Alloy Wheels
Interested in buying a set of Alloy Wheels? - This guide will help you pick the perfect set of alloys and has some great tips on how to fit and look after your wheels!
Upgrading to Alloys
What are Alloy Wheels?
Until recently, the wheels fitted by most manufacturers to their every-day cars have been "steel wheels" Steel wheels are more resilient to damage, and are considerably cheaper to fit. Unfortunately they are almost always heavier, less attractive and smaller in both diameter and width than alloy wheels.
The term alloy wheels is usually given to wheels 'cast' from a mixture of aluminium which is light weight and great at dissipating heat and small amounts of more rigid metals whose presence in the 'mix' provides rigidity and helps prevent cracks propagating.
What determines quality in Alloy Wheels?
Street Rides support the specialists when it come to quality that is why we recommend R-Tec. R-Tec's quality standard for wheels is very high and the manufacturers that they deal with understand that they constantly monitor products to ensure that quality products are sold to thier customers. But what determines quality?
Manufacturing Process of Alloy Wheels:
Manufacturing processes and levels of testing are critical to a wheel's structural integrity.
International quality standards such as ISO9001, QS9000, TUV of Germany establish important production and quality standards that manufacturers must follow.
Proper Fit of Alloy Wheels:
Critical wheel dimensions such as width, diameter, offset, centre bore, brake clearance are the basics when it comes to properly fitting aftermarket alloy wheels. Installation also requires a high level of sophistication.
Many new vehicles are available with features such as ABS, traction control and other features that create a more difficult environment for installing aftermarket wheels. At R-Tec Auto Design they take care of the fitting of your new alloy wheels and tyres for you in thier large workshop by thier own trained technicians.
What does PCD mean?
PCD stands for "pitch circle diameter". This is the diameter of a circle drawn through the center of your wheel's bolt holes. PCD is measured in millimetres and also indicates the number of studs or bolts the wheel will have. The most common fitment has 4 studs with a PCD of 100mm, hence the fitment 4x100.
What does Offset (ET) mean?
This is important if you are thinking of purchasing aftermarket alloy wheels. The offset is the distance in mm between the centre line of the wheel rim, and the line through the fixing (hub) face. You can have positive (+), negative (-) or neither (0).
Get it wrong and your wheels can scrub against the bodywork, suspension or at worst not turn at all! It is deemed illegal if your wheels sit outside the arches of your vehicle.
What is the Centre Bore?
This is simply the size of the machined hole on the back of the wheel that centre's the wheel properly on the hub of the car. Center Bores are usually measured mm.
Some wheels require centering rings that lock into place in the back of the wheel in order to become hub centric and reduce the risk of vibration while driving. This is an acceptable alternative.
You should seek a wheel and tyre specialist or check a fitment guide prior to purchasing or fitting any alloy wheels.
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If your thinking of buying some new rims then look no further than the guys down at R-Tec!!