Cracked alloy

[Maddusty]

Hi all, has anyone had any problems with cracked alloys? Had new tyres fitted and tyre pressure was fine for a few weeks until the heavy snow, and noticed tyre was flat when I returned from my holiday just after the snow
long story short one alloy had 3 hairline cracks and one was big enough to let air out after one day. Tyre fitter said was probably from sitting in snow for a week that made the cracks worse. Anyone heard of this before?60 quid later and alloy was tig welded and balanced.

 

[Redline]

Unlikely to be the snow itself, but, any water that gets into the crack and then freezes will expand. That might just be enough to open it up a fraction.

 

[Pingu]

My E46 failed an MOT at BMW for one. I told him "Well spotted". I was a bit concerned when he told me it's common with low profiles on 18" and over, so they give them all a very close check.

 

[t-tony]

And just so you know, after May 20th. this year welded wheels will not be allowed on the M.O.T. test. IF you have one repaired you will need to have an invisible repair carried out.

Tony.

 

[DaveP]

Does that only apply to alloys Tony? I ‘might’ have banded steels which you cannot see the welds on, if I had them, when the tyres are in place.

Dave

 

[t-tony]

A far as I'm aware welded Steel wheels are different in that they have welded construction in the first instance. A cracked weld would still be an issue, but it's not the same as an alloy wheel which has cracked through the tyre bead.

Tony.

 

[bessieblue]

whats an invisible repair Tony ?

 

[t-tony]

whats an invisible repair Tony ?

One where a tester cannot see that a wheel has been repaired mate. Crack in the alloy well veed out then the weld ground down and sanded smooth. Finally painted/powder coated so it looks as good as new.
I've seen wheels where someone has just welded straight on top of the crack, this is useless because the crack will open up through the weld in no time, obviously easily seen by a tester. My personal view is that this is over the top IF the repair is done properly, but, the only way to police it really is to ban all repairs.

Tony.

 

[bessieblue]

so are all repairs to alloys wrong , but if you cant see the weld it will pass

 

[Redline]

so are all repairs to alloys wrong , but if you cant see the weld it will pass

If its welded within the body of the wheel, its strength while not 100% will be good. You need to weld on to a large amount of metal.
Aluminium welding requires argon gas I believe - that stops immediate oxidisation of the metal as the weld is made - or that was the case when I last welded aluminium 35 years ago (ouch).

Welding over a crack is simply a bridge over the crack. As Tony said, that will move, bend and be stressed from the stresses in the wheel. That will crack it in no time at all. In addition, the additional metal will significantly alter the balance of the wheel.

 

[t-tony]

That's about the gist of it Pete. You can only test what you can see.

Tony.

ps. The new Tester's manual hasnt been finalised as yet but it won't be long because it will come into effect on the 20th. May.

 

[bessieblue]

is this regulation from Europe & if so will they change when Brexit comes in

 

[t-tony]

No, it won't alter after Brexit.

Tony.

 

[Pingu]

And just so you know, after May 20th. this year welded wheels will not be allowed on the M.O.T. test. IF you have one repaired you will need to have an invisible repair carried out.

Tony.

I may just need to get my car tested before then and try and source a 2nd hand wheel with a totally unknown history.

 

[Maddusty]

Unlikely to be the snow itself, but, any water that gets into the crack and then freezes will expand. That might just be enough to open it up a fraction.

Well the snow we had in Ireland was 3-4 foot deep and the drifts were so bad the snow was up to the top of my window. The car was stuck for over a week in it. So basically it was frozen in solid.

 

[Maddusty]

And just so you know, after May 20th. this year welded wheels will not be allowed on the M.O.T. test. IF you have one repaired you will need to have an invisible repair carried out.

Tony.

Is that eu specific or just mot in UK? Will it be brought in over here in Ireland too with our nct test

 

[t-tony]

Will likely apply in the north but I can't say re the Republic.

Tony.

 

[Maddusty]

Will likely apply in the north but I can't say re the Republic.

Tony.

We are normally a bit behind the UK with certain things but it probably won't be long until it is in. Cheers tony

 

[Pingu]

@t-tony Are you aware of any repaired wheels breaking?

 

[t-tony]

No, none ever. That's why I think it's a bit OTT. I suppose an already weakened wheel is more susceptible to damage and could fail more easy than a none repaired one. Probably a CYA exercise.

Tony.