Estoril Wheel Centres in aluminium anyone?
Discussion
Is anyone interested in getting a set of aluminium replacement wheel centres for Estoril wheels? As you probably know, the originals are a bit flimsy, and crack or break around the securing lug, causing them often to fall off and be lost. Cost would be £150 plus shipping or possibly less if a large enough number of people want them. VAT possibly on top of that - I need to confirm details. These would be replicas of the plastic ones, but in aluminium so as not to crack and fall off.
I want to get an idea of numbers who would definately want these, to gauge if it's worth pursuing the idea further. If enough people would want them then I could go ahead and make a batch. I should have the first set ready soon, and will post more details and pics when I have them.
I want to get an idea of numbers who would definately want these, to gauge if it's worth pursuing the idea further. If enough people would want them then I could go ahead and make a batch. I should have the first set ready soon, and will post more details and pics when I have them.
Update: part finished example on wheel pic:
Not completely finished yet - need to finish the bolt hole and lug behind. The disks are 4mm thick aluminium. As it is not realistically possible to do a recessed hole for the bolt in the same way as the plastic (moulded) originals, I will probably have the hole counter sunk, and use a torx bolt and a tiny spot of thread lock to secure them. There will be a solid or semi-solid abutment lug on the back of the hole to stop the disc from being pushed in when bolted on tight. Also plan to use a thin bead of clear silicone sealant around the edge to seat nicely and avoid rattles & scrapes. I'm not bother about not using the original so called "security" bolts, as they can be undone with a screwdriver anyway, but I may be able to source some suitable "security" bolts - will continue to look into it.
The first set is going on my car. I'll hopefully have more news and info soon, and I'll update when I do. Once the design is sorted, I'd like to put together a batch of definate orders, so we know exactly how many to make in one go. In sufficient numbers the cost may come down, but we'll have to see.
Not completely finished yet - need to finish the bolt hole and lug behind. The disks are 4mm thick aluminium. As it is not realistically possible to do a recessed hole for the bolt in the same way as the plastic (moulded) originals, I will probably have the hole counter sunk, and use a torx bolt and a tiny spot of thread lock to secure them. There will be a solid or semi-solid abutment lug on the back of the hole to stop the disc from being pushed in when bolted on tight. Also plan to use a thin bead of clear silicone sealant around the edge to seat nicely and avoid rattles & scrapes. I'm not bother about not using the original so called "security" bolts, as they can be undone with a screwdriver anyway, but I may be able to source some suitable "security" bolts - will continue to look into it.
The first set is going on my car. I'll hopefully have more news and info soon, and I'll update when I do. Once the design is sorted, I'd like to put together a batch of definate orders, so we know exactly how many to make in one go. In sufficient numbers the cost may come down, but we'll have to see.
OK, as is often the way with these things, progress has been slower than anticipated. The workshop guy doing the machining has been in and out of the country a lot, as he has a second home in France, or something like that. This has been particularly annoying for me, as I wanted the disks for my car which is for sale.
Anyway, they finally got finished last week. I looked at them Saturday, and they look great IMO. I will post photos as soon as I can - maybe later today - been a bit busy with many things going on.
Having done these as a prototype, he now knows exactly what the process is, and how much work and material it will involve. I have asked him to provide cost and leadtime if making about half a dozen sets at the same time, and I will post details when I have that info. Then, if people want these, I will be looking for confirmed orders with some payment up front. Obviously, I don't want to take on the entire risk of ordering them and then people dropping out, but I realise people won't want to pay full up front. So I'll be looking for part payments up front, non-refundable if you subsequently drop out, but fully refundable if it falls through from my end.
Anyway, they finally got finished last week. I looked at them Saturday, and they look great IMO. I will post photos as soon as I can - maybe later today - been a bit busy with many things going on.
Having done these as a prototype, he now knows exactly what the process is, and how much work and material it will involve. I have asked him to provide cost and leadtime if making about half a dozen sets at the same time, and I will post details when I have that info. Then, if people want these, I will be looking for confirmed orders with some payment up front. Obviously, I don't want to take on the entire risk of ordering them and then people dropping out, but I realise people won't want to pay full up front. So I'll be looking for part payments up front, non-refundable if you subsequently drop out, but fully refundable if it falls through from my end.
Iamges of finished aluminium Estoril wheel centres fitted:
Workshop had already fitted them and I didn't have time to take one off. I'll go back and get pics off the car, probably Saturday. Should get price and lead-time info then.
Note: the TVR badges are not included. Mine are from Clever Trevor: http://www.clever-trevor.net/part/575/wheel-centre...
Workshop had already fitted them and I didn't have time to take one off. I'll go back and get pics off the car, probably Saturday. Should get price and lead-time info then.
Note: the TVR badges are not included. Mine are from Clever Trevor: http://www.clever-trevor.net/part/575/wheel-centre...
Edited by Pum on Thursday 23 September 19:48
Not sure about a bend - I hadn't noticed. The "lug", or thick washer or spacer on the back is just the right thickness too allow you to do the bolt up nice and tight, without pulling the disk in, or allowing it to rattle. A little silicone sealant can be used to seat the disk on the wheel if you wish, but TBH I don't think it would be necessary.
I am still waiting for details on making a small batch. I chased yesterday. I am looking for the maker to give a commitment on price and delivery time, then I will post details and people can order. Sorry about the delay, but if this goes ahead I want to do it properly. BTW, I'm making nothing out of this - the price you get will be the price I get.
Unfortunately, the guy that did the work is just not reliable enough for me to proceed further with this. I am very happy with the one set of centres he did for me, but I can't get him to commit to a definate price or delivery time for a small batch, so I'm taking this no further. Sorry about that.
If anyone wants to try this themselves, it's pretty simple. Basically, find a machine workshop that can machine aluminium disks on a lathe. Give them an old plastic centre, and ask them to make a copy in aluminium.
If anyone wants to try this themselves, it's pretty simple. Basically, find a machine workshop that can machine aluminium disks on a lathe. Give them an old plastic centre, and ask them to make a copy in aluminium.
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