Wheel Problem:Redux

[Haitian_King]

I had posted many moons ago about my dilemma with my wheels. They look like the BBS wheels, however, it says ELITE on the caps. The caps seem to have some sort of lock on it, but the Q came without a key for them. I believe that I'd be in quite the jam in event of a flat. This also poses a problem for when I want to remove these and have them replaced. I couldn't get a definitive answer before because my question was slightly vague and I didn't have a picture to give you all an idea. No amount of colorful and descriptive adjectives helped. But the magic of photography has aided me in giving you guys a visual of my "problem"

I apologize for the presence of brake dust, but I had snapped this pic before a wash. Please don't judge me too harshly. My ego couldn't take it.

[maxnix]

Most definitely not BBS.

[Haitian_King]

Yeah,

I thought as much. I've seen another Q45 with the same wheels and the ELITE caps. Was this a dealer option? I do prefer it to the piepans though.

Any suggestions on what to do about the cap locks?

[Q45tech]

Never buy wheels without a lip for clip on weights if performance and vibration free driving is any concern!

Because perfection often requires a finer resolution than stick on weights and the glue - stick on adhesive won't stick to dirty used wheels.

[elwesso]

does the wheel lock screw look sorta like this?



If so, its a tamper proof torx head, I had these wheel locks on my old OZ/MSW wheels.

You can buy a set that will unlock the wheels at sears for like $15.. its a specialty driver set and Ive found it very handy.

[Haitian_King]

What?

I didn't catch that Tech. Sorry. What did you mean about weights and performance? These are the wheels that the car came with. (When I purchased it.) I haven't changed anything on them other than the amount of dirt on them at various periods and the brilliancy of the wheel once it's free of brakedust.

does the wheel lock screw look sorta like this?



If so, its a tamper proof torx head, I had these wheel locks on my old OZ/MSW wheels.

You can buy a set that will unlock the wheels at sears for like $15.. its a specialty driver set and Ive found it very handy.

Thanks Wes. I'll hit Sears when it comes time to get the caps off. I'm not in a rush.

[maxnix]

What? I'll hit Sears when it comes time to get the caps off. I'm not in a rush.

You will be when you have a flat!

[T45]

Never buy wheels without a lip for clip on weights if performance and vibration free driving is any concern!

Because perfection often requires a finer resolution than stick on weights and the glue - stick on adhesive won't stick to dirty used wheels.

This is somewhat true but more vibrations are caused by the tire itself, not the rim or balancing. Granted dynamic balancing is much more accurate than static but with a good tire mechanic, a hunter road force balancer and some good quality tires a smooth ride can be obtained whether the weights are clamp on or stickies.

A brick can be perfectly balanced on a tire machine with stick on weights, but that doesn't mean it will roll down the road good.

[Haitian_King]

True. I should probably get that wrench sooner. This weekend it is then.

[Soulpwr]

All you need to get that off is a flat head screwdriver. We do it all the time at the Stealership. Stick the screwdriver into the recessed part and turn. It shouldnt be much more than hand tight.

[Q45tech]

We see lots of those inexpensive heavy [BBS knockoffs] wheels on old Q they bend on the inside and get seriously out of round.Test and make sure they meet oem specs for lateral and radial runout and balance errors then worry about tires!

[Haitian_King]

I'm scrapping these things soon My rear tires are balding.

[Q45tech]

The problem is brand new fancy rims may be worse than 15 year old ugly oem wheels especially as the size goes up.

Easy to make a good light 15" - hard to make a mediocre heavy 20".

Even oem wheels since 1997 don't meet oem specs after a few miles.