Fuchs won't go where Mahles have been, wheel swap did not work Options

[Flat VW]

Hello to Everyone,

I am a first order "greenhorn" with an amusing story to tell (amusing to me anyway (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) ).

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? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/slap.gif) ). 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

[SLITS]

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.

[914werke]

Slits is correct...RUN from that tire hoser (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif) 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.

[davep]

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.

[Flat VW]

bump

[SLITS]

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

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

[rhodyguy]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) . 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

[SLITS]

Beginning to smell like a rouse!

[Flat VW]

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.

[nebreitling]

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.

[redshift]

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

[Flat VW]

Thankyou Nebreitling, and all others for your comments.

[SLITS]

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. <_<

[p914]

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.

[p914]

Inside before media blast

[p914]

after media blast

[p914]

polished after blast

[p914]

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

[p914]

How to do it with the center cap install/ remove

[p914]

Afterwards