96 or 97 wheels ?

[Topawam]

Friend of mine got a set of wheels 96 or 97. He put Hoosier on them, so How to see if the rims are actually the 97 that can handle the grip? (I have seen the pictures of the broken 96 and do not want to see that again)
Thanks

 

[JiPi]

Here is a link for you:
http://vca2.viperclub.org/forums/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB14&Number=69311&Forum=UBB14&Words=96%20cast%2Fwelded%20wheel%20failure%20photos&Match=Entire%20Phrase&Searchpage=0&Limit=25&Old=allposts&Main=69311&Search=true#Post69311

From other posts:
"96: cast wheels. They don't polish as well as the 97's.
97: forged wheels. They polish up real bright."

"Early 1997 wheels - Are identical to 1996 wheels. Both can be identified by a weld bead behind the spokes around the inside of the wheel. Both could crack / break where the spokes meet the center hub "IF" tracking the car with higher than stock adhesion tires or possibly in street use if they were chromed. For some reason some chroming processes seem to weaken these cast wheels. "

Hope this helps.

 

[Topawam]

It helps a lot!!!
Thanks you very much, JiPi.
Btw, my friend lives on the otherside of the border, french Vosges...

 

[JiPi]

You welcome Topawam!

 

[Fred(DrivingSchool)Kinder]

Check any wheels for weld bead on cast wheels. It the drum is welded to the spoke section. The weld is on the outer edge of the drum/inner edge of spoke section. Easy to see and feel between spokes. Cast wheels have no weld. I bought what where supposed to be 97" wheels from a dealer and received cast wheels. They were returned and replaced.

 

[Topawam]

Thanks Fred, good tips to check those wheels on the car.