I finally got the wheels I wanted for a good price, after some considerable searching. The rims are second hand but are totally immaculate.

http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/showthrea...0&page=2&pp=20

(crap picture quality)

However, in my haste to fit them to my car using the standard wheel brace, I have caused a small amount of damage to the finish around some of the holes when tightening the nuts.

A friend has suggested getting the brace milled to take of some of the thickness but I don't know anyone with a milling machine so I thought I'd try and buy a replacement brace instead.

Does anyone know where I can buy a more suitable one that won't damage my wheels in future? I have even tried putting electrical tape around the end of the brace but now it won't fit over some of the nuts.

Thanks.

 

I use a socket and wrench, with tape on it, it's thinner than a wheel brace..

You can also get a 'soft socket' which is made to not damage the rims or nuts.. had one for my 911.. find them here, half way down the page..

http://www.type-911.co.uk/ac_spectools.htm

You'll need to check the size of it, hope that helps.

 

Ahhh, right just clicked on your link, I had those same Rota Tarmac 2 wheels, even my socket was an absolute pig to get in with no damage.. i did however see a special socket to work with those, thats what you need, sold by one of the Rota dealers who are called something like 'midland wheels'... sure a search will find them, they have been mentioned on S'net a few times..

 

Yeah happened mine too. Used socket to put rest on. Interested to know where can get proper brace that won't mark them!!!

 

Halfauds do plastic sleeved ones designed for alloy wheels.

 

19mm socket with tape on should work with those wheels

 

BTW, what wheel nuts did you fit? the OE ones are a different taper to the Rotas seats, did you get nuts supplied?... IIRC the special socket I saw to fit these actually went inside the nut..

19mm socket will not really do it, tried that myself and its still too tight to be safe.

 

Have a look at Sealey tools

www.sealey.co.uk

Search using

"Aluminium Wheel Impact Socket Set"

 

I've got a Halfords Socket set which fits around the wheel nuts on my 19" Kahn RSV's a treat

 

I have 2 sockets I use both from Halfords on different occasions... first one I had milled down second one fits ok both have tape wrapped around them.

The socket used on my locking nuts I had milled down a mm, it did fit but could not wrap tape around it until after milling.... Richie what locks have you got ??
I upgraded mine with a set from revoltion they are thatcham reconised.

 

Hi Si, I'm not sure what locking nuts they are, the ones I got when I bought the car. They have the locator holes in them for the adaptor. To be honest, they weren't too bad to fit, it was the ones supplied with the wheels that I'm having trouble with.

 

They seem to be along the right lines and they have a Christmas promotion on - £30 for the set.

If Halfords can't offer anything as good and cheaper today I'll get them ordered.

Thanks.

 

You can get Allen Key style wheel nuts these days....you just then use an appropriate sized allen key socket on your 1/2" ratchet/breakerbar/torque wrench.

 

If you have the locking nuts off your old wheels, do check the taper is a proper fit on the new wheels.. like I mentioned earlier the seat taper on Rota wheels is not the same as the OE Subaru ones, that's why OE wheel nuts should not be used on Rotas.. take one of the new nuts you got off and compare the profile against the locking nuts, may be ok, but well worth checking!

 

I tried Halfords this morning and they have sockets made specifically for alloy wheels that have a protective plastic sleeve over the metal.

Problem is, this makes the head ferkin HUGE. Not even close to fitting between the nut and the alloy......whoever designed those is a ****!

Back to the drawing board. I don't want to order the ones from "Sealey" now in case they are of a similar construction.....

 

Mate, the problem is the nuts supplied are not suitable... you need to get ones with the allen headed middle and the special socket or spline drive nuts.. I had exactly the same problem with my Rotas and you will not find a standard socket or wrench to fit without damage (unless you mill a socket down).. you need to find something like these.. click on the spline drive nuts these are the correct seating for Rotas..

http://subydude.com/osc/index.php?cP...51525208081476

Like I said before, try Midland Wheels or speak to Julian at

http://www.rarerims.co.uk/

They will have exactly what you need... job done!

 

subaru locking nuts will not work on tarmac 2 wheels

 

Right, an update for anyone who's interested and is having trouble with their wheel brace damaging their alloys.

I have purchased the following products from Halfords, cost a few quid but has done the job.

Halfords 'Professional' Deep Socket, 1/2" Drive (19mm). P/N: 167874 - £5.49
Halfords 'Professional' Breaker Bar, 1/2" Drive (16"). P/N: 168153 - £12.99

I wrapped the socket in electrical tape and it still fits perfectly.

Sorted