What a surprise found when mounting new tires. Help needed.

Mad Max · Apr 30, 2012

Bought some new tires for my 98 GTS. While watching from a distance the tech mounting the new tires I could sense something wasn't quite right. He showed me what he had found. It appears at somepoint in my Vipers life someone attempted to balance the wheels by drilling holes in them. Both rears were like this. See the pics. The tech said he had never seen anything like this before and he has done numerous Vipers over the years. I'm not too keen on keeping these wheels on the car. Looks like it would weaken the wheel. Anyone seen anything like this before?

If anyone has 2 98 rear oem wheels that they no longer need and would like to help me out here please let me know.

Thanks!!

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Steve M · Apr 30, 2012

Whoa...I don't think I've ever seen something like that. Strike that...I know I've never seen anything like that.

johniew398 · Apr 30, 2012

That is the dumbest thing I have ever heard.

Allan · Apr 30, 2012

That is the stupidest thing I have ever seen. Yes that will weaken the wheel. Perfectly dumb on a car like the Viper. For your own safety, please replace the wheels.........wow.... :omg:

Vipertastic · Apr 30, 2012

Balancing the wheel and saving weight at the same time?

mbccenter · Apr 30, 2012

I do have some brand new ones in the box and some used ones.

Mad Max · Apr 30, 2012

PM just sent.

GTS-R 001 · May 1, 2012

I believe I heard from a well known Viper guy that that is what was done at one time to balance the wheels (at the factory)

JohnnyViper · May 1, 2012

omg thats nuts, i hope the factory didnt do that

Bill Pemberton Woodhouse · May 1, 2012

Checked and not something ever, ever done at the factory , so squelch that ridiculous rumor.

VYPR BYT 94 · May 1, 2012

That actually looks like something that was likely done in a machine shop environment.
Did the previous owner have a machine shop? They do that sort of thing to balance custom tooling etc.

GTS-R 001 · May 1, 2012

Bill Pemberton Woodhouse said:
Checked and not something ever, ever done at the factory , so squelch that ridiculous rumor.

Not a rumor Bill,

I remember I had bought some new in the box 5 spoke rims way way back, and when the box was opened after I sold them to a guy in the UK, the wheels had the same sort of thing on them, at the time checked with Chuck Tator and he had said he had seen that before on new never touched wheels. maybe it wasn't done at the factory, but it was definitely done somewhere.

Here is a "piece" of an email he sent me

"Hi Got the wheel about 2 weeks ago for the viper and was going to get it fitted today only to discover that there are about 20 holes about 8mm x 12mm deep drilled out of the inner edge of the outer rim."

"Hi there thanks for getting back to me.Everything is fine. Chuck Tator the Viper Wizard on seeing the pictures I sent to him came back to me confirming that sometimes this was how the wheel was balanced at the factory. At first sight on seeing all the holes I was concerned but all is well. Wheel will be on car tomorrow."

Jeebs · May 1, 2012

That sounds and looks crazy, but I can see the logic in it. Not saying I agree with it though. It would save on putting a lot of wheel weights on the rim though.

Mad Max · May 1, 2012

VYPR BYT 94 said:
That actually looks like something that was likely done in a machine shop environment.
Did the previous owner have a machine shop? They do that sort of thing to balance custom tooling etc.

No, I spoke to the previous owner about it, he said it had to of been done before he got the car. He is the second owner and I believe him.

Voodoo Rob · May 1, 2012

Looks like a process to correct out of spec wheels. I have heard of this done for custom tooling applications too.

Steve-Indy · May 1, 2012

Bottom line...get new rear wheels, and make a set of coffee tables out of those wheels ASAP !!

Mad Max · May 2, 2012

Ok, so who has 2 1998 rear wheels to sell?

Thanks!!

Luke@tirerack · May 2, 2012

I have never seen anything like that done to a wheel ... I wouldn't trust it if it was my car

Steve-Indy · May 2, 2012

Agree...reminds me of the perforations on a postage stamp...may serve same function with stress or sudden heavy load.

MTGTS · May 2, 2012

Considering they've probably been like than for almost 15 years I wouldn't worry about it unless you track your car.

mbccenter · May 2, 2012

pics sent

Boxer12 · May 2, 2012

What he said ~ Never use stock wheels to track your car anyway. Don't worry about it.

Steve-Indy · May 5, 2012

Mad Max, do you have a wheel deal yet??

If not, I would suggest that you re-post in R/T 10 section for more exposure.

AviP · May 5, 2012

GTS-R 001 said:
"Hi there thanks for getting back to me.Everything is fine. Chuck Tator the Viper Wizard on seeing the pictures I sent to him came back to me confirming that sometimes this was how the wheel was balanced at the factory. At first sight on seeing all the holes I was concerned but all is well. Wheel will be on car tomorrow."

Sometimes I wonder if "Chrysler Engineering" is an oxymoron! It's usually when I look at that huge Gen 2 hood that weighs 3 times more than it should. And then of course, there are those oversized wheelwells that put my Ram to shame.

Regards,
-Avi
1997 Viper GTS

Steve-Indy · Jun 9, 2012

Mad Max is STILL LOOKING for a matching set of 1998 rear wheels (might consider full set of 4) !!! Anyone ready to sell???

GTLaser · Jun 10, 2012

I have a full set I pulled off my '01, only have 8k miles on them. Tires need to be removed also. Send me a PM if interested.

DrumrBoy · Jun 10, 2012

MTGTS said:
Considering they've probably been like than for almost 15 years I wouldn't worry about it unless you track your car.

Like MT says, they should be OK for the street.....I appreciate the peace-of-mind benefit of changing them though.

I wonder why the attempt at balancing didn't involve adding some metal rather than removing some. it would have been pretty easy to figure the balance using weights and adhesive and then putting a tiny weld to keep the weight permanently in place.

mattdillon · Jul 13, 2012

WOW, I've NEVER seen anything like that! But, I agree with some of the other guys, they're probably good for the street just not the track. Haven't you been driving with them like that for awhile already anyway. jmo

Steve-Indy · Jul 16, 2012

Happy to hear that Mad Max got a set of wheels !!

What a surprise found when mounting new tires. Help needed.

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