I emailed this question to Tire Rack, but figured I would ask here as well.

I noticed that while some wheels have just the finish and other various product descriptions when a wheel is selected, others make it a point to say "Durability and Strength optimized". What exactly does this mean? That the wheel is made with a stronger type of alloy maybe? Not sure, but I do know this... I would spend a little extra cash for increased strength and durability. I have owned cheaper wheels before and they tend to warp / go out of round pretty easy. I am trying to avoid that if possible and if purchasing a set of wheels that state that they are constructed for durability means a longer lasting wheel, then I am all about it.

What is done differently in the construction of the wheel that makes it more durable?

What is the difference between LP Cast / Shot Preened VS. just LP Cast?

Thanks for taking the time.

 

I am a complete laymen, but I will give it a shot.

Shot peening is a process similar to sand blasting. In fact it is just a different form of media blasting, but with a different purpose. Media blasting is usually done to remove some sort of material from the base object such as paint or rust. Shot peening is done to "work harden" a material. Essentially this increases a materials fatigue strength and reduce brittleness.

Now if you are really looking for something that will save you money in the long run, I would look into either a two or three piece wheel. No matter how careful you are or how strong your wheels are, if you hit a bad enough pothole it will bend any wheel. If you have a two piece or three piece wheel you can simply replace the hoop if it is beyond repair. With a cast wheel, you would have to replace the entire wheel. And if the wheel is no longer in production, you will have to buy a whole new set of wheels. With a two or three piece wheel that uses a standard hoop even if the wheel is discontinued you can have the hoop replaced.

 

Provided the component parts of teh rims are still available - otherwise you are S.O.L.

 

http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/tech/....jsp?techid=90

When it comes to wheels, the quality of manufacturing has a lot to do with it. Although, it can be hard finding out who manufactures certain wheels, and where they are made. Sometimes, you really can't tell....

If your're willing to spend (a lot) more, forged wheels would be stronger, and lighter too. Multi-piece forged wheels would be even better.

 

Yea, I don't have crazy cash to spend. i was just curious is all.
Thanks for the info.

Matt

 

Couldn't have said it better myself.

 

Considering how little the the box weighs, cast wheels should be plenty strong enough.

 

LP stands for Light-Pressure casting. This means the wheel is cast with with pressure as opposed to just gravity. This process makes the wheel stonger by helping to eliminate air that can get trap in the alloy when it's liquid.

Depending on the type material used and the amount of material used, forged wheels are usually stonger....at least compared to gravity casting.

LP casting is a good compromise in terms of pricing. Given the Box's curb weight and it's limitations, an LP cast wheel is more than strong enough to suffice.

 

When you say components... what are you referring to? In most cases there only two pieces to a wheel. In some cases three, but for an xB, my bet would be two. You have a center and a hoop. On a three piece wheel you have a center, an inner hoop and an outer hoop. Very, VERY few of the wheel "manufacturers" build their own hoops. Almost everyone in the entire industry buys their hoops from one of only a couple companies that builds them.

And in the case of a damaged wheel, 9 times out of 10 the hoop is what receives the damage. Even if you have a billet wheel from 1990, guess what you can get a brand new hoop put on it today that is identical to the one that you bent. The same holds true to inner and outer hoops on three piece wheels.

The only time you MIGHT run into problems is if you have a damaged center that is no longer in production. With some manufacturers you can convince them to custom machine you a new center by giving them enough money. But by that time you may be just better off to spend a little more money and get a brand new set of wheels.

And yes, even if the company that manufactured your wheels goes out of business you can get a bent hoop replaced. As I mentioned before, almost everyone sources their hoops from the same companies. Anyone who can rehoop a wheel would be able to get a new hoop and weld it up for you.

I have had rehoops done by manufacturers and by private companies. It made no difference in the quality of the wheel, the construction, or the materials.