RE: Porsche centre-locks - further recalls
Discussion
SuperchargedVR6 said:
I was thinking the same. What are the advantages of a centre lock wheel, other than speed of removal / refitting?
I've been following this issue a bit but by no means an expert. There really is no speed advantage with the pcl's - they generally take longer. They are a bigger pain then anything. Porsche wanted centerlocks for aesthetics/street/track cred and then came up with a poor design to try to make them fail safe - the locking mechanism instead of simply a cotter pin type arrangement. Some have said the overly complicated and weaker locking mechanism came about due to government regulations. The high level of torque needed to put them on and take them off makes them an utter pain. Changing a flat tire on road side isn't possible afaik. Ultimately, the procedure for putting them on is very precise it's nothing like f1 car wheel on off - you should never use a pneumatic air gun on pcl's! Torque wrench (a massive one) is required. The GT3 PCL's were a bit of a blunder. The Carrera GT CL's are a different/better design though I'm sure rather cumbersome too.
PiB said:
I've been following this issue a bit but by no means an expert. There really is no speed advantage with the pcl's - they generally take longer. They are a bigger pain then anything. Porsche wanted centerlocks for aesthetics/street/track cred and then came up with a poor design to try to make them fail safe - the locking mechanism instead of simply a cotter pin type arrangement. Some have said the overly complicated and weaker locking mechanism came about due to government regulations. The high level of torque needed to put them on and take them off makes them an utter pain. Changing a flat tire on road side isn't possible afaik. Ultimately, the procedure for putting them on is very precise it's nothing like f1 car wheel on off - you should never use a pneumatic air gun on pcl's! Torque wrench (a massive one) is required. The GT3 PCL's were a bit of a blunder. The Carrera GT CL's are a different/better design though I'm sure rather cumbersome too.
I had always assumed PCLs were devised to assist Porsche with tyre sales.
PiB said:
SuperchargedVR6 said:
I was thinking the same. What are the advantages of a centre lock wheel, other than speed of removal / refitting?
Ultimately, the procedure for putting them on is very precise it's nothing like f1 car wheel on off - you should never use a pneumatic air gun on pcl's! Torque wrench (a massive one) is required. The GT3 PCL's were a bit of a blunder. The Carrera GT CL's are a different/better design though I'm sure rather cumbersome too.If that isn't what they are all about on the Porsche then, they do indeed seem like a pointless thing to have, all things considered!
As already mentioned, it appears to be a "You have to go to a dealer...." type profit making scheme.
kambites said:
Really? How much lighter? I'd be astonished if it's more than a 50g difference per corner.
IMO, it's a gimmick for people to brag about in the pub; no more.
Nothing wrong with a gimmick.IMO, it's a gimmick for people to brag about in the pub; no more.
Lets be honest, fast road cars are just big toys anyway. They exist to make one feel good, and some little details, however gimmicky, make the owner feel good. Cars aren't serious business!
kambites said:
PunterCam said:
kambites said:
Really? How much lighter? I'd be astonished if it's more than a 50g difference per corner.
IMO, it's a gimmick for people to brag about in the pub; no more.
Nothing wrong with a gimmick.IMO, it's a gimmick for people to brag about in the pub; no more.
Someone's comment that roadside wheel changes are impossible with the centre locks did make me smile - like a GT3 has a spare anyway!
I guess they meant impossible unless you have your torque wrench etc that is.
They do seem a royal PITA for the sake of pretty wheels.
They look great but it wasn't like anyone was demanding them. Seems (based on posts above) they actually offer no speed advantage anyway and, even if they did, what's the point? Do people at track days employ a pit crew to do F1 style changes?! And if you were that serious about it all, wouldn't you have a cup car?
Carl_Docklands said:
teabagger said:
I've been using my datsun a fair bit on track. I've not had a wheel fall off and the dealers don't have to replace the hubs. Nice.
No, they just replace your gearbox I will be giving 911's a wide berth, an alloy wheel flying off is best avoided!
Take care.
Tango13 said:
Do the wheel nuts have L/H and R/H threads depending on which side of the car they're fitted and do they have locking springs?
No. They are not handed like proper motorsport centre locks (I believe that the ones on the Carrera GT are though). On the GT3 there are (IIRC) 5 pieces to the nut alone and there is a proscribed regime for periodic dismantling and re-greasing with aluminium paste. They also have a separate spring loaded internal locking device, just to keep things as complicated as possible. The only real purposes that they serve are marketing and aesthetics.teabagger said:
Carl_Docklands said:
teabagger said:
I've been using my datsun a fair bit on track. I've not had a wheel fall off and the dealers don't have to replace the hubs. Nice.
No, they just replace your gearbox I will be giving 911's a wide berth, an alloy wheel flying off is best avoided!
Take care.
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