Advice On Alloys Please...

[Crumb]

Alright all.

I bought some 17" alloys from eBay which were described as coming off an MR2, and fair enough when I picked them up there was a little blue Mk2 there with shiny new chrome (bleughhh) rims.

Anyway, took the rims to get tyres (ouch, quality does cost) and upon fitting, the chaps at the tyre place (Fast Fit BTW, nice people) said I need a spiggot to get the hub to sit snuggly into the back of the alloy. If not fitted the wheelnuts would gradually work themselves loose and I'd ruin my bearings.

Now after lots of searching in Dunstable, Milton Keynes, Wellingborough and Rushden, no-one could help as they could not identify the wheel. It is a common 5-spoke design that at some point has had Team Dynamics centre caps fitted. This contradicts the 'made in Italy' stamp on the back though. Incidentally, most of the other people I spoke to on my travels said that it wasn't too big a deal and the most that would happen is a bit of vibration.

Does anyone have any experience with this sort of thing, that can set me straight on potential damage or how I could get hold of these spiggots without knowing the wheel brand?

Failing that, does anyone have a lathe?

Thanks for your time in reading this!

Crumb. :)

[Bibbs]

I've got a set of rims and never used the spigot rings .. it's "preferable" but not essential.

[Crumb]

I've got a set of rims and never used the spigot rings .. it's "preferable" but not essential.

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Cheers

I've been hearing that a lot TBH, what worries me is that it was the mechanic (no interest in selling me them as they do don't them) who was most adamant about getiing them. He looked very upset when I came back empty handed and asked him to put them on anyway.

[jaxx]

go to an alloy wheel specialist

the bore in the rim is a generic size and then the ring has the specific bore to match your car

[Heathy]

Ive just changed my alloys from standard toyota to 17's (new with tyres and balanced) it drove perfect with the toyotas on but when I put the 17's on the car is all over the road above about 40mph. I phoned the shop they are from and they said it is because it has the wrong spiggot rings so the wheels won't be dead centre on the hub. Could this be the problem?

[Crumb]

go to an alloy wheel specialist

the bore in the rim is a generic size and then the ring has the specific bore to match your car

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You'd think wouldn't you????

I mean, measure the wheels, measure the hub - spiggot = the difference. All I got from four seperate 'specialists' was "(sharp intake of breath, ooh without knowing the brand of rim it's impossible to know what'll fit'

[Crumb]

Ive just changed my alloys from standard toyota to 17's (new with tyres and balanced) it drove perfect with the toyotas on but when I put the 17's on the car is all over the road above about 40mph. I phoned the shop they are from and they said it is because it has the wrong spiggot rings so the wheels won't be dead centre on the hub. Could this be the problem?

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Your problem or mine? ;)

I've done the same, changed from the standard 15's to 17's. I have been running about in it all day today without any spiggot rings on, and apart from paranoia that I was going to see one of my wheels go past, it wasn't too bad.

It was bumpier as you'd expect with lacky bands for tyres, and there was a vibration through the steering when I was at about 80mph. I do want to get the rings if possible - if only to eliminate the vibes and give me peace of mind.

Heathy, did you put the wheels on yourself? Only without the rings you have to be dead careful to try and get them as central as possible. Whilst holding the wheel over the hub, put on two nuts that are opposite each other and tighten. Do the rest and tighten as much as possible whilst the wheel is still in the air. Other than that (and that seems unlikely TBH) I can't imagine why you'd have trouble at 40mph.

If you bought yours new, go back to the shop as they should have sold you the correct spigot for an MR2 with the alloys.

[Crumb]

I have found this seller on eBay that goes by size, so hopefully they should be able to sort me out. Local for me too, so if all else fails I'll drive over there and show them the wheels.

Clicky

B)

Thanks to everyone for the replies, I'll keep you posted. :)

[jaxx]

go to an alloy wheel specialist

the bore in the rim is a generic size and then the ring has the specific bore to match your car

←

You'd think wouldn't you????

I mean, measure the wheels, measure the hub - spiggot = the difference. All I got from four seperate 'specialists' was "(sharp intake of breath, ooh without knowing the brand of rim it's impossible to know what'll fit'

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oddness

i bought some rims for my yaris off fleabay and they came without the rings

so i went to the local alloy shop and basically said 'have you got some spigot rings for a yaris'

they said 'metal or plastic ones'

never mentioned the type of wheel etc.. so i assume its just a common size?

[Heathy]

Sorry I mean could the missing spiggot rings be the reason the car is all over the road? The shop said they are going to send me new spiggot rings but the silver coating on the wheels is starting to come off, ive sent pics to the shop and they have forwarded to tsw just waiting for a reply now to see if they will change them. Yea I got them in the centre as the bolts ave obviousley cone shaped so help to line it up.

Hope you find the rings, I wouldnt use it for too long without because that must put a lot of pressure on the wheel nuts and bolts.

[cfc1]

I've got a set of rims and never used the spigot rings .. it's "preferable" but not essential.

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I'm sorry, but they ARE essential.. without the centralising rings (spigot rings) there is no support whatsoever from the hub, and the full weight of the car is on the wheel nuts/studs, they are NOT designed to take this kind of stress.

I've got a set of rims and never used the spigot rings .. it's "preferable" but not essential.

←

Cheers

I've been hearing that a lot TBH, what worries me is that it was the mechanic (no interest in selling me them as they do don't them) who was most adamant about getiing them. He looked very upset when I came back empty handed and asked him to put them on anyway.

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I wouldn't have fitted them to a costomers car.. if anything goes wrong, the garage can be held liable.. so at my work it's a no no.

go to an alloy wheel specialist

the bore in the rim is a generic size and then the ring has the specific bore to match your car

←

Correct.. this is why centralising rings are supplied with aftermarket alloys. If they weren't a requirement, do you think they would supply them??

Ive just changed my alloys from standard toyota to 17's (new with tyres and balanced) it drove perfect with the toyotas on but when I put the 17's on the car is all over the road above about 40mph. I phoned the shop they are from and they said it is because it has the wrong spiggot rings so the wheels won't be dead centre on the hub. Could this be the problem?

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It probably will be the problem.. at work, this is a very common occurrance(sp), once the rings are fitted.. problem is solved 9/10.

go to an alloy wheel specialist

the bore in the rim is a generic size and then the ring has the specific bore to match your car

←

You'd think wouldn't you????

I mean, measure the wheels, measure the hub - spiggot = the difference. All I got from four seperate 'specialists' was "(sharp intake of breath, ooh without knowing the brand of rim it's impossible to know what'll fit'

←

oddness

i bought some rims for my yaris off fleabay and they came without the rings

so i went to the local alloy shop and basically said 'have you got some spigot rings for a yaris'

they said 'metal or plastic ones'

never mentioned the type of wheel etc.. so i assume its just a common size?

←

Well.. you need to know the make of wheel and the make of car to get the correct rings.. if they have a large selection in stock, they could try trial and error method It's best to go to an alloy wheel specialist who deals with varies different makes of wheel.. more chance that they will recognise what you have.. and more chance they will stock/can get the rings you need.

Sorry for all the quotes folks.. hope my advice heps you out.. i deal with these sort of problems every day.

[Crumb]

A lot of wise words there, thanks again for the advice.

I have noticed that the nuts are loosening (I'm checking them any time I have to use it), so all unessential trips are off until I can get to the place in Leighton Buzzard on Tuesday.

[cfc1]

Studs have been known to break too... check them for cracks when your tightnening them up.