So, just a dumb question, how strong are the standard steelies, would the put up with sideways corners and doughnuts etc without to much trouble, or is warping a factor that will easily put them out of commision?

surely steels are stronger than alloys arent they ,
aluminium is a softer metal than steel and as most steel wheels dont have any shapes cut out of them they should be inherently stronger
( by the way I failed my science 'O' level )

My first two had steel wheels and seemed to be fine

I've been running mine sideways for 5 years (on the same set, as I'm a cheap skate and have swapped the tyres over when I swap cars ) So yeah, steels should be ok. I'm with Mick, the material itself is stronger, and a lot of the thin alloy designs are weak.

'Normal' alloys are about the same strength, as they're a lot thicker. Very expensive alloys are both stronger and lighter...but that can't be said for any of the stock Volvo rims!

cheers

James

thanks chaps. Well it looks like that may be the first option

steel rims have a lower yielding point, but they just bend a bit if it is passed. to fail totally, massive forces are required.

Alloy wheels usually take more of a beating before they give way, but fail totally, and instantly. The "Crack" comes later but its fast and final.

greetings Wouter

PS Volvo did some extensive testing on this in Helmond.

There was chapter in Auto Bild magazine recently about quality of cheap alloys and one wheel cracked in stress test even it had TUV certificate, problem was that manufacturer had used different grade alloy to production line or there was something in alloy that should not been there eg. dirt, rocks or something like that.

One wheels that I have dreamed are nice, only 2,9kg each, guess how much they do cost?
In US set $1200+
17" version has known to be sold around 1600£ new set, approx 1000£ used in UK and that wheel has around $200 less price per new wheel in US.

Of course I would get them in 14", I have not found any reason to get bigger, wider and lower profile than stock 14" naturally to make it grip, but if speedo looks wrong, it is minor thing.

I like your homemade R-sport rims. They're originally from a 440 or 480 turbo are they not?

foggyjames wrote:'Normal' alloys are about the same strength, as they're a lot thicker. cheers James

what about the design on some , couldent thin spokes be a potential weak point if subjected to "unusual " sideways pressure such as when drifting ?

Yeh late 480 turbo wheels!!!
Adam

Yeah, you are right Mick, there are a fair few designs (especially the larger sizes) that end up being weaker than steels

Note how much thicker (front to back) alloy spokes tend to be. I agree that uber-skinny 5-spokes must be a problem area - although rubbish hefty ones are probably weaker.

cheers

James

TBH I wouldn't really worry about the strength of alloys, i'm pretty sure other things are going to fail in drifting before those!

nice wheels