Purchased a reproduction comfort grip wheel, while pushing car around my garage by hand, outer rim of wheel broke off center spokes. Rims are 17x8 with 245/40 the norm on this site,don't think would have happened with GM wheel. It didn't take much to brake.

Wheel was bought from Rick's (not vendor bashing) believe brand to be OER, I'll varify with Rick's I can't remember off hand.

I'm just sharing this info for the safety of other Team camaro members. I wouldn't want to be in a car accident with this wheel. Wheel is nice but should be used for car shows only. I'm not the safety police but I can't see it being safe.

If any one wants to pass this on to a moderator I think it's of interest.

Here are some pics, seems to be made of potmetal, lots of little nooks and crannies.


http://community.webshots.com/myphotos?action=showPhoto&albumID=548185547&photoID=2674794870086607076&security=EvuVEj
http://community.webshots.com/myphotos?action=showPhoto&albumID=548185547&photoID=2952952540086607076&security=FuIEtJ

You shouldn't be able to seperate the rim from the spokes no matter how hard you pull on it. That's bad!

The power of the Internet has yet exposed another cheap foreign imitation that has the possibility to be a real danger in an accident. Thanks I'll add that to my list of JUNK.

WOW!! :eek: That is really dangerous.

If you have a minute, go here and post up your experience so it's archived for others to see:

http://www.camaros.net/reviews/showcat.php?cat=5

Good thing you weren't going down the highway and that happened. Another example of poor quality control.

68 VT, what brand was your wheel? Was it a Grant? jack

I called Rick's today at 12:30 but it was on auto orders. I'll call on Mondy and let you know, checked my receipt but no mention. Almost 100% sure it's OER brand.

To clarify one thing, when turnig wheel spokes broke in a 1-2 sequence the third I pulled of by hand, real easy. I'm not Superman. I can't believe at $250.00 It couldn't be better, a little mad. I never in my life had this happen before with what ever make of car or aftermarket wheel. I have had Grants before with no known problem.

That's not good. I don't know if i would want another one of those or not. I hope it's just a problem with that one, bu these are made in batches I am sure, so you could get the same piece of junk again. I was wanting one of those too.

I think I will go with grant.

Joe

I am glad you posted that...I was at Ricks today and almost purchased one of those. Guess I'll keep looking.

Here's the update I promised

I spoke with Rick's and they told me that the wheel is made by Muscle Car in CA it's not by OER.

I then contacted Muscle Car and explained what happened. They were shocked about the news. They told me that the outer rim is welded to the center spokes, that explains why the cracked area looked like potmetal. They have been making these wheels for around 12 years, he says this is the first time he has heard of anything like this.

They were very nice, helpful and wanted to keep a customer happy by offering to replace the wheel even without me asking. So I took them up on the offer of course, but still not sure if I'll use it on car, maybe for wall decoration?

The reason I posted was just for a heads up. My wheel could have been a fluke - Lucky Me! I’m not trying to bad mouth the company but I had to let you guys know. Good Luck

Did they want the old one back to examine the failure? Big red flag if they didn't...

That's what I was thinking. You would assume they would want the wheel back to figure out what the hell went wrong. Sounds kind of fishy,

"Been making them for 12 years, never heard of this problem, but here is a free one for calling us. Thanks, have a nice day!"

Never fails,, you have to be the only person in the world with that problem, and they don't ask for the old part? This type of stuff needs to have the SEMA stamp on it.

That grant wheel is looking better the more I read this. Glad you got good customer service though, but I think Ricks should have taken care of you on it.

Joe

Ok, when I first posted I was trying to keep this as clear and informative as possible. After submitting it always felt like I forgot something, and I should be more careful as you guys are real good at catching what I always forget.

When I spoke with Muscle Car I offered to send a picture of the wheel as proof, they didn't want it but wanted me to send rim and spoked area for inspection. They were also trying to pin point when it was made by my purchase date. I have seen other products in catalogs from them. I now think I find myself defending them, but I'm not, just trying to be fair to all.

Basically whatever you decide to use be cautious of the product and if it doesn't feel or look right maybe it's better off not used, especially the important items. I hope this answered all your questions.

Thanks for that last post 68 VT - Some of the guys here mean well but live to find fault without facts...

68VT, I wouldnt install that new wheel, or hang it on the shop wall...you could always send it to me. I need one bad.