Center lock or Not
Center lock or Not
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Discussion

GT3-RS

Original Poster:

1,085 posts

242 months

Sunday 8th February 2015
quotequote all
A question to those owners who have spec'd the Centre lock wheels on their 911 (as I'm about to put a deposit on a new Targa 4 GTS).....Tyres?....how or who do you get to fit them due to the fact that you need a 6' long Torque wrench to tighten to 690n/m I'm thinking your local tyre fitters not having one so are tyre choice and fitment back to OPC? cause that sounds like a PITA and Expense....I'm thinking as nice as centre locks are should I stick with 5 Stud hubs as tyre choice and fitment would be simpler and I'd get a better choice of after market wheel if I so wished....I'm thinking a set of 20" Porsche Fuchs....nice.....thanks for your input

m33ufo

4,959 posts

254 months

Sunday 8th February 2015
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Irrespective of the hassle, I'd just have to go with centre-locks because they look so damn good!

Steve Rance

5,453 posts

254 months

Sunday 8th February 2015
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Not

dazren

22,612 posts

284 months

Sunday 8th February 2015
quotequote all
Given a choice I would go without centre locks. Including on my GT3. Practical considerations eg dealing with a puncture when away in Scotland or in Europe make them a PITA non starter for me. My regular tyre dealer does not have the equipment to get the wheels off so I'll have to deal with my OPC on tyre stuff.

sidicks

25,218 posts

244 months

Sunday 8th February 2015
quotequote all
GT3-RS said:
A question to those owners who have spec'd the Centre lock wheels on their 911 (as I'm about to put a deposit on a new Targa 4 GTS).....Tyres?....how or who do you get to fit them due to the fact that you need a 6' long Torque wrench to tighten to 690n/m I'm thinking your local tyre fitters not having one so are tyre choice and fitment back to OPC? cause that sounds like a PITA and Expense....I'm thinking as nice as centre locks are should I stick with 5 Stud hubs as tyre choice and fitment would be simpler and I'd get a better choice of after market wheel if I so wished....I'm thinking a set of 20" Porsche Fuchs....nice.....thanks for your input
If you're going to be buying a new Porsche, presumably you'll be having it serviced at your local dealer? I'd therefore be happy to order the centre-locks with the knowledge that new tyres can easily be sorted when the car is in for a service!

In my experience, most OPCs will price match for tyres (or get reasonably close) so that in the scheme of things this shouldn't be an issue.

mhh

1,567 posts

265 months

Sunday 8th February 2015
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^ I agree.

GT3-RS

Original Poster:

1,085 posts

242 months

Sunday 8th February 2015
quotequote all
I like the look of the centre locks...nice but I think for practicality it's going to be 5 Studs as this is going to be my (almost) everyday practical car I got the RS for tearing up...LOL

this does exist by the way



think it's about $500 or there about used with the nut tool (690n/m = 508ft/lbs)

BMCG

484 posts

159 months

Sunday 8th February 2015
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have a foot in both camps....7.2 RS with and 991 Turbo S without......

Insisted the Turbo S did NOT come with them....center locks aare for marketing victims...I see zero functional advantage...


To illustrate....on the turbo s took 30 minutes to swap from summers to winters....basic tools....very straightforward.

Don't get me started din the Effing around with greases...600 lb ft torque wrenches ..etc..etc...for centres....


GT3-RS

Original Poster:

1,085 posts

242 months

Sunday 8th February 2015
quotequote all
pretty much as I thought......5 Studs it is....thanks eveyone

Koln-RS

4,089 posts

235 months

Sunday 8th February 2015
quotequote all
Centre locks look gorgeous and must save some unsprung weight and inertia.

Unless you are going to be removing your wheels regularly, then C/L would be my choice.

HokumPokum

2,082 posts

228 months

Sunday 8th February 2015
quotequote all
centre locks are stupid......
if you have a puncture..... god help u.........

sidicks

25,218 posts

244 months

Sunday 8th February 2015
quotequote all
GT3-RS said:
pretty much as I thought......5 Studs it is....thanks eveyone
I think you had already made up your mind - the feedback was almost 50:50 and the issues identified can't have been ones you weren't already aware of...!

Anyway - your car, your choice!
biggrin

Slippydiff

16,024 posts

246 months

Sunday 8th February 2015
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Koln-RS said:
Centre locks look gorgeous and must save some unsprung weight and inertia.
Indeed, most of which is negated by having a 600 ft lb torque wrench in the car........ smile



KEVS500

86 posts

257 months

Sunday 8th February 2015
quotequote all
IMHO you're missing the point. Centre locks go with wide body and powerkit to define what is a 911 GTS - come resale time you might regret not spec. ing them.

s2000db

1,355 posts

176 months

Sunday 8th February 2015
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Centre locks every time.... They're gorgeous!

GT3-RS

Original Poster:

1,085 posts

242 months

Sunday 8th February 2015
quotequote all
Hang on a minute....look what I've found....hmmmm....



Spanner in the Works maybe?

BMCG

484 posts

159 months

Monday 9th February 2015
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HokumPokum said:
centre locks are stupid......
if you have a puncture..... god help u.........
+1000 yup....

Geneve

3,999 posts

242 months

Monday 9th February 2015
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On a Targa it's just personal choice, but on the more sporting models, I think they're a nice touch, especially with pccbs.

If you have a puncture you've got a problem either way - as there's no spare and finding a matching 'N' spec tyre will take time. You use the sealant supplied to get you home, or Porsche Assist to get you to your Porsche dealer or tyre specialist.

Pugley

687 posts

215 months

Monday 9th February 2015
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Centre locks were initially used to hold the wheels on old classic cars and were beaten on with a soft mallet. The idea was discontinued after several fatal accidents and a more robust method using studs/bolts was developed. This amazing idea took into account that a single component failure of a fixing would not result in the wheel coming off!

Later on the racing world developed them by means of multiple pit crews and power tools as a way of shaving time off a pit stop. Many race cars have crashed as a result of a wheel coming off due to fitting error or component failure!

We have come full circle and they are now being fitted to road cars again purely as a fashion accessory..................... Until the idea is discontinued after several fatal accidents.

What is the effffing point?

You can lead a horse to water!

GregorFuk

578 posts

223 months

Monday 9th February 2015
quotequote all
Not a lot of people mention this, but probably should. And I could be wrong. But....

I believe that center lock hubs are service items. i.e, Porsche stipulate that they need to be replaced after so many miles / years (the actual values escape me). This sounds expensive to me and is something worth bearing in mind. Couple this with all the other inconveniences they cause and they sound like a royal pain in the butt to me.