Posts filed under 'Car Wheels'
Tip! What Steve did share with me is the not only are the original Hot Wheels worth money but he makes most of his money off of his modified cars, hence the title of this article. Steve said he has been modifying these cars for a few years now.
The quickest way to ruin the wheels on your car is to let brake dust gather unimpeded. Sure, you can clean the dust off on a daily basis, but who has the time? What if you ruin them by using an abrasive cleaner? However, if you don’t do something about the problem, your wheels’ finish will most certainly corrode and deteriorate. This is not something you want to see: your pricey AMG 129s eating dust! Fortunately, in this world of ever improving technology a permanent and cost effective solution will take care of the problem for less than $100.
Brake dust shields [also known as wheel dust shields] can successfully protect your wheels from dust. Made of high strength aluminum alloy, brake dust shields fit securely between the hub and wheel just like an inside hubcap; the turbo-venting design of the shield enhances brake cooling.
Tip! Any street driven car can take advantage of aftermarket custom wheels by increased gas mileage as well as better performance. All due to the reduced weight of custom alloy wheels.
Properly installed brake shields are a great idea for the following reasons:
They will keep your wheels shiny and like new; protects them from damaging brake dust.
Are easy for you to install; no special tools are necessary.
Are made of a one piece no-maintenance aluminum alloy.
Come in a variety of sizes that fit virtually all cars, trucks, and SUVs equipped with factory wheels.
Will not impact your new car warranty.
Brake dust shields are sold in pairs and are custom made for your wheels. In most cases you can order and receive two pairs and have them shipped to your home for under $100. When you consider that your AMG 129s cost $863 each, the investment is well worth it; almost like having wheel insurance without reoccurring annual charges!
Currently, there is only one manufacturer of wheel dust shields, Kleen Wheels. Some cars come factory equipped with these shields as the importance of protecting pricey wheels is not lost on some car manufacturers, particularly those marketing high end car lines.
Tip! You are sure to have seen the hundreds and hundreds of stores that specialize in dealing with custom and personalized wheels. These would be an excellent spot to start the search for the SUV rims of your dreams.
A tip: When ordering brake dust shields you are ordering them for the wheel not the car. Shields will be different if your wheels are factory delivered or after market installed. Make sure you are clear on this when placing your order as you could learn that the shields you ordered do not match your wheels.
Yeah, AMG 129s are totally cool. Without the brake dust, that is!
Matt Keegan is a contributing writer for Car Parts Stuff, an online supplier of high quality and well priced automobile parts.
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August 8th, 2008
Tip! Competition oriented car enthusiasts buy custom wheels for the performance benefits. Custom aluminum alloy wheels are much lighter and stronger than ordinarily steel wheels and they look great also.
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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.
Tip! After a week or so, depending on how much usage and dirt your car sees, you’ll want to first hose off all the loose dirt and grit from the wheels (the last thing you want to do is polish it into the metal, scratching the surface) and give them a wash with mild soapy warm water. Despite the availability of many cleaners on the market, this is the best way to keep the wheels clean and undamaged.
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.
Tip! Eriani Doyel writes articles about Recreational Vehicles. If you would like more information on fifth wheels visit http://www.
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.
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July 21st, 2008
Tip! After metal, it’s time for the best part, choosing which style you want. Style in wheels is a very personal thing.
There are numerous benefits to fitting alloy wheels to your car. For a start they are cast from aluminium which means they are light-weight, and more attractive than regular wheels. They are great at dissipating brake heat and small amounts of more rigid metals the presence of which helps prevent cracks propagating. They are also available in standardised sizes, to fit almost every car.
Tip! It’s not that unusual to find custom wheels selling from about $100.00 to $150.
One of the best advantages of the wheels in performance terms, is the reduction in your cars unsprung weight, meaning a reduction in rotating mass at the ends of your suspension components. This means improved steering and greater breaking response.
For those who have not yet purchased those shiny new rims, these definitions might go some way to clarifying the elaborate specifications you will see when you’re out shopping. When in doubt, there are plenty of alloy dealers willing to lend their expertise, and ensure you get a wheel that suits both you and your car.
Offset – The offset is usually engraved on the wheel, and means the distance between the wheel’s centre-line and the hub mounting face at the back of the wheel. Wheels with their mounting face towards the front fact of the wheel are called Positive Offset wheels. Most front wheel drives are this kind. Wheels that have their mounting face level with the centreline of the wheel are called Zero Offset wheels. You can guess therefore, that wheels with their mounting face towards the rear of the wheel are called Negative Offset wheels.
PDC – This stands for Pitch Circle Diameter. It measures the diameter of the circle drawn through the centre of the bolt holes of your wheels. It is measures in millimetres and will often help you ascertain how many studs or bolts the wheel will have.
Tip! If you are thinking about installing a set of rims on your SUV, the first thing you need to do is decide on a budget. Since wheels can be very pricey indeed it is a good idea to set a limit on your spending from the get go.
Centrebore – This is the size of the hole at the back of the wheel into which the hub fits. This hole needs to match the size of the hub exactly, in order for the wheels to seat properly. Most modern wheels are referred to as ‘hub-centric’ – meaning the hub is ‘load-bearing’. This means that all the bolts or studs do is hold the wheel onto the hub. ‘Lug-centric’ wheels imply that you bolts or studs have a more critical job, so you need to ensure you check and tighten them regularly.
Up-Stepping – This relates to the practise of increasing your wheel-diameter and reducing the profile of your tyres. This can increase the handling of your car, response and feedback.
When fitting new alloys, initially you must ensure you have the right kinds of bolts, as they have various diameters, threads and seatings – something that your wheel supplier will be able to advise on. It is normally recommended that you get a professional fitter to do the job for you anyway, so buying your wheels from a dealer willing and qualified to fit them is a good idea. If you spend money on a quality pair of wheels, have them professionally fitted and keep on top of the grime and damage regularly – your alloy wheels will repay you by lasting a lot longer than you would expect and will look a good deal shinier too.
Tip! Many who have seen our Corporate Offices on wheels, The Blitz Mobile; Mobile Command Center are impressed. We are unconvinced anyone should be impressed, it is not as Easy as It Looks and some say it is all about Grinding it Out, as one plots a tack to Pour Your Heart Into It.
July 10th, 2008
Tip! Features: Fifth wheels vary greatly in features depending on the size and the price. The most basic models will have a small kitchen area with a sink, a refrigerator and a small cook top.
Offset means what?
Offset is normally stamped or engraved into the wheel and is measured in millimeters of ET: ET is the short form of the German word Einpresstiefe which translates as insertion depth.
Offset is the distance between the hub mounting face at the back of the wheel and the wheel’s centerline.
Negative Offset wheels have their mounting face toward the rear of the wheel – powerful rear-wheel drive cars often have wheels with negative offset.
Zero Offset wheels have their mounting face even with the centerline of the wheel and are by definition ET0.
Positive Offset wheels have their mounting face toward the front face of the wheel. Front wheel drive vehicles usually have positive ET wheels. Eighties & Nineties Volkswagen wheels are generally ET38.
PCD means what?
PCD stands for pitch circle diameter and is the diameter of a circle drawn through the centre of your wheel’s bolt holes. P.C.D. is measured in millimeters and also indicate the number of studs or bolts the wheel will have. Volkswagen Alloy Wheels are usually either 4×100: i.e. 4 bolt holes drilled through the centre of an imaginary 100mm circle, or 5×100: for VR6s, GTis and MK4s.
Center bore means what?
The center bore of an alloy wheel is the size of the hole at the back of the wheel which the hub fits into. To help the wheels to seat properly this hole needs to be an exact match to the size of the hub.
Tip! The number of wheel choices available these days can be mind boggling! If you are looking for something different for your car, truck or SUV then take a little time to look at all the different black custom wheels on the market today. Especially wheels that are chrome and black or black wheels with a machined face.
Most modern wheels are what’s called hub-centric. This means that the hub which protrudes from your car, and mates with the equivalent sized hole at the back of your wheel, is load bearing. All that the studs or bolts do is holding the wheel onto the hub.
If you have lug-centric wheels, the state of your studs or bolts is obviously more important – be sure to replace these from time to time and always 3/4 tighten the wheels off the car to make sure they’re centered.
Plus-Sizing and Up-Stepping means what?
Plus-Sizing or Up-Stepping are two terms given to the practice of rising the diameter of your wheels whilst at the same time reducing the profile of your tires to keep the overall rolling radius the same.
Benefits Plus-Sizing will develop the handling of your car! Each step will decrease the proportion of flexible tire sidewall to rigid alloy. This will improve response, will help keep the tire tread square to the road and will improve your car’s feedback. If done correctly speed and odometer accuracy will retain and the car look better.
Tip! The Cost: The most basic fifth wheels start at well below $40,000 and might be perfect for those weekends out hunting or fishing with the guys. The more luxurious models can range anywhere up to nearly $100,000.
Disadvantages Often, tire inches are lighter than wheel inches. Plus-sizing can make your overall wheel/tire package heavier. Reducing the profile of your tires will also decrease your car’s damping deflection under compression the ride quality will get worse. Other disadvantages can include the need for more expensive tires, your brakes looking undersized and people’s grannies laughing and calling your car a buggy.
You got the Alloy Wheels and then what?
Before you do anything, ensure to see that you have the right sort of bolts – Bolts and studs have various diameters, threads and settings, your wheel supplier should be able to advice on this. Also check to see that you the 4 plastic spigot rings which help the interface between the wheel and the hub.
Next you need to jack your car up; do this in a secure way, and be sure to use axle stands, chock wheels still in contact with the ground and apply the parking brake. Offer a wheel up to the car and check that the bolt holes line up, that the wheel locates on the hub properly and that there is wheel arch, suspension strut and brake caliper clearance. If you have upgraded your brakes be SURE to seek advice and measure everything thoroughly before you order.
The wheel bolts or nuts must be tightened to the manufacturer’s precise torque. Be sure to re-torque after a 100 miles or so as they will compress slightly; tighten them increasingly till they’re 3/4 tight then lower the car and complete the process.
Take care of your Alloy Wheels
As anybody who’s stepped into a motor factor in the last 10 years will tell you, there’s a huge variety of specialist wheel cleaners on the market, all designed to help make the job of cleaning your new rims that little bit easier, unfortunately the real key to a great finish is hard work.
Tip! Manufacturers often describe black wheels in the following manner: painted black, chrome and black, gloss black, matte black, flat black, powder coated black, satin black, charcoal, hyper black, iridium black, black with a machine lip, black paint with polished stainless lip, black with a diamond cut face, chrome with black spoke caps, chrome with black inserts, carbon, graphite, anthracite, and black chrome. However, black and hyper black are the most popular descriptions used by manufacturers.
Before you fit your wheels, give them several coats of good quality car polish back and front. This will help prevent the road salt, brake dust and dirt keying to the surface on first use. Be sure to treat the surface of your alloys as well, if not better, than you would your paintwork. Remember, you have spent a small fortune of your alloys and they’re going to be subject to the harshest conditions of just about any part of the car!
Frequent washing with mildly soapy warm water; and remember to hose all the loose abrasive grit off first. This is the best way to keep wheels clean. Do not use abrasive cleansers, electric buffers or wire wool pads on your wheels. Where it is possible let your wheels cool before cleaning them and keep away from car-wash wheel-cleaners at all times.
Huge amount of information about Alloy Wheels on this site – go check out.
Tip! Typical accessories found on dually pick up trucks are grille guards, nerf bars, headache racks, bed rails, mud flaps and large custom wheels. Turn your Chevy, Ford or Dodge dually diesel into a beast with custom wheels from Alcoa.
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June 23rd, 2008
Tip! The number of wheel choices available these days can be mind boggling! If you are looking for something different for your car, truck or SUV then take a little time to look at all the different black custom wheels on the market today. Especially wheels that are chrome and black or black wheels with a machined face.
Automotive technology that was developed on the race track has trickled down to the street in one form or another for the last 40 years or more. This is the case with American Racing Vintage custom wheels they call the “Hopster.” The Hopster has been around for a number of years and is a very good choice for that classic vehicle such as a 1955, 1956 and especially 1957 Chevrolet street rods. American Racing Hopster wheels are beautiful wheels for your classic ride that features timeless 5-spoke styling. Street rods and customs often have over sized wheel wells and huge fender openings that must be properly filled to achieve the right look. American Racing Hopster’s would be a good choice. When properly fitted, it’s tough to beat the look of a fender full of great looking aluminum custom wheels and high-performance low profile tires. Stock wheels just don’t cut it any more as the baby boomers of the 1960s start to retire and relive their teenage years.
The American Racing Hopster series 550 is a 2 piece custom wheel that comes in fully polished aluminum and will fit various bolt patterns and sizes from 15 X 10 inches up to 17 X 9.5 inches in width. Looking for something bigger? American Racing offers the Hopster in a custom offset series 450. The Hopster series 450 is also a fully polished 2 piece aluminum alloy custom wheel. The series 450 is offered in 15 X 10 inches all the way up to 20 X 10 inches in width. The Hopster series C450 is a third choice offered by American Racing that features a 2 piece alloy polished rim and a chrome center. All Hopster’s have the American Racing logo featured on their great looking center caps.
Tip! 4- There are a great many companies that specialize in wheels; they would be an excellent choice as a starting point when beginning your search. These stores will allow you to see the actual wheel, to get a feel of how it will look when mounted on your SUV.
Thinking about a set of custom wheels? Then give American Racing Hopster a good look, the Hopster has all the features you will need for your classic car or truck. Prices start at about $200.00 for 15 inch wheels to about $400.00 for a set of 20 inch X 10 inch custom wheels.
May 25th, 2008
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