18" RL7's Advice please
Discussion
I have been offered a set of 18" RL7's to replace my standard 16" wheels. I know there has been problems with them cracking, but understand it may not be all of them that are affected. One of these RL7's have been repaired but done properly. What are people's experience of the 18" and the associated problems. Basically should I buy or run a mile ??
which did give them a hard time. Its nice to see a Cerb with original looking wheels IMO anyway never really liked the spiders on a cerb again just my opinion.I'm running a set now. I checked with Neill Anderson re- the actual facts of the situation and he told me that it was only one actual batch that suffered any issues.
The wheels are just like any other part of the car. Regular checking is just common sense - whether it's RL7's, 17", 18", spiders or whatever. Works for me.
The wheels are just like any other part of the car. Regular checking is just common sense - whether it's RL7's, 17", 18", spiders or whatever. Works for me.
RL7's were not subject to a batch problem. The manufacturer was routinely "recycling" wheels by melting down finished scrap wheels. The paint and other impurities affected the structural integrity of the wheels. 18" wheels were more widely affected because they faced larger loads due to the lower profile tyres. 17" wheels (on earlier cars especially) had very few problems also because the "recycling" practice was only adopted later in the company's life, coincidentally (
)on the run up to it going into liquidation.
)on the run up to it going into liquidation.Full SP said:
RL7's were not subject to a batch problem. The manufacturer was routinely "recycling" wheels by melting down finished scrap wheels. The paint and other impurities affected the structural integrity of the wheels. 18" wheels were more widely affected because they faced larger loads due to the lower profile tyres. 17" wheels (on earlier cars especially) had very few problems also because the "recycling" practice was only adopted later in the company's life, coincidentally ()on the run up to it going into liquidation.
)on the run up to it going into liquidation.Interesting to know cheers, helps the understanding a bit
Full SP said:
RL7's were not subject to a batch problem. The manufacturer was routinely "recycling" wheels by melting down finished scrap wheels. The paint and other impurities affected the structural integrity of the wheels. 18" wheels were more widely affected because they faced larger loads due to the lower profile tyres. 17" wheels (on earlier cars especially) had very few problems also because the "recycling" practice was only adopted later in the company's life, coincidentally ()on the run up to it going into liquidation.
)on the run up to it going into liquidation.I was told that the problem existed on wheels manufactured before date X, not after, so that doesn't really tally.
[quote=daver
I was told that the problem existed on wheels manufactured before date X, not after, so that doesn't really tally.[/quote]
By whom? I saw the results of the metallurgical examination of the failed wheels. I was pretty close to the action at the time and I was not aware of any "cut-off" date for this problem. It wouldn't be the first time however that TVR had claimed to have dealt with a problem when in fact they had simply buried their head in the sand. Lies, damn lies and "that only affects TVR's before date x..."
I was told that the problem existed on wheels manufactured before date X, not after, so that doesn't really tally.[/quote]
By whom? I saw the results of the metallurgical examination of the failed wheels. I was pretty close to the action at the time and I was not aware of any "cut-off" date for this problem. It wouldn't be the first time however that TVR had claimed to have dealt with a problem when in fact they had simply buried their head in the sand. Lies, damn lies and "that only affects TVR's before date x..."
Full SP said:
[quote=daver
I was told that the problem existed on wheels manufactured before date X, not after, so that doesn't really tally.
I was told that the problem existed on wheels manufactured before date X, not after, so that doesn't really tally.
By whom? I saw the results of the metallurgical examination of the failed wheels. I was pretty close to the action at the time and I was not aware of any "cut-off" date for this problem. It wouldn't be the first time however that TVR had claimed to have dealt with a problem when in fact they had simply buried their head in the sand. Lies, damn lies and "that only affects TVR's before date x..."
[/quote] Many thanks for all your comments. Where on the wheels did the cracks happen??
Can anyone who suffored from the 18's cracking please state if they were mainly fronts or rears?
I am interested to find out as much as I can, as the way I would like to go is
18 rears and 17 fronts, not sure if this is viable but I'd like to find out any handling advantages.
can anyone currently running either 17 or 18 please post what size tyres you are currently running and also waht year you car is.
I don't know if the 'mods' needed for spiders on an earlier 4.2 are neccesary when using RL7's for 18 inch rears.
NB if the above can be done I'd like to use toyo r888, I have all the rolling diameter info and revolutions per mile and such if anyone needs it. www.toyo.co.uk
I am interested to find out as much as I can, as the way I would like to go is
18 rears and 17 fronts, not sure if this is viable but I'd like to find out any handling advantages.
can anyone currently running either 17 or 18 please post what size tyres you are currently running and also waht year you car is.
I don't know if the 'mods' needed for spiders on an earlier 4.2 are neccesary when using RL7's for 18 inch rears.
NB if the above can be done I'd like to use toyo r888, I have all the rolling diameter info and revolutions per mile and such if anyone needs it. www.toyo.co.uk
225x35/18 fronts and 255x35/18 rears.
Yes, you can run 17" (235x40/18) fronts with 18" rears. I did for a while. Handling-wise, I don't think it makes a great deal of difference though. Certainly not as much as different spring rates, damper settings or tyre pressures make
No mods required with 18" RL7s as, like SP's wheels, the widths and offsets employed actually fit the car without bastardising various bits of it - unlike spiders!
Yes, you can run 17" (235x40/18) fronts with 18" rears. I did for a while. Handling-wise, I don't think it makes a great deal of difference though. Certainly not as much as different spring rates, damper settings or tyre pressures make
No mods required with 18" RL7s as, like SP's wheels, the widths and offsets employed actually fit the car without bastardising various bits of it - unlike spiders!
I had cracking on the front and rear on my RL7 18s. CAused 2 high speed blow outs ! Tyre fitters didint notice the cracking so I just thought was a nail or something until it happened again later that week on a different trye. As I parked on shingle with 35 profile I didnt notice the tyres were suddenly losing pressure.
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