignment consists of adjusting the angles of the car wheels so that they are perpendicular to the road or the ground and are parallell to each other.
Improper alignment of the wheels result to excessive tire wear, steering and tracking problems so make sure you check your car wheels‘ proper alignment before you hit your hot new car wheels from to the road.
Sarah McBride As a manager of one of the largest auto stores in Springfield, Massachussets, Sarah has extensive experties on auto parts and automotives in general. This 42 year old is a certified car enthusiast.
15 Jul
Posted by: admin in: Car Wheels Articles
Many motorists go to the dealership looking specifically for four wheel drive cars. But, do you really understand why four wheel drive capability can be advantageous compared to two wheel drive? There are actually some advantages both ways and the important thing you need to consider is what you are going to use your vehicle for and what benefits are most important.
Four wheel drive cars come in all shapes and sizes. Many people think of sports utility vehicles or trucks when they think about vehicles that have 4 wheel drive capabilities. However, there are smaller cars that do come with the ability to move between the two.
Power and safety are often the benefits that people expect when they buy vehicles with this capability. The more powerful driving capabilities make off-road driving, harsh weather driving, and other situations where power and performance are important, more manageable. Safety is another reason many people seek out this capability. Tyres are an important safety component of a vehicle since they maintain your car’s grip with the road. Many people feel safer if all four of their car’s tyres are actively involved in its movement versus two wheel drive where two cars pull the other two along for the ride.
One potential drawback is that four wheel drive cars often cost more money to drive. Because of the increased engine and motor requirements to use a four-wheel drive vehicle, fuel costs and maintenance expenses can be greater. Many SUVs and off-road vehicles have very low miles per gallon, especially in-town when there is no momentum helping to push them forward.
Another thing to consider when contemplating whether this type of vehicle is right for you is the car insurance issue. Buying car insurance includes an assessment of the expense to repair and cover your car and its parts. Typically, the greater the risk to the insurance provider, the higher your premium costs. Because four wheel drive autos are usually more expensive to maintain and are often more cumbersome to service, the insurance might be a bit more. There are usually opportunities to find reasonably cheap car insurance, though, for four wheel drive cars if you are diligent in looking.
There are advantages and disadvantages that come with any type of vehicle. The important thing is to talk with a car dealer or do your homework to figure out what type of car is best for your driving needs. Do you need something that offers power and performance but may sacrifice fuel efficiency? Or, would you rather have something fuel efficient that may lack in power and performance off-road or in rough climates? Obviously, the answer depends on where you live and what your preferences are.
Remember these key questions in deciding whether four wheel drive cars are the right fit for you:
Russell Marlow is a London based freelance writer who writes about financial products including car insurance [http://www.tescocompare.com].