wheels of modern vehicles are experiencing significant stress while driving. Judge for yourself - the heavy SUV with an engine with a 6 liter and a mass of 3 tons is busy turning at a good speed.
Imagine what efforts must withstand the wheel discs. And if at the same time to collide with a brick, lying on the roadway, the load will increase many times. Margin of safety - it is very good, especially in light of the two traditional Russian problems. Do not want to, having called in an asphalt pit with sharp edges, has further to go on three wheels, and not the fact that the ride. Perhaps somersault.
On the other hand, there is such a thing as the unsprung mass. Phenomenon is detrimental, the smaller the masses, the better the handling. Not without reason the producers of premium used for the cars aluminum levers, although they are considerably more expensive than steel and less durable. Bad will happen if the heaviest wheels will bring to naught all the efforts to reduce unsprung weight.
Cars that are sold in complete sets of simple, usually equipped with stamped steel wheels. The choice is clear. Firstly, it is cheaper to manufacture, but the final price for a budget car is essential. Second, despite the low cost, they are strong enough - with a strong impact disc is cracked, but pomnetsya - have a chance in time to pull over.
Depending on the force of impact bend "stamping" will have to either throw out or will be sufficient to simply "rolled" in a specialized workshop. Of course, seemingly forged wheel does not look much, but rose plastic cap, which greatly improves the appearance. The only thing that is not happy, so is the price of the original caps from dealers.
More expensive configuration as cars and domestic cars are sold on alloy wheels. Alloy wheels easily forged, look better and have higher manufacturing precision.
Manageability machine to "cast" is better, not least because the more expensive versions are equipped with more powerful engines. Accordingly, their customers is not enough just to move in space, sometimes there is a desire and drive, and go through intensive rotation. Otherwise, what a powerful engine?
Another advantage of "casting" in the fact that the thermal conductivity of light alloys is higher than that of steel, respectively, the brakes cool better - more heat is diverted into the atmosphere from the brakes.
Interestingly, the high accuracy and was originally a good balance of "casting" may play a cruel joke on fans of the economy. I mean the case when a person puts on light alloy wheels domestic rubber. At the time, spoke with an employee of a specialized workshop for rolling and the restoration of the geometry of the wheels, and he told me one of his interesting observation.
Tired already blame all domestic, but where to go? Perhaps criticism of the Russian producer, finally, something will push off the ground? In those ancient times, I went on a fairly fresh "eight", bought from the hands.
The car was originally imported to the alloy wheels and tires native BC-19. I was irritated by the fact that the wheels slightly, but "sausage" while driving. Balancing does not help, and I decided that the geometry of discs lost, went to "laminate". Master I have not pleased. Picking up the wheel and seeing the markings on the bus BC-19, said: "Laminating useless, does not help, want to ride without vibration - put imported rubber. I replied: "How true! The father on "Six BCs too, and no vibration is not felt."
The answer was: "So at six, I suppose," punching "costs, and even domestic? The fact that the initial low stiffness of the domestic steel wheels and the initial curvature of the Russian tire after a certain time cancel each other out, and at speeds that can develop the VAZ 2106, the domestic "brick" is almost a complete lack of aerodynamics, it is enough. "
Alloy wheels - the thing is definitely a good one who would doubt it? But here, too has its pitfalls. As always and everywhere is in the Russian market, and in this region there is low-quality goods. At one time, a lot of criticism provoked Turkish "casting". Too soft for our roads, and the restoration of geometry and roll - it trim. A couple of times rolled and begin to think. It was easier to just buy an expensive but better quality goods than to pay later for repairs, but still time to lose.
Light alloys not tolerate an aggressive environment, and on our roads icing agents and salt are just such a medium are. Producers of "casting" always cover their products with a protective film to prevent corrosion, but not always, it helps.
In the tire to balance often used iron brush to clean dirt from the wheels. On alloy wheels similar operation can not be done, sderete anticorrosion coating and to "cast" will appear black spots. What is there may be appearance?
Alloy wheels are good, but today is not the best that the market offers. There are also forged. They are the strongest, or rather all the other manufactured, lightweight, beautiful, one problem - cost. But there was nothing to be done. Best - the most expensive. This is not always the rule works, but with "hammering" - the same case when it works.
The method of manufacturing such that the disks are stamped with hot high pressure. This virtually eliminates the emergence of hidden cavities, residual stress in the metal. Accordingly, in the extreme case in the way they help the most. For example, if you will meet a hole in the pavement or around obstacles at high speed.
I'll take it upon myself to give a few tips on buying wheels, whether it is simply "cast", "forging" or even "stamped". It is no secret that on our roads, even in Moscow, you can see anything you like - curbs, forgotten road builders, or an open manhole. I remember a couple of years ago, hardly toured the open pit. It happened in Moscow on the highway of Enthusiasts in the left (!) Series.
Car manufacturers bundle their car alloy wheels of different configurations - depending on the make, model, etc., ditching one disc of four on the road, you will not put the other on the same pattern, even if it is suitable in all respects - departure, diameter, width, etc. The prices of the original painful bite.
Now do wheels alloy wheels called «Replica». They are usually two to three times cheaper, just repeat the original, and made quite well-known manufacturers. A good option even in the case, if you do not want two times a year "change one's shoes", and have a desire to simply have two sets of wheel assemblies.
And finally: If you purchase a CD think that it's better. If the budget is tight, maybe it makes sense to buy a "stamping" the well-known firms, rather than suspicious, "casting". Car - as a means of increased danger to others, and for the owner, and collapsed on the speed wheel drive will not add to anyone's health.
