datsun 160J SSS Posted April 29, 2010 Report Share Posted April 29, 2010 I have a question ? are the 14inc american libre wheels safe to use? I have been talking to some guys that dont like to use them because they can brake and are unsafe . anyone care to give feed back on useing them . The set I have are the big center hole cap ,and the spokes are the hollow ones the lug holes are clean ,,,dont know any information please help thanks Quote Link to comment
Pacific coast Datsun Posted April 29, 2010 Report Share Posted April 29, 2010 I have a set of the 13 x 5 "fake" Libres & have never heard of any safety issues. Mine are lug-centric meaning the lugs are what center the rim on the hub. Post a pic of yours when you can. Quote Link to comment
Jesse C. Posted April 29, 2010 Report Share Posted April 29, 2010 Unless you are using them for hard competition I think they are safe for street duty. Check for cracks and if there are none, then you should be good to go. Quote Link to comment
hang_510 Posted April 29, 2010 Report Share Posted April 29, 2010 I have been talking to some guys that dont like to use them because they can brake and are unsafe. everyones got a story, but how many are firsthand??? ive heard of them failing... in an accident. one of my 13X7 knockoffs has been curbed hard, but is not cracked/bent/etc, still balances, i drive around the cyns w/my son on it. Quote Link to comment
Creepy Cruiser Posted April 29, 2010 Report Share Posted April 29, 2010 I've been using mine (13"x7") on the street, autocross, and road racing for 25 years, with no problems ever. In all those years, I've never seen one fail in person. Quote Link to comment
jefe de jefes Posted April 29, 2010 Report Share Posted April 29, 2010 There's a complete set of libre type wheels in the Bakersfield pickapart if anybody is interested. 14's I think. I took some pics with my phone. Quote Link to comment
jun Posted April 30, 2010 Report Share Posted April 30, 2010 A friend of mine runs Libres on his 1200, and he pushes his car hard. I'd trust a set, but like any old wheel, you've got to check them out. Quote Link to comment
datsun 160J SSS Posted April 30, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 30, 2010 Thanks guys for your input .The wheels I got are clean no curb rash lug holes are clean ,just need to have the lips polished .Love that 1200 with the libre wheels .OLD SCHOOL LOOK . should look good on my 160j sss 710 Quote Link to comment
racerx Posted May 4, 2010 Report Share Posted May 4, 2010 Theya re not safe..I'll pick them up and won't charge you gas..just kidding..had them on my 75 Celica for like 5 years..no problems... Quote Link to comment
Radim Posted May 25, 2010 Report Share Posted May 25, 2010 I'd be more worried about newer wheels than older wheels. Like most older things they are built with quality not many companies back then were out-sourcing to other countries where the quality of metal is unknown and the casting/forging processes may be flawed. Quote Link to comment
defdes Posted May 25, 2010 Report Share Posted May 25, 2010 The original ARE wheels will likely be of better quality, in part because of their known origin and because of the web reinforcement in the spoke. I have been running them on my street car for 10 years with no issues. I have heard people at the track say "they'd never use them because of failure" that said, there are a few 510's with VARA that run them with no issues (ARE). Quote Link to comment
KB100 Posted May 26, 2010 Report Share Posted May 26, 2010 An engineer friend once told me "anything structural made of aluminum will fail eventually". I doubt there is much flex in an old school aluminum wheel. They certainly will outlast a modern lightweight wheel, but every corner you go around is one corner closer to the end. I'd consider finding a set with 20 year old dry rotted tires like finding gold. You know their much further from their failure point. A set that's got modern tires could have been in service the whole time and could be reaching the end. I saw one that had broken at the end of each spoke. The rim/tire had completely detached from the center. It was in a JY though, so it could have hit a culvert or something. The car wasn't totaled though, the control arm not noticeably bent. Quote Link to comment
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