Ive genuine Prodrive 18" PFF7s.

Ive recently discovered when changing pads, fairly large cracks on 3 out of 4 alloys??
both fronts and 1 rear. these are all on the inside edge of the alloy starting at the bead with a 4-5mm gap and leading inwards for 30-40mm.

They have NOT been refurbished but have been subject to extreme hard cornering and braking...alot.

I live in a remote rural area and regularly see smoke from front pads when stopped and ive noticed you cant actually touch the alloys when i arrive home they get that hot(20-30 mile of repeated hard braking)

Ive sti8 brembos ,godspeed floating grooved discs and ferodo ds2500s ( i find anything else fades very quickly)

Could it be possible to get the alloys so hot that they stress crack when cooling??
Not exactly confidence inspiring when i think of the speeds ive been relying on these.
Anyone any ideas??

 

me too, mine look more looks bubbly than cracked. post some pics, i will do the same in the morning. I bought the car a couple of months ago and think the colour isn't original but am not sure. i assumed the previous owner used some cheap wheel cleaener stuff?

I was thinking of going down to birmingham and joining the group buy refurb and also getting the tyre pressure and temp monitor from another gb, but if the same thing happens again theres not much point.

 

Is yours similar? or something totally different?

 

The paint inside the wheelnut recesses has bubbled badly on mine. I'll get round to scraping it off and re-painting them soon. Does anyone know the paint code or a good match for the gold PFF7's?

JohnD

 

no no this is far far more worrying.. its not just cosmetic...im talking cracks that are actual splits in the rim at the inside bead (strut) side of each wheel.

If i could post pics everyone in the country with PFF7's would go get the jacks out and start spinning nuts off to check theirs...

i'll try to get some pics up..

 

I agree, my bubbles are, as you say, cosmetic.
Actual splits are a real concern and on PFF7's quite disconcerting, as they are considered good quality wheels.
Certain non ferrous alloys are known to "age harden" and cracks can be the result of this process. Alloy wheels should undergo a stress relieving heat treatment after casting to remove that threat. Sudden, rapid cooling could be a possible cause?
I'll certainly check mine.

JohnD

 

Worrying indeed, I'll check mine when I get a chance although they're not given a hard time.

 

Are you certain they are genuine?

 

I remember a thread a year or two ago regarding PFF7 copies cracking?

JohnD

 

they're definently genuine Prodrive speedlines. Have the flowforming script cast into them.
The lugs on the plastic centre caps have melted as well....