Flipping to steelies

[radiodanno]

Hey!

Just wondered if anyone here has flipped from having OEM alloys on their car to steel wheels.

All four wheels on my wife's Focus need refurbishing - they look awful. The problem is whilst she's a brilliant mother and tremendous lover, parking is not her forté.

I'm considering flipping to steels and genuine ford hubcaps.

Anyone got experiences of doing the same? Most importantly, anyone recommend a good place to get some 16" steels? Failing that, a good driving school suggestion would be appreciated.

(!)

[Petrol Only]

No help with th steelies. I'd be interested too. But don't bother with the hubcaps. She will only scrape/knock them off to.

[KarlMac]

Ebay, thousands of sets on there.

[RicksAlfas]

radiodanno said:

Anyone got experiences of doing the same?

My wife's winter wheels are steel. My experience is I remove the alloy wheels and fit the steel wheels. Hope that's a help.

[beach bum]

Big fan of steelies.

No hubcaps of course. They only add weight, look lousy, go missing etc.

They look cool, take more abuse (they bend, but dont crack like alloys).

They are also not heavier than most alloys, except Superleggera type wheels.

There is even a site about them.

http://blacksteelies.com/

[TooMany2cvs]

RicksAlfas said:

My experience is I remove the alloy wheels and fit the steel wheels.

You may well need different bolts/nuts - alloys usually have a different shape seat to steels, as well as being thicker.

[radiodanno]

RicksAlfas said:

radiodanno said:

Anyone got experiences of doing the same?

My wife's winter wheels are steel. My experience is I remove the alloy wheels and fit the steel wheels. Hope that's a help.

Touché

Sorry, the opening post was a typically hurried work post. I'm interested to know whether it's actually worthwhile by the time you've bought steels, paid to change your tyres over, had them balanced, sourced wheel trims over having a refurb of the alloys.

[Claudia Skies]

Often the problem is down to tyres rather than wheels. One solution is to fit tyres which "bulge" suitably out from the rims and ideally have a think rubber rim protection bar as well.

In other words - exactly the opposite of big shiny wheels with skinny tyres.

[MysteryLemon]

Just get on ebay and find a set of steel wheels from a lower spec model than your own.

[triggerh4ppy]

Also make sure if your downsizing (As steelies are only in <15/16 inch variants) make sure your brakes disks will fit inside them...

[shoestring7]

Try the local Ford dealer parts department. That's where I got a set of VW steelies for my golf; all of the commercial variants use steel wheels. Fitting wasn't a problem, and my insurance company had no problem with OE wheels.

SS7

[RicksAlfas]

TooMany2cvs said:

You may well need different bolts/nuts - alloys usually have a different shape seat to steels, as well as being thicker.

Yes, can be the case, but OK on the Golf.

[RicksAlfas]

OP, what about dropping down a diameter and so increasing the profile of the tyre?
This will give some more protection.

If you go for steel wheels, do a search for winter wheels. There will be loads about.
e.g. http://www.tyremen.co.uk/product/72055/16-steel-wi...

[Swanny87]

http://www.tyreleader.co.uk/steel-wheels/ford/focu...

[radiodanno]

Top Man Swanny.

But.

What's the difference between those two options on there. Everything seems the same apart from one is more expensive and has the word DEMO on it.

Weird.

Edited by radiodanno on Monday 19th January 18:29

[radiodanno]

Top Man Swanny.

But.

What's the difference between those two options on there. Everything seems the same apart from one is more expensive and has the word DEMO on it.

Weird.

Edited by radiodanno on Monday 19th January 18:29

[Cyberprog]

I have a set of Steel's and Nuts for a 2001 Focus here in Gloucestershire - if you want them you're welcome to them. They will need new rubber though.

[McWigglebum4th]

Advantages of a OEM alloy wheel over a OEM steel wheel on your average car


1 They are shiny


That is all i can think of as they aren't any lighter and they certainly aren't any more durable

[HertsBiker]

Ford steels are £29 from mytyres. I got some nice tyres at the same time. Much smoother, and better mpg too. Leans a bit more, but the comfort is so much better. Less likely to be nicked as well.