Author Topic: OEM Steel Wheels and fully welding the centers...  (Read 10429 times)

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Offline SteveM

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OEM Steel Wheels and fully welding the centers...
« on: February 20, 2014, 04:04:30 PM »
OK - I am hoping to put my mind at ease regarding the use of OEM steel wheels at speeds of less than 150 mph in officially sanctioned SCTA competition.

Rule 2G lays out all the requirements for wheels.  The way I have read and interpreted the rules are that fully welding the centers to the rim is only required for vehicles over 200MPH.  The way that the paragraphs are laid out might leave a little room for interpretation/mis-interpretation, however.

I am using OEM Toyota "steelies" on my Rampage.  No additional welding has been done between the centers and the rims (only what was done at the factory).

I think I'm OK (the record in H/DT is about 106 mph), but would appreciate your feedback, before going directly to SCTA with this question. 

Steve

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Offline RichFox

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Re: OEM Steel Wheels and fully welding the centers...
« Reply #1 on: February 20, 2014, 06:14:04 PM »
I welded mine. Why not?

Offline Captthundarr

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Re: OEM Steel Wheels and fully welding the centers...
« Reply #2 on: February 20, 2014, 06:25:51 PM »
yea, why not?
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Re: OEM Steel Wheels and fully welding the centers...
« Reply #3 on: February 20, 2014, 06:49:19 PM »
Steve - I posed several questions to Mike Manghelli about his truck and one was about the wheels he runs.

What size wheels and tires do you use and are the wheels space savers?   15” wheels, they are VW space savers welded up.
With the speeds that he and Keith run, I think welded is satisfactory.

I'm going to do the same to the space savers that are going on my truck.

Gregg

Offline SteveM

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Re: OEM Steel Wheels and fully welding the centers...
« Reply #4 on: February 20, 2014, 10:33:57 PM »
At 200+, the rule book is clear that the centers must be fully welded.

At 106-ish mph, I'm trying to determine if the rule 2G requires full welding.
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Offline SPARKY

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Re: OEM Steel Wheels and fully welding the centers...
« Reply #5 on: February 20, 2014, 10:41:34 PM »
its no big deal just weld all of the center back side be fore you mount the tires.  any type of welding
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Offline SteveM

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Re: OEM Steel Wheels and fully welding the centers...
« Reply #6 on: February 20, 2014, 11:19:46 PM »
Tires are mounted and balanced. I can dismount and weld if necessary.  Right now I'm trying to determine if it's required per the rule book.
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Offline Tman

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Re: OEM Steel Wheels and fully welding the centers...
« Reply #7 on: February 21, 2014, 09:55:42 AM »
Weld em.

Offline Ron Gibson

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Re: OEM Steel Wheels and fully welding the centers...
« Reply #8 on: February 21, 2014, 10:04:11 AM »
As long as all you're welding is the centers, I wouldn't even dismount. Just let the air out and weld. There is no way the rims will get hot enough to damage the beads. Welding dzus tabs would be a different matter.

YMMV
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Offline SteveM

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Re: OEM Steel Wheels and fully welding the centers...
« Reply #9 on: February 21, 2014, 10:09:54 AM »
I appreciate all of the feedback, but the question I'm trying to find an answer to is whether rule 2G REQUIRES fully welded centers for classes where the record is less than 200, diameters less than 29" overall, and wheels smaller or equal to 17".

The way that the paragraphs are structured and noted with a - (dash) is that the requirement for 1" lug nuts, 1/2" diameter studs, and "welding the entire area of attachment between the rim and the center section" seems to apply only to vehicles in classes over 200 mph, tire diameters of 29" or greater, or with wheels over 17" diameter.

I did weld the Dzus tabs while the wheels were "naked".  It's possible that I could weld the wheel centers without dismounting, especially if I take my time.

I'm not trying to seem like an ass, but trying to ask a question that is specific to the interpretation of the rulebook, not a question like "Should I weld the centers on OEM steel wheels".   Not trying to cause any flap, just trying to clearly understand the rule.

Thanks,

Steve.
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Offline Milwaukee Midget

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Re: OEM Steel Wheels and fully welding the centers...
« Reply #10 on: February 21, 2014, 10:37:58 AM »
"Vehicles with tires having a diameter of 29 in. or greater, or with wheels over 17 in. in diameter shall use
a wheel manufactured for racing or reinforced as below:

Wheels shall be attached with at least 5 studs with a minimum diameter of ½ in. and 1 in. lug nuts. In
either of the previous cases*, wheels shall be manufactured for racing purposes or reinforced as follows;
REINFORCEMENT SHALL BE DONE by welding the entire area of attachment between the rim and the
center section on either the inside or outside of the wheel."

Steve -

* previous cases are -


Are your wheels 17" or larger?
Are your tires larger than 29" diameter?

You're legal.

I'd weld 'em up to be safe, but you're legal.

I'm legal to run MG "Rostyle" wheels on a 121.779 record, but can't find a "U" rated 13" tire that isn't 7" wide.

"Problems are almost always a sign of progress."  Harold Bettes
Well, I guess we're making a LOT of progress . . .  :roll:

Offline JimL

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Re: OEM Steel Wheels and fully welding the centers...
« Reply #11 on: February 21, 2014, 03:28:57 PM »
Do not weld them with the tires mounted.  Most are powder coated and the paint will burn off, dropping little flaming chunks into sidewall.  Lousy gamble.

Offline WhizzbangK.C.

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Re: OEM Steel Wheels and fully welding the centers...
« Reply #12 on: February 22, 2014, 12:56:42 PM »
NEVER, EVER, WELD A WHEEL WITH THE TIRE MOUNTED.   :-o

Everyone, please watch this video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNZ4siYGkag

Think about it.
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Offline overdue

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Re: OEM Steel Wheels and fully welding the centers...
« Reply #13 on: March 30, 2014, 05:57:15 PM »

I'm legal to run MG "Rostyle" wheels on a 121.779 record, but can't find a "U" rated 13" tire that isn't 7" wide.



Off-topic, but the question got answered, so what's wrong with 7"-wide tires?
I guess you're referring to the Toyo Proxes R888 185/60VR13?

Offline Milwaukee Midget

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Re: OEM Steel Wheels and fully welding the centers...
« Reply #14 on: March 30, 2014, 07:03:11 PM »

I'm legal to run MG "Rostyle" wheels on a 121.779 record, but can't find a "U" rated 13" tire that isn't 7" wide.



Off-topic, but the question got answered, so what's wrong with 7"-wide tires?
I guess you're referring to the Toyo Proxes R888 185/60VR13?

Too much rolling resistance for a horsepower challenged car and I need more room in the wheel wells to slam the front end.

I was originally looking at the Hoosier Vintage Racing A-70 13 - same story.
"Problems are almost always a sign of progress."  Harold Bettes
Well, I guess we're making a LOT of progress . . .  :roll: