Alloy wheels - multi PCD holes

[RollingThunder]

As some of you may have read, I recently bought some Barzetta Star alloy wheels from Sweden. They arrived on Friday and are gorgeous looking, however they have been cast for 2x PCD fittings...



I've never seen this before and I'm wondering if its safe?

Surely there will be stress fractures developing between the holes? I'd have thought that if they were making them with 2x PCDs the holes would be made further apart - its an obvious weakness to me? Or am I worrying about nothing? Nobody else seems to have mentioned it on the internet and I've done a lot of trawling...

Thanks as always.

[360beast]

It's become quite common with aftermarket wheels to be multi fitment and I've not heard of any issues with it, that's not to say there aren't cases of cracks etc just that it would be very uncommon. I'm sure they have to be made fit for purpose otherwise they couldn't legally sell them so I'd not be too bothered about it myself.

[GingerMagic]

I wouldn't be bothered by it either - it's one big solid lump of metal - one stud cannot be 'broken through ' without the other 4 studs doing the same simultaneously I should imagine....

Nice wheels though, remind me of the Borbet rims.

[baggy798]

After a quick search talking about similar siamesed pcd setups, some say they're scrap and a complete deathtrap, some say they're ok, and others are everywhere in between.

Put a post on this facebook group, see what they say:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/23765538560/

[Forrest]

Whilst that looks messy I should have thought it would be safe provided you use the correct type of wheel nuts and torque them correctly. The force at each hole should not be excessive unless you manage to get a situation where the friction between the wheel and the hub gives way. That will only happen in an extreme situation or if the nuts start to work loose.

Over-torquing the wheel nuts might increase the risk if damage to the holes. But then I doubt you’re planning on letting a youth with a windy gun anywhere near those wheels.

Most alloy wheel failures happen at the rim or on the spokes where the greatest forces occur. Quality wheels should be able to take fairly extreme punishment before any serious damage occurs.

[RollingThunder]

OK, thanks everyone. Looks like they're going to be safe enough then :) They do supply a set of new nuts with them, so that should address the incorrect nut profile issue.

Just got to get them cleaned and ceramic coated now, then I can start to look for some tyres.

Thanks again, much appreciated as always.

[940volvoman]

Don't forget to notify your insurance co. as they are interested in stuff like this.....

[jpliddy]

has any one actually had a problem with these wheels ever? or got documentation to say they are a problem ?

[DAN AT ADRIAN FLUX]

Hi.
If you have any issues with insurance at all for a change of wheels then please feel free to drop me a line.
Regards,
Dan.

[RollingThunder]

Thanks Dan.

@940VolvoMan - I'm with AF, and phoned to ask about the change of wheels before I bought them. Apparently there is no increase in premium for actually fitting them, but they wouldn't be covered as such, as the car would be valued as originally insured. However my insurance is due for renewal at around the time I'll be fitting the wheels (Spring), so I'll be including them in the 'modifications' list when describing the car then.