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Date:         Sun, 21 Sep 2003 05:48:01 +1200
Reply-To:     Andrew Grebneff <andrew.grebneff@STONEBOW.OTAGO.AC.NZ>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Andrew Grebneff <andrew.grebneff@STONEBOW.OTAGO.AC.NZ>
Subject:      Re: Are Audi wheels unsafe on a Vanagon?
In-Reply-To:  <103.364ab22a.2c9de069@aol.com>
Content-type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset=us-ascii

>One way to tell cast from forged is by looking at the bare alloy surface with >a magnifying glass (best with jeweler's loop used for checking out >gemstones). Anyway, forged aluminum will look tight and less porous >to their more common >counterparts. The pores are airpockets left from casting. Forging the wheel >forces most of these airpockets out or makes them very small resulting in a >stronger wheel. > >Forged wheels are also generally much lighter than a comparable cast wheel. >Since forged wheels are stronger, manufacturers will often use less >material to >accomplish the same thing. In one example, I found a 15" X 7" forged alloy >wheel weigh 50% less than a cast wheel in the same style and size. >Furthermore, >the weigh capacity of the forged wheel was 33% higher than the rating for the >cast counterpart. > >Unfortunately, forged wheels are much more difficult to make. As a result few >designs are available. Some due to lack of demand (due to cost), most because >the forging process limits (aesthetic) designs. So there are more >good-looking (yeah, I know it is a relative term) cast wheels >available vs. forged >wheels. Forged wheels tend to have flatter dish and spoke designs.

I believe Mercedes alloy wheels are forgeries? -- Andrew Grebneff Dunedin, New Zealand 64 (3) 473-8863 <andrew.grebneff@stonebow.otago.ac.nz> Fossil preparator Seashell, Macintosh & VW/Toyota van nut


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