BBS RX2 (GTI Split Rims) Refurb Guide

Post Instructions on DIY modifications here - use all information with caution!
nickpolo
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Post by nickpolo »

will it be nice and simple and say 'non-acidic' or do i have to check the ingredients list for something like polymethylhydocobustichlorhyhafenthol?

ta
inder
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Post by inder »

halfords were crap, as soon as I asked a staff member 'tighten items to a certain NM number' he looked puzzled and said 'we don't sell such an item'

do they?
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bstardchild
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Post by bstardchild »

inder wrote:halfords were crap, as soon as I asked a staff member 'tighten items to a certain NM number' he looked puzzled and said 'we don't sell such an item'

do they?
Yes - ask for a torque wrench - I've seen them for sale in Halfrauds
inder
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Post by inder »

torque wrench, great thanks m8 :)
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bstardchild
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Post by bstardchild »

inder wrote:torque wrench, great thanks m8 :)
Warning - they aren't cheap..... Better off with a company like machine mart or sealey - come to think of it I think I've seen some quite good ones cheap on ebay!!!
inder
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Post by inder »

great stuff, thanks for that - going to go for that 3rd link 'Torque Wrench 3/8" Drive - Brand New'

recon that's good? will fit to all my sockets?
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bstardchild
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Post by bstardchild »

inder wrote:great stuff, thanks for that - going to go for that 3rd link 'Torque Wrench 3/8" Drive - Brand New'

recon that's good? will fit to all my sockets?
As long as they are 3/8 drive they will

- please don't use it as a ratchet for everything - it'll lose it accuracy

- remember to fully unwind the setting to zero when you've finished with it

I have very few 1/4 or 3/8 drive sockets - actually i have on set of each but I rarely use anything smaller than 1/2 and have a complete inch drive set (thats big boys toys :wink: )
inder
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Post by inder »

thanks again for the info, mine are 1/4 or 3/8 in my small baby set (lol)

cheers m8 :)
owenjt
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Post by owenjt »

Can someone whose done this before tell me:

- at what point should i stop sanding after the 1st session of grade 240?

- do you think it would it harm if i use a drill with a sanding extension?
ziyaad
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Post by ziyaad »

Has anyone used mirror polish? lol i have plenty of enhtusiasm but very little experience. If i wanted to mirror polish a 1 piece wheel would i have to strip it down then polish straight away? or powder coat it then polish over that? I want a finish like Silky V's design 90's if anyones seen em

http://www.tigerstyle.co.uk/poloforum/v ... hp?t=23068
garnier
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Post by garnier »

After reading this guide and being a bit (no pun intented) confused about what tool to use to fit the bolts on the rim....I though I'd add my bit.

The bit needed (mentioned here as a VM8 tork bit) often confususes guys in the trade as it's not commonly used. An alloy refurb guy described it to me as a tool that the Germans love just because its a German thing.

....the bit thats needed is also known as a spline bit / multi-spline bit. Not to be confused with a standard tork (torque/torx) or star bit. These have about 6 points, the bit you need for the RXII has about 12 points.

It's available in most 'specialist drill bit sets'. I got mine from Halfords £19.99 for 5 bits various sizes). Halfords tools generally get a bad write up (and from my own experience) but the one I bought (halfords) was stronger than the titanium BBS bolts used on the RXIIs.

Most of my bolts came out very easily, but the ones that didnt caused me a real problem and now I'll have to get them drilled out, or removed by an engineering workshop. I'll probably ask a shop to remove them as I dont want to risk drilling out the mating thread on the wheel itself. I've heard a n impact driver is essential to shock the problem bolts out, but I was stupid enough to think my wheels wouldnt need that.

have fun :)
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Post by sorted »

Hello

Good DIY Guide.

I'm going to start doing this over the summer to my new GTi - the wheels are not bad - but i like the polished lip!

Few of my own questions:

1. Did you use new bolts to build the wheel back up ? If so where can i get them! If not - how did u clean them to be new and silver again ?

2. Where would i be able to get new centres ? Ebay / VW yeah ?

3. Do you have to seal the two parts again for sure yeah ? And this will stop it repeating ?

4. Do you think a this will look good with a silver centre!

Thanks!

Neildo.
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Post by Redline »

www.neil-f.net wrote: Few of my own questions:

1. Did you use new bolts to build the wheel back up ? If so where can i get them! If not - how did u clean them to be new and silver again ?
2. Where would i be able to get new centres ? Ebay / VW yeah ?
3. Do you have to seal the two parts again for sure yeah ? And this will stop it repeating ?
4. Do you think a this will look good with a silver centre!
5. Did you use any power tools - or just hand tools ?

Thanks!

Neildo.
To try and answer some of your questions:

1. There's no reason to use brand new bolts, unless you damage some on removing them. Being titanium the bolts tend not to corrode so I don't know why they might need cleaning up?

2. If you mean centre caps, eBay has them all the time, and VW would be able to as well.

3. You don't have to use sealant on rejoining the centre to the rim. It does help prevent water getting between the two parts however.

4. Will what look good?! :lol:

5. I've never used power tools on the refurbs I've done. What I would recommend, as garnier says above, is investing in an impact driver to loosen the bolts initially.
sorted
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Post by sorted »

Redline wrote:
www.neil-f.net wrote: Few of my own questions:

1. Did you use new bolts to build the wheel back up ? If so where can i get them! If not - how did u clean them to be new and silver again ?
2. Where would i be able to get new centres ? Ebay / VW yeah ?
3. Do you have to seal the two parts again for sure yeah ? And this will stop it repeating ?
4. Do you think a this will look good with a silver centre!
5. Did you use any power tools - or just hand tools ?

Thanks!

Neildo.
To try and answer some of your questions:

1. There's no reason to use brand new bolts, unless you damage some on removing them. Being titanium the bolts tend not to corrode so I don't know why they might need cleaning up?

Ok thanks , i thought maybe the bolts would look old when the wheels were all redone and clean ! If i do want to get them all clean and shinny should i drop them into some paint stripper for a few mins - would this clean them up and make them nice and shiney new looking ?

2. If you mean centre caps, eBay has them all the time, and VW would be able to as well.

Thanks , id like to get new ones if when i do this next month !

3. You don't have to use sealant on rejoining the centre to the rim. It does help prevent water getting between the two parts however.

Maswell put some sealant in then while there split

4. Will what look good?! :lol:

With the lip polished and the centres still silver (instead of black like the the wheels in the diy guide.

5. I've never used power tools on the refurbs I've done. What I would recommend, as garnier says above, is investing in an impact driver to loosen the bolts initially.

Nice One, just hard work then. I know its a hard question to answer - but how long did it take you to make one wheel lip shiney with the autosol - seems the best to use ?.

Many Thanks for the time.

Neildo
VR6 South
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Post by VR6 South »

If you don't fancy DIY try BJV Engineering . They are doing a full refurb on mine for £40 each as I've already split the rims. The centres will be powder coated and the rims will be diamond cut and laquered as per the originals. I have refurbed a set in the past and think it's worth spending to get them done properly.
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