O.Z. Racing 3-piece Wheel Repair

JoeCab · #1 (**permalink**) 10-20-2003, 01:46 PM

I posted this over in the Wheel and Tire forum - so far, no response. Maybe some of you Milano guys know a bit more about it:

Nizam, Chip, anyone?

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I have a set of 3-piece O.Z. alloys that were optional for the Milano. They are 15 x 7 and look very similar to the later Speedline alloys.

Now, this particular set is a bit less than round, and needs to be stripped and repainted. I can have the wheels both repainted and straightened for about $100/wheel.

My question to all of you wheel experts is this: is it possible to purchase new rims for these modular wheels instead of having the existing ones straightened? If so, do you have any sources for me?

My understanding of modular technology in the late '80s was that they used the same centers for different diameter and width wheels. This would lead me to believe that I may be able to find rims that fit these centers that would change the diamter to 16".

AlfaRacer75 · #2 (**permalink**) 10-20-2003, 02:08 PM

Modular wheels allow you to use different WIDTHS and OFFSET, but not diameter. I could be wrong though, just never heard of it. You never know... they did crazy things in the 80s

It would probably be cheaper to have the existing wheels straightened than to purchase all new outter rims. Even if it was the same price, the refinishing cost also gets you repainted centers.

I have no clue where you would get the modular outer rim other than maybe OZ themselves...

JoeCab · #3 (**permalink**) 10-20-2003, 02:15 PM

Chip,

I know today companies like HRE, Fikse, etc. will use a different center casting (or forging) for each wheel diameter they sell. But it was my impression that this wasn't always the case.

For example, I have seen a bunch of "mesh style" 3-piece wheels with very small center castings and big outer rim halves.

Anyway, yes it would probably be like finding a needle in a haystack to find the rims today

But you all are pretty smart, so I thought I'd ask anyway.

AlfaRacer75 · #4 (**permalink**) 10-20-2003, 02:20 PM

Yeah I guess now that I think about it... I've seen BMWs with modular mesh wheels that have dinky 13" centers, but 15" outter wheels.

So I guess it's possible, if you can find someone that makes the rim in the correct size, offset, and bolt spacing/number, etc.

AlfaSZ · #5 (**permalink**) 10-20-2003, 05:01 PM

It is no good asking O.Z. or Speedline, I have been down that route and niether will help, they will only sell complete wheels.

However it is possible (and perfectly safe) to alter the size of the 3-piece modular wheel via different rim sizes. The rims will have a 'step' in them to bring them up from 15'' to 16''.

I know of a couple of companies in the UK who will do this, one being Compomotive, but they would require the wheels so they can match exactly all the perimeter bolt holes.

I tried to include a picture (failed miserably) to show that the 'step' is not as bad as it sounds, looks good actually, so if interested please give me a shout and I will email a picture to you.

Just one last point, are you sure they are 3-piece? The Alfa SZ wheel (Speedline) is in fact 2-piece, it just looks like a 3-piece.

Best regards
Steve

**75evo** · #6 (**permalink**) 10-20-2003, 05:06 PM

Joe,

Those rims are beautiful.... too bad I need 16" for the brakes

I think it will be VERY expensive to make custom rims for those centers. And I also think those are actually 2 piece wheels.

JoeCab · #7 (**permalink**) 10-20-2003, 07:05 PM

AlfaSZ,

Thanks for the tips. I'll keep looking for a place in the U.S. that can do what you sugggest. I'll PM you for the photo.

I am fairly sure these are 3-piece: In the photo, see the 2 wheels lying on their sides. The black strip above the center is a bead of black silicone that is there to seal the 2 rim halves so they are air tight. I don't know of a way to tell for sure without splitting them which I am not ready to do just yet.

Joe

JoeCab · #8 (**permalink**) 10-20-2003, 11:40 PM

Ad the photo show, these are really 3-piece wheels. The center section is held captive by the inner and outer rim halves. If they were not separate, there would be no way to assemble the wheel.

**nizam** · #9 (**permalink**) 10-21-2003, 04:35 PM

Umm, yeah, I have a set of those 15x7" OZ Racing wheels too but my brakes (Brembo 4-pistons) are too big and won't allow me to use those anymore.

I'm sure a hotrod shop somewhere that custom makes wheels could help you out. I've been reading some hotrod rags and a number of them do offer this service. You bring them the centers, and they'll custom drill the barrels for you. They're not cheap, but you get the Alfa look and the correct size rim.

The other way of course, if to just polish 'em up and sell them. Then take the proceeds and buy the replicas that AlfaSZ posted earlier

I'd go with the latter unless you're set on the 15" rims.

Nizam

JoeCab · #10 (**permalink**) 10-21-2003, 11:48 PM

Nizam,

Thanks for the tip on the Hotrod magazines. I'll check one out. Do all Hotrod magazines have these ads, or just the ones with half-naked women on the covers?

Seriously, though, I know it would be easier and probably cost the same to just buy some 16" wheels. But, my wife and I would generally rather recycle than buy new whenever we can.