Crack in my Forgestar F14
#26
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Just wanted to follow up on this. I got my new wheel today, on time and as promised from Forgestar. Zero hassle, and as I said before, they offered to ship me a new wheel before I even asked for it. I've got to give them credit, as much as it bothered me that the wheel cracked, I have nothing but good things to say about how they handled it. I'd gamble on another set (and might for my fiance's 335i), since I really feel like this is a pretty one off problem. Tomespo is totally right, it's worth it to have him powder coat them properly. Still, it's a lightweight wheel at a fair price. I've seen a few cracked HREs and BBSs in my day too. At least I know Forgestar won't bat an eye or give me any run around if I ever have a problem.
Last edited by SurfSwitch; 07-18-2013 at 12:07 AM. Reason: Added Pic
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That's nice that they replaced the wheel and all but what if you did not notice the crack when you did? I would have asked Forgestar for some, or all of my money back and get some wheels less prone to cracking. As others have said, all wheels can crack, but seems like certain brands crack more often.
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W204 C63 Coupe, W166 ML350 BlueTEC, 928GT, C5 Z06 & IS300 race cars, EQE 4Matic+ on order
I am not suggesting or implying that Tomespo is in any way doing something wrong - but you guys all know that powder-coating (or chemically stripping) forged wheels can significantly weaken them structurally, right? You can sand-blast, paint and polish them all you want, but once you heat up the (forged) metal past a certain temperature or for too long, you will change the grain structure.
#32
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Yeah, that's a long discussed topic. Choose your powder coater carefully. Some know what they're doing and a lot more don't. I know Tom knows his stuff, so it's why I mentioned him.
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W204 C63 Coupe, W166 ML350 BlueTEC, 928GT, C5 Z06 & IS300 race cars, EQE 4Matic+ on order
That's great to hear. I wish there was a local shop around Toronto that could safely do wheels. I've had cylinder head covers and belly pans done at a local place with excellent results, but I do know that they bake the finish at well over 200 C (395 F), which is too high for wheels.
#36
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I am not suggesting or implying that Tomespo is in any way doing something wrong - but you guys all know that powder-coating (or chemically stripping) forged wheels can significantly weaken them structurally, right? You can sand-blast, paint and polish them all you want, but once you heat up the (forged) metal past a certain temperature or for too long, you will change the grain structure.
Last edited by rage2; 07-18-2013 at 02:43 PM.
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A simple gravity cast (or low pressure cast) wheel on the other hand does not have a unidirectional grain pattern, so powder-coating those wheels at higher temperatures or for too long would not alter the structure of the metal.
#39
Did Forgestar offer an explanation as to why your wheel cracked? I have the same wheels on my Bentley and I'm very concerned ( especially considering my CGT weighs more than 2 tons).
#40
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You put forgestars on a bently?
-- Probably a combination of material used to produce the wheel + time + road conditions. Could've structurally worn over time and finally broke in a pothole or something like that.
-- Probably a combination of material used to produce the wheel + time + road conditions. Could've structurally worn over time and finally broke in a pothole or something like that.
#41
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So what's the wheel still under warranty when they replaced and that's why they replaced it?
I have forgestars too and one of my rear wheel cracked in the inner lip.
I have forgestars too and one of my rear wheel cracked in the inner lip.
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2006 E55 AMG, Alfa Romeo Stelvio Ti Sport
I guess they are not designed to withstand the weight of our cars that effectively, it's annoying though to have to deal with flat tires because of it.
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Seeing as the alloy is heated during the spinning and pulling process, they're much closer to centrifugal casting in terms of molecular structure alignment and thus strength than a true forged wheel. And, judging by the number of reported failures (cracks - forged wheels usually bend when you whack them hard), I'd say they're on the "unsuitable" side for a 4000 lb car.
You get what you pay for.
You get what you pay for.
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2006 E55 AMG, Alfa Romeo Stelvio Ti Sport
I've had two cracks along the inner barrel of the same wheel. Too bad they are out of warranty. I suppose this is the downside of light wheels.
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2006 E55 AMG, Alfa Romeo Stelvio Ti Sport
Lol
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