wheel restore virgin

[Dylan_M]

Well guys this will be my first ever wheel restore and I will definitely be needing some guidance and help! I have been searching months for some wheel setup that was unique and was to my liking. I was planning on getting some Shakotans just because of the style and it was different. Then I stumble upon a pair of wheels in CA that were my bolt pattern surprisingly, and they were very unique. Talked to the guy that had them and bought them right away. Here are a few pics








These wheels if you dont know are, Enkei Ek26's there 15x8 offset unknown, and is rebarreled with a 3inch lip. As you guys can see some of them are in pretty rough shape, but im sure it is all fixable. I have experience with curb rash and feel like i can fix most of it myself. The only things im not sure how i will go about fixing is the dent on the outer lip, then the two gouges on the lip it-self and the scratch up face. So anyone who can give me some advice or ideas, please do! Also here is the platform it will be going on from last summer setup to how it sits now







This is my 2003 hyundai elantra gls, static with k-sport coils. So I will keep updating here on progress i have and troubles i run into lol My main plans for the Enkeis are white faces, black bolts and the lip fully polished. I am getting started asap, so stay tuned and leave comments and advice please! Thanks guys

[iamjosan]

These wheels remind me of sawblades. Pretty interesting choice for a car. Hopefully you get some good poke outta those wheels and you slam the hell outta ur car

[180roman]

What you need is someone with a TIG welder who can weld alloy.

They will fill the big dings and missing chunks with fresh alloy weld and then you just have to grind and sand it back down into shape.

[Dylan_M]

Well already ran into to my first problem! Test fitting my wheels right now and the rear cleared the brake and fit perfect, went to the front and it hits the brake caliper..just my luck. Heres a couple pics.



The rear.


And where the wheel hits..



So is there anything i can do to make these fit??? Possibly different calipers maybe or maybe even cutting that section and grinding it down? Always my luck! Please help!

[Crankey]

How much interferince is there at the calipers ?
Grind a little off the carrier and/or add a spacer there ?

The rims are pritty cool, most twist wheels don't have mirrored spoke so half of them look ass backwards and that is LAME !

Yes, it would be real handy to have a got welded to touch up some of the dings...then carefully carve the weld dobs down to match the shape.

[Dylan_M]

The wheel doesnt even sit flush against the hub. But im grinding it down right now i think im getting close. Its hard to tell cause i cant really see how much further, just gunna grind it down till its flush on the hub. Yeah i love these wheels! I just really hope i can run them.

[nellydragracer]

Personally I'd use a spacer, as the idea of grinding material off my brakes doesn't sit very well with me.

[Dylan_M]

i would use spacers but then ill have to run them all around and it already pokes a decent amount. Plus i used spacers in the past and almost lost a wheel going down the highway. If grinding it down doesnt work then i might just have to get rid of them

[Dylan_M]

So i stopped trying to grind it down, because i would have to literally get it paper thin. So i dont want to give up on these wheels, so im considering spacers for the front. Ill probably run a 5mm spacer in the fronts to clear the brakes. What do you guys think? And has anyone haf experience with 5mm spacers?

[scotto]

5mm spacers are no problem, I've been running those on front and back of my Magnum for 2 years with stock studs.

[Crankey]

bolt the wheel on with washers to figure out how thick of a spacer you need.

maybe I should have been more specific...if the wheel was just scrubbing a little, then it could be ok to grind off a little on that caliper carrier, but not more than 1-2mm. but otherwise ytou need a spacer.

I've been running a 3/16" spacer up front and about a 5/8" spacer on the back for years and no issues at all. just make sure you get enough turns on your lugs. you might need longer wheel bolts. make shure you get the right ones for the wheel, cone or ball seat. take the wheel to the tire shop if you can't tell yourself.

[Dylan_M]

Yeah i probably grinded down more than i should have. But yes i will definatly get the washers to be exact, i was thinking about just getting 3mmmy hubcenttic spacers and possibly extended lug studs. But ill do more tinkering and examining tomorrow and go from there.