Wheel strength

[Randy'65]

I'm trying to decide on new rims, going with 17". I had my heart set on getting a st of AR torq thrust II's, but I was recently talking to anolder gentleman with a sweet '68 that was didn't speak highly of them, saying they are Mexican castings and you never know what you are going to get as far as strength and irregularities. That got me to thinking about wheel strength with these and other manufacturers. How do the TT II's compare strength wise to the Vintage Wheelworks, and the '99-'04 Bullit wheels? I'm not building an all out race car, but would like something safe on track days. Any advice? Any other manufacturer alternatives to the 5 spoke type rims?

 

[iskwezm]

I think the older gentlemen is full of crap.I've had mine for about 14 years and they used to see a lot of track use and never had a issue.Ive had Centerline billet wheels leak at the weld, big dea, things happenl.My buddy had Welds that cracked. Theres always a % of failure with everything, he might have been the unlucky one.

 

[Randy'65]

It could have been more of a commentary on shipping manufacturing out of country for cost savings. I work for a plumbing contractor, and I know for flush valves (those silver things you look at when you take a leak), the major manufacturer has two basic lines, the cheaper line made south of the border which tends to have less quality control in the metalurgy, and the more expensive American made line.

Do you know where AR wheels are made now and 14 years ago? Manufacturers shift production lines all the time.

 

[dodgestang]

I have 6 TTiis.

Been all over the place with them.
Been down the drag strips with them.
Been under a tractor trailer with them.

The wheels have never given me any trouble.

 

[iskwezm]

Cant say i know where they're made now, but my buddies are only a couple of years old and his see a lot of street time and track time with no issues

 

[Az Pete]

They should have to meet DOT standards shouldn't they.......

 

[ForceFed70]

The only times I've EVER seen broken cast wheels was because of accidents (usually sliding into a curb). And in those cases, steel wheel wouldn't have broken, but they would have bent and been unuseable anyway.