steel wheels

Come here to ask for technical help and advice
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richtbiscuits
Posts: 145
Joined: 28th February 2015 - 11:25pm

steel wheels

Post by richtbiscuits » 31st July 2018 - 9:40pm

My long-term (read severely corroded, probably a scrapper) 412 project has badly dented and corroded wheels so I need five replacements. They are the 4.5Jx15 type with 46mm offset. I found some wheels on vwheritage that are 4.5Jx15 with 45mm offset and 4.5 inch backspace. Measuring my old wheel shows these to be the correct dimensions but has anyone had any experience of using them? What's the quality like? Ideally, I'd like to fit original items so if anyone has any original steel wheels in good condition I'd be interested to hear from you. Cheers.
'72 412 LE Variant
'73 412 LE Variant
'83 1200 Beetle

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Kai
Posts: 392
Joined: 3rd June 2007 - 12:40pm
Location: Surrey

Re: steel wheels

Post by Kai » 31st July 2018 - 10:43pm

Would you not consider having yours repaired?

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sparkywig
Posts: 660
Joined: 28th August 2013 - 12:49pm

Re: steel wheels

Post by sparkywig » 1st August 2018 - 11:29am

I've got a set of wheels for sale if you search the ads page.

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richtbiscuits
Posts: 145
Joined: 28th February 2015 - 11:25pm

Re: steel wheels

Post by richtbiscuits » 1st August 2018 - 7:38pm

Yes, I'll repair if possible but the one I did get the tyre off was in a really terrible state; the inner rim (to stop the tyre moving inwards) was just flaking rust and the valve hole a rather uneven, large egg shape. The tyre was shredded and the car has been sat outside for 25 years so perhaps not a surprise. I've yet to take the tyres off the others but two are really badly dented and rusted. The rear two might yet be saved, I hope.

Sparkywig, could I ask a little more about your wheels? Are they corroded or just in need of a shot-blast and powder coating? Are they just the wheels or still in rubber? Do you have a picture or two you could send me? Would you consider posting, payment at my cost of course?

I have to admit my project really is a wreck. I got it from a splendid chap up in Morpeth who bought it down for me rather than chop it up for scrap. I just wanted to stay it's demise a little, save all parts possible and maybe (perhaps in dreamland) resurrect it. The near side sill is gone, the floor has a giant hole where the battery used to be, the boot floor is made of bran flakes, the bulkhead and heater box are falling apart, the rear arches are hand-shreddingly jagged and the gutters are through but still I dream of one more saved!
'72 412 LE Variant
'73 412 LE Variant
'83 1200 Beetle

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937carrera
Posts: 1190
Joined: 7th June 2013 - 11:54pm
Location: North Yorkshire

Re: steel wheels

Post by 937carrera » 5th August 2018 - 10:07pm

Wondered what happened to that - Texas Yellow. I looked at it a couple of years ago, never got round to finding the space and hooking back up with the guy. I think you've got you work cut out there, big project.
David
1974 412LS Variant
1973 412LE 4 door Fastback / Saloon

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richtbiscuits
Posts: 145
Joined: 28th February 2015 - 11:25pm

Re: steel wheels

Post by richtbiscuits » 10th February 2019 - 8:29pm

Sorry 937carrera I never saw your post until tonight. That is indeed the car - the sort of Texas Yellow one - and a very big project for sure. I've definitely got my work cut out on this one although by the time I finish cutting out the rot there might not be anything left! I will keep everyone posted on any progress but for now I've a scrappy old Beetle I've promised to shift first, hopefully back onto the road.
'72 412 LE Variant
'73 412 LE Variant
'83 1200 Beetle

s.unsworth
Posts: 434
Joined: 10th November 2006 - 6:17pm
Location: Up North ( It`s Grim)

Re: steel wheels

Post by s.unsworth » 18th February 2019 - 6:12pm

I fitted new Original style 5.5” x 15” Wheels on my Type 3 with 185 65 15 Tyres. Not original but I like the look.

Only problem was I had to swap the Tyre for the Spare back to a 165 80 15 as the 185 would not fit in the Spare Wheel well. The 165 is tight as it is !

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