Cracked Fuch: Would you / wouldn't you?

[23e Heure]

I'm due to leave on a long road trip in 3 weeks time. About 2500 miles all in.

Everything is lined up great: my car is running sweet, as is the other RS in our mini convoy.

And now... I have discovered a crack in one of my rear 8x15s.

It is is losing no air / tyre pressure at all and - although you can catch your nail in it - the crack seems very "shallow".

Is it weld-able?
And do I have time to have it done? IE if welded does it need a full refurb again?

Our trip will be covered in magazine articles for at least 3 magazines - UK and international - and the car will be photographed quite a bit at its destination too...
So I really would like it running on the "right" wheels at the rear.

So opinions please:
- Would you Risk it?
- How big a risk is it anyway? Is a hairline crack parallel with rim less of a worry than on the spokes etc?

I can't afford to panic buy another ready refurbed wheel, not at current prices...

[Ferry Man]

I honestly would not mess with your safety. Don't drive on it. I got a small crack in a 9" Fuchs (it began to split at the petal). I promptly retired it and bought a new wheel at great expense. The old wheel is cast aside in my garage.
You know what folk are going to tell you. That wheel has had too much metal machined off. Chuck it away.

[Gary71]

I guess the rim has ended up thin from being machined during refurbishment. I guess it could be welded but I'd be worried that rim would just crack again elsewhere. If it's not losing air I'd be tempted to carry on, but watch it like a hawk. Mark the ends of the crack and watch for growth.

Having said that worrying about a rim will take the edge of a good road trip so maybe it's time to bite the bullet and invest.

[Lightweight_911]

I wouldn't drive on it & I wouldn't get it welded either ...

Fit the Minilites &, if you've got the room (between you), take the 8in Fuchs just for the photo session when you get to Sicily (?).

[Winston Teague]

You know deep down that you can't drive on it. The least bad failure is deflation. Sods law says that it will happen in some sh*thole, along way from home, in the rain and the dark. If the pictures are that important, DHL the correct wheels to your destination. IMHO.
W

[yoda]

James - Are you serious? Buy another wheel and be done with it. Or worst case borrow one for the trip. It can't be potentially worth risking life, limb, your passenger, your car etc for the sake of £1000!!

[911hillclimber]

Places doubt on the others too if they have all been machined, maybe more than once in their lives.

You have to change it and examine all the others too.

If welded the anodising will always show a scar over the weld, so it will never be right.

[hot66]

it would only need one big italian pothole at speed and that crack could suddenly get more dramatic

I know when i discovered some cracks around the petals on my orginal fuchs I wasn't happy keeping them on the car

[23e Heure]

Posting on the DDK is often used as a form of group therapy and self reflection.

Yes, I know that some but not all responses will be "DON'T RISK IT!". But I guess I just needed to share the dilemma with the group brain, and vent a little.
I only just paid an (unexpectedly) large invoice prepping the car for this trip, and the thought of having to shell out for a wheel at short notice made me feel a little...



Gary's response is closest to where my head was and still is at:
The wheel would probably be OK for the trip, BUT I'd spend the whole time worrying about it, which would spoil the enjoyment of the whole event.

So now I have 2 and a half weeks to source a suitable replacement.

It will all work out in time... it has to!

[Gary71]

I also have a cracked wheel so I'm just (incorrectly) trying to make myself feel better!

I'm off to post a wanted ad...

[FLY 7]

Where's the best place to get a replacement Fuchs?

I need an original 16x8 - new or excellent used

[Nick Moss]

Where's the best place to get a replacement Fuchs?

I need an original 16x8 - new or excellent used

Porsche

[23e Heure]

Porsche

Do they do 15 inch new too? In which finishes? I have googled and can find very little... Got any links to prices / options / etc, Nick?

[Nick Moss]

The 8 x 15 from Porsche is 911 361 020 42, which will come with a black centre and plain anodised finish. You need to call your local dealer to get availability.

[impmad2000]

I hate to say, but if 1 is cracked, and they have all been re-furbished, what state are the other 3 ?
If this is because they have been machined back, is there any measurements that can be taken ?