having a mare refurbing my 108s please help!

[mad_mackem]

morning all,

decided to do the refurb on my 108s myself, i started to seperate the stars from the rims last night, 2 wheels were no problem what soever, but the other two are causing me a headache. 1 wheels i have removed all the bolts but cannot get the little b*stard to split and the other wheel 2 bolts seem to be rounded and i am not having much luck drilling them.

if anybody has any ideas that could help me it would be really appreciated!!!!

:headbang:

 

[Breaker]

Try (carefully) heating them up then a small tap around with a rubber mallet.

Another idea you could try is WD40 (not with the heat though!!).

 

[Rudd]

was going to say some releasing oil would work, probs just stuck together with crap from the road

 

[cj10jeeper]

Place the wheel vertically and hit the rear of the star with a rubber mallet. Keep a hold of the star and it will fly out real easy. there is nothing to hold it in other than perhaps a bit of corrosion.

As for strippled bolts - ouch. I would have used an 'easy out' type tool rather than drilling but assuming you've already taken a drill to it then you just have to go for it. A high quality drill is your only hope on the bolts. I'd use a bench drill to keep everything square and under control. Use a spare bolt to work out the diameter drill needed to take the top off the bolt

Getting replacements will be a real mare. I've had to post spares from a local wheel builder 'friend' as they seem unavailable.

 

[a11y]

Best advice I can give for stripped bolts if you're drilling them is to invest in a decent drill bit - I went through 3 crappy drill bits before buying a titanium-tipped drill bit from Screwfix for a couple of quid. I found a 6mm works well. I was using just a hand-held high-speed drill and it worked fine.

Bolts - cj10 sent me some spare bolts because as he says, they're a bugger to get hold of. I think I might have one spare left if you're really stuck.

 

[mad_mackem]

Hi all, thanks for your responses,

i have now got the stripped bolts out, well when i say i , i mean the local accident reapir shop (he wouldnt tell me how he did it!)

so now just to get the last stubborn star out.

Ally if you have got some spare bolts left that would be fantastic! i didnt realise they would be so difficult to get hold of!

 

[lacroupade]

Have a squint here...

http://stores.shop.ebay.de/P7777P__W0QQ_armrsZ1

or just search 'split rim bolts' on fleabay uk......

 

[Adam D]

Are the bolt not titanium and going to be a PITA to drill out?

 

[AlanJ]

Hi all, thanks for your responses,

i have now got the stripped bolts out, well when i say i , i mean the local accident reapir shop (he wouldnt tell me how he did it!)

so now just to get the last stubborn star out.

Ally if you have got some spare bolts left that would be fantastic! i didnt realise they would be so difficult to get hold of!

Ring Jon (Parts Advisor) at Cotswold BMW on 01452 872666 he has 2 from an old rim.

 

[z4wheels]

I'm having issues with corrosion on the wheels of my Z4. I have a Z4 'edition' sport which was a year old in June. I bought the car new but noticed a couple of months ago that the 5 spoke 18" wheels were corroding both on the outer rim and on the inside. I've taken this up with the dealership and they have been reviewed by the technical manager for BMW UK who said it has been caused by kerbing.

I have since complained to BMW Group who referred my complaint to BMW UK who refused to overturn the decision of the technical manager. There is no way the damage on my wheels could possibly have occured from kerbing since there is no evidence of scraping.

From reading the forum I note that a number of you have had a similar fight with BMW but did get your wheels replaced under warranty. Can I ask the date you had them replaced and the dealership who replaced them so that I can quote this in my follow up complaint to BMW.

I have a number of photos which clearly show the corrosion, they clearly think we're all stupid :headbang:

Thanks

 

[cj10jeeper]

z4wheels - welcome to the forum

You might like to visit the Newbie section and introduce yourself before the first post and asking for help.

It's normal also to open a new thread rather than potentially hijack someone else's related to refurbishment problems

As an aside - good luck - the dealer should really replace without question

 

[a11y]

Personally - given the background to the corrosion that can happen to this style of wheel - I think BMW shouldn't hesitate to replace wheels due to corrosion if there's no evidence of kerbing. If you had even the slightest bit of kerbing then yes, they could blame that, but you say you don't so really they should replace them.

 

[a11y]

Ally if you have got some spare bolts left that would be fantastic! i didnt realise they would be so difficult to get hold of!

Sorry, totally missed your post! I've only got the one bolt left but am happy to post if off to you if you need it. PM me your address if you want, I don't need any more spare bolts for 108s

 

[buttonmoon77]

Just as an aside to those people who might have corroded wheels that are looking a bit tired now and would like to get them refurbished, try following link

http://www.thewheelspecialist.co.uk/

I recently had my 18" elipsoidal's done and am more than impressed with the results. Dropped car off at 9am and picked it up at 4 pm. Full strip back to bare alloy, powder coat, finish of your choice and laquer seal. (plus chrome valve caps lol) all for £330. Look factory finished. Plenty of different finishes that will suit most tastes or simply have them the way they were. All curbing damage completely repaired.

Think they are nationwide, online quote on website.

 

[Rudd]

for a 108 refurb from those guys they quoted me £550!!

 

[cj10jeeper]

I'm glad you got the results you wanted buttonmoon77, but they are a really expensive company.

I think you are lucky to get out at that and no doubt because they are simple wheels and in a flat colour.

Perfect when you need to drop off and collect in a day