Rusted nipples oo err Mrs

Swell

Swell

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Hello all, my 2014 GSA has rusty spoke nipples front and rear. I’m looking at replacing them with stainless ones. What I’d like to know is what’s the torque setting for the nipples. I plan to replace them one at a time so as not to distort the wheel integrity. Has anyone had any experience at this sort of thing? All guidance greatly received.

Many thanks
Simon.
 
You can’t just leave it there. Where’s the pain going to be encountered?
 
To put it simply it is an utter B*stard of a job, it is why only 2 or so of all the companies in the UK who rebuild wheels will touch BMW wheels.

If you can get them apart and get the old spoke nipples out of the hub then you will struggle to true them up , have a look at this site www.drwheelbuilding.com
 
In the repair DVD there is a chapter handling replacement of broken spokes.


It says the following:


Tightening the Nipple:

First time torque: 1 Nm

Second time torque: 4 Nm


Grubscrew: Add lock tight, then 2 Nm.
 
OK maybe I’ll just have to put up with rusty nipples. £762 for a pair of wheels to be refurbed is eye watering. I only need spoke and nipple replacements then true-ing I don’t need blasting and powder coating, the rims are ok or is this just a justification for a very high price.
 
I had a wheel out of true, there was no visible corrosion, and have experience from years ago,
The drillings in the rim and hub had corroded internally to make it a very difficult and time consuming job,
The leave well alone comments are justified,, its a mammoth task ,
The few wheel builders that do the cross spoke wheels generally charge on a time spent basis,
Spending time cleaning the nipples and painting would be fiddly but an easier option,
 
If you're not off-roading, buy a second hand set of GS Alloy Wheels and be done with the spokes liability.

Thats what I did and NO REGRETS
 
It’s a long winter and I’m a patient tinkerer with lots of time. I’ll be removing the wheels and changing the rubbers so I’ll have a crack at them then. I’m not far from Central wheels and they’ve done some custom work for me before so I can call them for guidance should I need any.
Cheers.
 
Spoke straws are the answer :D

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Swell said:
It’s a long winter and I’m a patient tinkerer with lots of time. I’ll be removing the wheels and changing the rubbers so I’ll have a crack at them then. I’m not far from Central wheels and they’ve done some custom work for me before so I can call them for guidance should I need any.
Cheers.
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Good luck with Central Wheels. I had my wheels refurbished by them and they made a terrible job of them.

The representative I spoke to at the NEC told me that once the rims were powder coated they would be "as smooth as glass" and when they came back and I complained about the finish he lied and denied that he had ever said that.

Wouldn't touch them with a barge pole.
 
Goldfinger said:
Good luck with Central Wheels. I had my wheels refurbished by them and they made a terrible job of them.

The representative I spoke to at the NEC told me that once the rims were powder coated they would be "as smooth as glass" and when they came back and I complained about the finish he lied and denied that he had ever said that.

Wouldn't touch them with a barge pole.
Click to expand...

Interesting. I’ve had 4 wheels, new rims new spokes, for classic bike done by them, including powder coating the hubs and they were absolutely perfect.
 
The biggest problem you will have is the nipples have to be totally free on the spokes and in the hub,
You wont get in to clean the nipple bores without taking the spokes out , they can be corroded in tight as well,,
You will need an accurate flange to mount the rear rim to as access the nipples on bike isnt possible,
A dti gauge and lots of time, and a balancer frame, are essential,
the adjustment is nothing like centre laced rims which are a doddle in comparison,
Best of luck,
 
iandavid said:
Interesting. I’ve had 4 wheels, new rims new spokes, for classic bike done by them, including powder coating the hubs and they were absolutely perfect.
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That's what I was hoping for.

When I complained all they would say was that they powdercoated the rims I supplied.

Instead of being "smooth as glass" as promised they look more like craters on the surface of the moon.

Had I known I would not have wasted over £500 on them.

Unfortunately they were dropped off and collected by a mate who works nearby so by the time I got them it was a done deal.

It rubbed salt n the wound when the man I dealt with lied even though he said it in front of several of my mates I have been done up like a kipper.
 
Goldfinger said:
The representative I spoke to at the NEC told me that once the rims were powder coated they would be "as smooth as glass" and when they came back and I complained about the finish he lied and denied that he had ever said that.
Click to expand...

So when he said "...do you expect me to talk?"

You said ".... No Mr Wheels, I expect you to die!"
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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