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Posted by: Flat VW Nov 13 2004, 12:33 PM

Hello to Everyone,

I am a first order "greenhorn" with an amusing story to tell (amusing to me anyway ).

I have a 1972 914-4 with four Mahle wheels and an ugly steel spare. I also have a 1975 914-4 with five Fuchs wheels. The 72 runs, the 75 does not (sound familiar? ). I thought that in the course of purchasing new tires for the 72 (205/55/15 Michelins) I would have the local Discount tire store mount the new tires on the Fuchs wheels and install them on the 72 car in place of the Mahle wheels. -No Dice- , the tire dude said the Fuchs would not fit on the 72!

Questions as follows:

Why? The tire dude said something about a "lump" on the 72 hubs or something like that.

Do I need to perhaps have the Fuchs machined to fit or is an adapter (if there is one) the way to go?

In either case are the 72 lug bolts gonna work?

Furthermore was a 72 offered with Mahle wheels from the factory?

Please let me thank all in advance who may reply,

Flat VW

Posted by: SLITS Nov 13 2004, 12:38 PM

That I have never heard of.............................

The Fuchs and Mahles would have a larger center hole to clear the wheel centering ring (on front hubs) on the later (late '72 up) model cars and should fit any year 914.

The only wheel that won't fit the later cars is the Pedrini early model as the '70 - mid '72 did not have the "wheel centering ring" on the hubs and the center hole is a smaller diameter.

Find another tire supplier............................

PS - there is a Pedrini wheel that will fit the later cars as the casting was modified. I believe the early casting OE number ended in 00 and the later 01.

If you have the Mahle Alloy Wheel Bolts, they are the same as the Fuchs (38 mm length I think). Stock, steel wheel bolts (24 mm length as I remember) will not give you enough threads to mount the any of the alloy wheels.

Posted by: rdauenhauer Nov 13 2004, 03:15 PM

Slits is correct...RUN from that tire hoser I have a early 73 and did that exact swap ... myself..(not sure why you cant do same) ...no issues since wheel lugs are only consideration and you should already have the long set.

Posted by: davep Nov 13 2004, 05:07 PM

It sounds like the "72" possibly has "73" front suspension. Don't think the 73 front rotors will work with a 72 strut. Still, there should not be a problem with the rims. They should always fit on the rear. Just be sure to use the proper bolts for the alloy rims. Check the cast-in part numbers on the rims for us. They should be dated as well. We'll help you figure this out.

Posted by: Flat VW Nov 14 2004, 09:55 AM

bump

Posted by: SLITS Nov 14 2004, 10:01 AM

Well, you bumped it................what happened?

You should be able to jack both cars up and try it yourself to find out.

Posted by: rhodyguy Nov 14 2004, 10:18 AM

. the guy told you this while you were standing at the counter? tire shops can be clueless. i had a installer tell me "these 195/60 tires won't fit on your car. the 165/70 tires you have rub as it is". have you tried to put a fuch on the front yourself?

kevin

Posted by: SLITS Nov 14 2004, 10:56 AM

Beginning to smell like a rouse!

Posted by: Flat VW Nov 14 2004, 02:22 PM

No Fellas, I guess I wasn't clear, the tire guy said after attempting to mount the Fuchs wheels that they would not fit the 72 after he had tried to install them. I wasn't there.

At this moment I currently have the new tires on the Mahle wheels on the 72 car (yes they are a tight fit).

The Mahle wheels are really nasty looking (oxidized? and perhaps one has been painted with silver paint because it looks too clean).

After a quick grocery run for the wife (spaghetti fixens), I intend to take the new wire brush I just bought and give them the scrubbing they needed fifteen years ago.

Furthermore, I am considering perhaps white powder-coating the Mahles.

Would anyone have any idea about cost for same?

Is powder-coating a "good " application for wheels (durability)?

Has anyone done same?

Any wheel cleaning advise would be appreciated.

Posted by: nebreitling Nov 14 2004, 02:31 PM

i don't understand the issue w/ the fuchs. should work.


anyway, i wouldn't hit those wheels with a wire brush if i were you...

powdercoating should work, but i'd just rattle can 'em.

also, look at the pelicanparts site. they have a couple good tech articles on wheel refinishing.

Posted by: redshift Nov 14 2004, 02:39 PM

If you use oven cleaner, they will scale, and look white... and it's constantly repeatable, by using oven cleaner.

I always get asked where I got my white wheels done, scaley white Fuchs. I like the unsheen.

Ron, you killed me with the 'Uncola' thingy in Rusty's thread..



M

Posted by: Flat VW Nov 14 2004, 02:39 PM

Thankyou Nebreitling, and all others for your comments.

Posted by: SLITS Nov 14 2004, 04:11 PM

Mahle Wheels were painted with Wurth's Silver (Laquer) and them coated with Wurth's Clear Coast (rattle cans). Best solution for a "stock" look, is to media blast them (glass bead) and them paint.

If you can get someone to media blast them with aluminum oxide, they will turn out shiny. Then clearcoat them.

The surface of the Mahle was never polished (unless a PO did it). It is a porous surface.

I have swapped Fuchs wheels between my '70, '71, '73 and two '74s. If they are Fuchs they will fit - no problem. They only car they wouldn't fit was my Jeep. <_<

Posted by: p914 Nov 14 2004, 04:32 PM

I bought some Fuchs wheels from Steve Thacker on eBay and he inspired me to post this here.

Here's what I did.
1. Had them mediablasted with plastic beads. $20 per wheel
2.Took them to a polisher. $25 per wheel (this is a good deal, these folks usually do truck wheels and agreed to do my wheels cuz I wuz a nice guy An average polisher will charge up to $100 per wheel to get em sparkling.

I think you will see a notable difference from before and after shots I took.

I talked with several painters and finishers. Alternative was to have them chemically stripped then polished. The stripper I talked with didn't have the right stuff to do it. You need a very strong anodized paint remover which is so strong that if you get a drop on you it will burn the Keerrapp outta yas. An advanced stripper would have this but a person might have a hard time finding someone with experience and the proper setup. I believe that http://www.wheelenhancement.com does this kind of refinishing at a premium price.

I could clear coat the wheels and found a super product called "Glisten PC" made by the folks at POR 15.
This clear coat is hard as a rock and won't fade or discolor. $45 a quart and $10 for the prep liquid. This will do 4 wheels.


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Posted by: p914 Nov 14 2004, 04:34 PM

Inside before media blast


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Posted by: p914 Nov 14 2004, 04:34 PM

after media blast


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Posted by: p914 Nov 14 2004, 04:36 PM

polished after blast


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Posted by: p914 Nov 14 2004, 04:37 PM

For the center cap removal and install I bought some plumbing pieces from the Lowes for $6.


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Posted by: p914 Nov 14 2004, 04:38 PM

How to do it with the center cap install/ remove


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Posted by: p914 Nov 14 2004, 04:39 PM

Afterwards


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Posted by: Flat VW Nov 14 2004, 04:39 PM

Thanks p914 that wheel looks sharp now

Posted by: p914 Nov 14 2004, 04:40 PM

Oh yeah the install of cap


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Posted by: p914 Nov 14 2004, 04:41 PM

and the car with newly polished wheels. I bought them from Steve Thacker on Ebay for $430


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Posted by: p914 Nov 14 2004, 04:44 PM

I went ahead and had the entire face polished as the mediablast removed the anodizing. I wanted an entirely polished look for the wheel. I did not put any clearcoat on and all i have to do is wash and wipe em to keep them sparkling.

Posted by: Flat VW Nov 14 2004, 08:00 PM

p914,
That wheel treatment is exactly what I had in mind for my Fuchs. I am working on the 72 now but the 75 that is "stuck on the Fuchs" is really the car I more consider a keeper.
Thank you for the pictures.

I really am not thrilled with the Mahles as they are and I think a white finish might look sharp with the car as it is ("alpine white" so I'm told).

Thanks again to all who have replied.

Posted by: p914 Nov 14 2004, 11:51 PM

Good luck with your project, take your time and search out someone that can do the job at the right price and quality work you want. They usually will have some pictures or finished stuff they can show you so you know what you will get. I almost went for a simple mediablasted wheel without polishing. I liked that look but the polishers I found had too good a price to pass up. I liked the dull matted look.

Posted by: rhodyguy Nov 15 2004, 08:28 AM

p914, i see your in wa. who did your wheels for $25?

kevin

Posted by: p914 Nov 15 2004, 09:08 PM

R&I Polishing in Woodland.
360 901 1880
360 607 7014

Posted by: microsa Nov 16 2004, 10:53 AM

I used the Pedrini wheels on my 73. I was installing new front discs at the same time so I just put them in a lathe and turned the 'hubcentric' ring down till they fit. Easy as cake! I liked the way they looked.

Mike Allen
former 914 driver.