6UL wheels still cracking...
#23
Just to clarify, Keith from FM has responded and stated that the failures spread beyond a single wheel. They are multiple different wheel lines by different manufacturing facilities over an extended time period. Someone else also confirmed that there was a production change to the 15 inch wheels but the reason for that is not known. Maybe it was an attempt to correct an issue maybe it was just a random change.
#24
To clarify:
There are four generations of 15" that have distinct design changes and were built with different manufacturing techniques. We know there was a problem with the 15" Gen 2. I'm not aware of problems with the current 15" Gen 4.
The 17" NC and ND wheels are built on different tooling and designed to different load ratings. The one that I'm particularly interested in is the 17" ND wheel. If you personally have inspected a set of your own and found cracks, please drop me a line so I can get a clear idea of how many are experiencing problems.
Right now, there are at least three different basic wheel designs for 6ULs: 15", NC 17" and ND 17". They all look alike but they vary enough to be considered different wheels when looking at failures. I don't know enough about the manufacturing of the 15s to know if the different widths of 15 should be treated differently in that regard.
There are four generations of 15" that have distinct design changes and were built with different manufacturing techniques. We know there was a problem with the 15" Gen 2. I'm not aware of problems with the current 15" Gen 4.
The 17" NC and ND wheels are built on different tooling and designed to different load ratings. The one that I'm particularly interested in is the 17" ND wheel. If you personally have inspected a set of your own and found cracks, please drop me a line so I can get a clear idea of how many are experiencing problems.
Right now, there are at least three different basic wheel designs for 6ULs: 15", NC 17" and ND 17". They all look alike but they vary enough to be considered different wheels when looking at failures. I don't know enough about the manufacturing of the 15s to know if the different widths of 15 should be treated differently in that regard.
#25
Emilio obviously frequents the forum, I would be interested to hear his side of the story. Whether or not his wheels have a design flaw, sounds like one (or more) of his customers could use a hug right now. Unfortunately this whole internet thing makes it easy for one or two upset customers to rally the torch/pitchfork crowd. I’ve been using Konig and Advanti wheels with no issues, but it’s mostly because I couldn’t justify the price difference for the 6UL’s.
#29
Two of my 15x8 Gen 1 6ULs finally developed cracks in the spokes just a couple of months ago. I believe I purchased them in 2009 and drove the crap outta them on track when I was new to HPDE, and more recently as my no tire/brake change option. I have two non-cracked 15x9 Gen 2s that I retired after one season, lost somewhere in the garage. The other two were taken to the dump.
#30
No aluminum wheel is immune. I felt that the Advanti S1 fatigued a bit too early at around 8 sets of tires. But it cracked in a very safe manner, so no real complaints. The 6UL failure mode in the pictures is gnarly. I've also seen several of the Team Dynamics SM wheels (i.e., built heavy) fail in exactly the same way. So . . . .
Pictures of how the S1 cracks:
https://www.miataturbo.net/wheels-ti...parison-95534/
Pictures of how the S1 cracks:
https://www.miataturbo.net/wheels-ti...parison-95534/
#31
To clarify:
There are four generations of 15" that have distinct design changes and were built with different manufacturing techniques. We know there was a problem with the 15" Gen 2. I'm not aware of problems with the current 15" Gen 4.
The 17" NC and ND wheels are built on different tooling and designed to different load ratings. The one that I'm particularly interested in is the 17" ND wheel. If you personally have inspected a set of your own and found cracks, please drop me a line so I can get a clear idea of how many are experiencing problems.
Right now, there are at least three different basic wheel designs for 6ULs: 15", NC 17" and ND 17". They all look alike but they vary enough to be considered different wheels when looking at failures. I don't know enough about the manufacturing of the 15s to know if the different widths of 15 should be treated differently in that regard.
There are four generations of 15" that have distinct design changes and were built with different manufacturing techniques. We know there was a problem with the 15" Gen 2. I'm not aware of problems with the current 15" Gen 4.
The 17" NC and ND wheels are built on different tooling and designed to different load ratings. The one that I'm particularly interested in is the 17" ND wheel. If you personally have inspected a set of your own and found cracks, please drop me a line so I can get a clear idea of how many are experiencing problems.
Right now, there are at least three different basic wheel designs for 6ULs: 15", NC 17" and ND 17". They all look alike but they vary enough to be considered different wheels when looking at failures. I don't know enough about the manufacturing of the 15s to know if the different widths of 15 should be treated differently in that regard.
Asking because I have a set of "S2000" 17" 6ULs on my FD...
--Ian
#37
I've seen some pics posted to facebook of severely failed 6UL's. I'm not sure of exactly what sizes were involved and I don't know exactly why they failed. Regardless, it should be taken seriously by everyone as a few people are probably very lucky that they weren't seriously injured or killed. Go ahead and roast me if that makes you feel manly. But this isn't an issue for a stand up comedy routine.
Last edited by wannafbody; 09-11-2019 at 12:34 AM.