There's no wheel section, so this is the best section I figured to stick this.

Recently I picked up a spare set of 16" 91-92 rims from a junkyard to polish. The two front ones had been burnt though. The rubber and soot came off easily with steel wool.

My question however is are the wheels still structurally stable? The actual metal of the wheels looked completly unharmed, still had mill-marks and everything, and don't appear deformed or anything. I've even heard the heating / cooling metal can harden it. Does anyone know what the actual alloy is (I doubt it's pure aluminum)?

BTW: I'll probably be running sport tires (BFG KDW) on them, possibly with some autocross time.

Looking for knowledge, not speculation,

- Mike

 

typically wheels that are involved in a fire are scrapped.

 

If the metal was quenched(cooled very fast) it would have hardened and become brittle. If it was allowed to cool slowly its gotten softer. The steel wool could have also taken the discoloration marks off.

I wouldnt chance it. I'd get new ones.

 

The heating and cooling of metals can affect their strength. There are a lot of variables though. The temperature reached, length of time that the temperature is maintained, as well as the loads on the wheels while they were heated all would play a role. Without knowing what temperature they saw and how long they were at that temperature, I don't think it is really possible to say what the effects are. What you can't prove good, you have to assume is bad.

However, some speculation if you don't mind ...

I wouldn't expect that wheels burned in a vehicle fire (I assume that is how they were burned) would see an extremely high temperature. Actually, nevermind. You're right. Speculation gets us nowhere.

 

i saw a burnt 4th gen in a yard and the rims were in sad shape. The steel plys were still wrapped around them and I believe one of the rims actually cracked from the heat. I believe rubber burns at very high temperatures and is hard to put out. Especially if the tire burnt right off of the rim, I wouldn't take a chance on them.

 

I dont know how big the fire was, but I do know the whole car didn't burn (the rears are perfect). The tires didnt burn right off either, they had to get the old ones removed. The valves were still in them when i got them, and aside from the tip being melted, they just popped right out (they hadnt burned off or anything).

I thought aluminum had to get really hot before you start hurting it? Since you can make stuff like cylinder heads out of it which have to deal with actual combustion heat and pressure. I really dont know how hot car fires are though.

Oh and what is the discoloration you had mentioned? Does that signify anything? Some areas had a yellowish tint to them, but I just assumed it was the old clear coat as it came right off with steel wool or sandpaper.

 

When metal is heated enough it turns colors like blue, reddish, purple, yellow/orange and dull gray. When metal changes colors it losing its temper(hardness/strength).

The yellow could be some minor surface rust.

Steel wool and sandpaper can take the discoloration off.

 

Just some speculation...

If you had to remove the old tires and the valve stems in the rims were still good, I'd think it would be safe to use them. You have a pic of the rims?

 

Ditto, if the valve stems were still there. They did not get very hot and should be safe.

I'm sure the JY would not of sold them if they were really toast. They would be liable as they should and would know better.

 

Actually if the junkyard told him they were burned then they would never be liable for anything.

As for the wheels if the valve steam didn't melt and the rubber didn't stick really bad to it then they didn't get too hot however before I went through alot of work on them I would go and get a tire store to check to make sure they didn't warp that would be my bigest concern.

They should be like 440 aluminium and should with the thickness of the wheel take alot of heat to cause hardning. But with out knowing about the fire and not being able to test it (some machine shops can do several test to see if it harmed the aluminium) you will be taking a risk although I doubt they would crack off the car they may crack and thus all the hard work of cleaning them is a waste.

 

if the CLEARCOAT was still on there i'd prolly say they're still good to go