Anybody still widening wheels? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

t walgamuth · #1 03-01-2013, 03:24 PM

Does anybody know of a place that will still widen wheels?

I'd love to use the original 16" rims from the studebaker but they are only 4" wide and I cannot find a modern radial tire that will fit somehting so narrow.

Mölyapina · #2 03-01-2013, 07:09 PM

Weldcraft Wheels was mentioned by someone on a random Corvette forum that I clicked on -- I'm seeing that name come up a lot. Someone there said that they would widen a pair for $450 shipped. They are at 13111 Newburgh Road, Livonia, MI 48150. Here is a thread on another site with many different shops mentioned, including someone who does wire wheels. Would your machine shop know of anyone?

KarTek · #3 03-01-2013, 09:31 PM

These guys...

Stockton Wheel

t walgamuth · #4 03-01-2013, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jooseppi Luna

Weldcraft Wheels was mentioned by someone on a random Corvette forum that I clicked on -- I'm seeing that name come up a lot. Someone there said that they would widen a pair for $450 shipped. They are at 13111 Newburgh Road, Livonia, MI 48150. Here is a thread on another site with many different shops mentioned, including someone who does wire wheels. Would your machine shop know of anyone?

450 a pair?

Yikes!

Mölyapina · #5 03-02-2013, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KarTek

These guys...

Stockton Wheel

Stockton Wheel was getting trashed in the second link that I provided...

Mölyapina · #6 03-02-2013, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

450 a pair?

Yikes!

That strikes me as the more expensive end... this guy was getting good reviews on that earlier link:

Tim Smith
Wheel Works
Burlington NJ
609 499 2233

This guy apparently does a lot of stuff for stock car racers:

Ackerson Wheels
3157 East Henrietta Rd.
Rochester, NY
(585) 334-4588

All right, so I found a Stockton Wheels thread. Here is a post from it -- this does not seem to be an unusual experience:

Quote:

I had to have them build me some wheels. Paid for them on the spot, paid extra for expedited fabrication, the told me they would positively be here by Jan. 20th for World of Wheels. No show. Called, they told me the order was screwed up and they would get them right out and pay for next day air. No show. Called again and spoke to a manager. Promises promises. No show. Called again and spoke to the "owner", promises, still no show. Called again and told they couldn't make my wheels. They said they couldn't do the offset with a disc wheel. I asked, "what are you talking about?" They guy tells me again they can't make them for a disc wheel. I said, "great, cause the car I'm working on has drums." Promises. No show. Called back again, "oh, they just went out" , "can I get a tracking number?" , "not right now, our computer is down, we'll call you tomorrow." No show. I called back the next day, "can I get that tracking number?" , "no, our computers are still down." I called back two days later, "can I get that tracking number?" , "it's already shipped" , " how about a tracking number?" , "we'll have to get that to you later." No show. Then I told them the owner of the car was really pissed at me, they said they'd get them right out. No show. Soooooo, four months and four days later I called again today expecting to get the run-around, and I actually got a tracking number. And it's for real. They'll be here on Wednesday.

I also got the run-around over three months for the back wheels for Azreal. Is anyone else having these problems?

Other people are never even getting their wheels back...

kerry · #7 03-02-2013, 11:40 AM

Lots of criticism of Stockton on Expedition Portal.

DieselPaul · #8 03-02-2013, 12:31 PM

Columbus Wheel Medic will do it but he mostly does alloy wheels. He's a friend of mine but their shop is closed weekends, ill give him a call Monday and see what they charge if they do steel wheels.

How wide do you want to go?

t walgamuth · #9 03-02-2013, 02:20 PM

thanks to all for the enthusiastic suggestions!

I'll report on monday!

Mölyapina · #10 03-08-2013, 09:43 PM

What did you decide on?

KarTek · #11 03-08-2013, 09:47 PM

Wow, Stockton used to be the "go to" place for that kind of work...

t walgamuth · #12 03-08-2013, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jooseppi Luna

What did you decide on?

Not yet. Still thinking about it.

Jorn · #13 03-08-2013, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DieselPaul

Columbus Wheel Medic will do it but he mostly does alloy wheels. He's a friend of mine but their shop is closed weekends, ill give him a call Monday and see what they charge if they do steel wheels.

How wide do you want to go?

Would he be able to widen the lip?

t walgamuth · #14 03-09-2013, 04:34 AM

In the olden days and perhaps still, they cut the rim in half at one of the steps in it and add a band of steel. I believe they can also do it by cutting the rim from the center section and replacing the whole rim.

layback40 · #15 03-09-2013, 07:55 AM

I would not widen your wheels. Probably to get the width you want you should have thicker metal. The old rims probably dont have the bead lock cross-section that is needed with radial tubeless tires. You would be far better to see if you can find a modern style rim that looks the same as the originals.