Post by: AlanHo on September 18, 2017, 15:23:17
(https://preview.ibb.co/ig5Qyk/Niro_A.jpg) (https://ibb.co/hADZr5)
I didn't like them so today I have he some new Dezent TC Dark rims fitted.
(https://preview.ibb.co/gMszPQ/Niro_New_Rims_2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/ncDTJk)
(https://preview.ibb.co/keA8Jk/Niro_New_Rims.jpg) (https://ibb.co/c4vKPQ)
I had the Michelin Energy Saver Tyres and the TPMS valves transferred to the new wheels. It cost me £600 including the fitting. I could have bought the rims over the internet for £440 delivered - but then I would have had the faff of getting them fiited and I couldn't be arsed.
I have sold the existing 4 rims and plastic covers For £250 - so I am happy with the overall cost
Post by: CraigB on September 18, 2017, 15:34:55
Post by: chris_i30gd on September 18, 2017, 15:58:51
Post by: Shambles on September 18, 2017, 16:29:03
What surprises me is the fact your originals had plastic covers, given what you paid for the Niro.
Post by: eye30 on September 18, 2017, 16:34:53
Post by: AlanHo on September 18, 2017, 17:00:13
They do look good.
What surprises me is the fact your originals had plastic covers, given what you paid for the Niro.
When I bought the car - the brochure stated the car had alloy wheels. Which is true - they are ugly black ones with pretty plastic covers. I didn't spot it until I first cleaned the car. A number of buyers - including me - complained they had been misled and the brochure now states alloy wheels with cover trims
I have seen claims that the wheels are aerodynamically designed to help economy. I am about to find out because, as you guys know, I keep accurate fuel economy records and I will be able to compare over several fills. It may well be true - because the Toyota Prius has also had wheel covers on some versions - as has a Honda hybrid.
Niros with 18" wheels do not have wheel covers but quite nice conventional alloys - and their economy is much worse than my car.
AS an aside I reported the change to my insurer today - they made a note for their records - but advised me that there will be no effect on my premium because I am changing one type of alloy for another of an approved manufacture. :goodjob2:
Post by: Dazzler on September 18, 2017, 21:52:33
The name of your new wheels is a bit confusing though! I thought you were starting a new trend with the spelling of decent to start with! :crazy1:
Post by: AlanHo on September 18, 2017, 22:39:24
Nice job Alan.
The name of your new wheels is a bit confusing though! I thought you were starting a new trend with the spelling of decent to start with! :crazy1:
I have ordered some Hub caps with KIA in silver on a gloss black backround.
Dezent wheels are made in Germany and are big there - making wheels for car manufacturers. Their own branded wheels comply with all the European regulations and auto specifications - many wheels on sale here produced by foreign firms, do not. I'm just being unduly cautious.
Post by: Dazzler on September 18, 2017, 22:48:38
Nice job Alan.
The name of your new wheels is a bit confusing though! I thought you were starting a new trend with the spelling of decent to start with! :crazy1:
I have ordered some Hub caps with KIA in silver on a gloss black backround.
Dezent wheels are made in Germany and are big there - making wheels for car manufacturers. Their own branded wheels comply with all the European regulations and auto specifications - many wheels on sale here produced by foreign firms, do not. I'm just being unduly cautious.
No flies on you Alan, can't even see where they have been!
Post by: John B on September 19, 2017, 02:09:38
Post by: Surferdude on September 19, 2017, 04:06:08
Post by: The Gonz on September 19, 2017, 11:15:25
Post by: Dazzler on September 19, 2017, 11:27:04
Oh, Alan, they're so cool. Just look at how much space there is to show off your new Brembo brake caliper covers!
Which are a must have for most 80 year olds... :D
Post by: CraigB on September 19, 2017, 11:31:50
Post by: AlanHo on September 20, 2017, 16:27:43
The fitter came out and used a breaker bar to undo the nuts on one wheel and a torque wrench set to 12 kg m to do them back up again. He then asked my to have a go at undoing them with my spider.
I couldn't no matter how much I huffed, puffed and grunted. Even swearing did no good.
He then handed me his breaker bar and I was able to undo them, albeit not without a bit of a struggle. I'm getting weak in my old age.
I used to do a party trick people found impressive. I would bend a quarter inch steel bar over my erect penis. I can't do it any more - my wrists have gone.
I didn't have the Niro manual in the car so when I got home I looked up the recommended torque setting - it was 11 to 13 kg m - so the guy was bang in the middle. Is there a universal standard for wheel nuts I wonder?
I have just ordered a 750 mm long breaker bar to keep in the car. it will fit nicely in the rear compartment of the boot floor support unit. Having bought a space-saver spare wheel to avoid having to use the gunk repair kit - it would be just my luck to be unable to undo the wheel nuts if I got a puncture.
Post by: eye30 on September 20, 2017, 16:35:59
Post by: Shambles on September 20, 2017, 16:42:58
:link: 17/19/21/23mm Extendable Telescopic Wheel Nut Wrench Brace Socket Car Van Truck | eBay (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/17-19-21-23mm-Extendable-Telescopic-Wheel-Nut-Wrench-Brace-Socket-Car-Van-Truck-/262037090995)
Post by: AlanHo on September 20, 2017, 16:57:06
I have used the wrench with the spare or a spider with a length of copper tube left by plumber.
Ah - but when you get a puncture miles from anywhere - I bet that copper tube isn't handy.
Anyway - you guys are a lot younger than me - I need all the leverage I can get.
That's enough torque on this subject - I'll get me coat.
(I should have started a new thread for this post titled "Guys - Check Your Nuts". That would have attracted some attention).
Post by: Surferdude on September 20, 2017, 20:51:56
It seems to me, there's something wrong when you can't undo the wheel nuts with whatever whel brace the vehicle manufacturer supplies.
Not that I'm suggesting you should use those dangerous bent angle things. :crazy1:
All that aside, you were smart to check them, Alan.
Post by: AlanHo on September 20, 2017, 22:42:10
The car does not come with a spare wheel or wheel wrench - instead it has one of those ghastly gunge inflation kits. This is why I bought a spare wheel, jack and 4 leg spider wrench which I find more effective. I am now adding a breaker bar for the reason given.
Post by: eye30 on September 20, 2017, 22:57:41
Post by: Dazzler on September 20, 2017, 22:58:11
I had trouble undoing the nuts on my Calais with a cross brace before I traded it. Even a Very cross brace wouldn't work!
I think I'll get a can of that gunk for if I get a puncture in the woop woop and rely on my road side assistance if closer to home (if I can't get my nuts loose.) :undecided:
Post by: Surferdude on September 20, 2017, 23:21:21
I do get some twinges occasionally so I guess the time is coming.......
When I was in high school most of us surfed.
Over the last few years the last two of my school friends have given up surfing, one due to shoulder issues about 10 years ago, the other more recently with knee problems. He has taken to riding a S.U.P. (Stand Up Paddle board).
So it would seem I'm the last of my breed, however there are still plenty around my age in the surf.
Post by: AlanHo on September 20, 2017, 23:29:53
A guy on the KIA forum had a puncture in the tread and used the gunk which did the business. But the wheel was then badly out of balance and, as instructed in the KIA owners manual, he went straight to a tyre shop for them to repair the tyre and remove the gunk. They flatly refused, claiming that if you use gunk you have to scrap the tyre.
Whether they were simply trying to take advantage I have no idea - but it was enough to put me off the gunk kit .
People who buy the PEHV version of the Niro cannot have a spare wheel unless they put it in luggage compartment. The wheel well under the boot floor is used for an extra battery or the 240 volt electrics- I'm not sure which. I do know the boot floor is fixed and you cannot gain access to what is underneath. Hence the owners of these cars have no choice - they have to use a gunk kit but where it is stored I have no idea.
Post by: Dazzler on September 20, 2017, 23:36:23
Post by: Surferdude on September 21, 2017, 00:58:34
I took a tube out of a 4WD once which had only been in there a week and I could literally tear the tube apart in my bear hands, like a piece of wet cardboard.
Luckily the owner was watching.
We tried to wash it out of a tubeless tyre one time. After half an hour we gave up.
Post by: Surferdude on September 21, 2017, 01:00:02
Post by: The Gonz on September 21, 2017, 01:50:32
Post by: mickd on September 21, 2017, 03:20:02
@Surferdude : I am gradually losing physical strength and have found that things I could do easily 20 years ago when I was 60, are now at best difficult and at worst impossible. Add angina to the mix and I am a poor old soul. As I said in my post my wrists have gone - which is not far from the truth. Arthur Righteous is creeping in.
The car does not come with a spare wheel or wheel wrench - instead it has one of those ghastly gunge inflation kits. This is why I bought a spare wheel, jack and 4 leg spider wrench which I find more effective. I am now adding a breaker bar for the reason given.
Al,
Try using the breaker bar, but, stand and use a leg - body weight will help.
I'm not 80 but I have 2 teded shoulders 😕
Post by: Surferdude on September 21, 2017, 03:33:25
You need to be careful doing this. Sometimes the nut will let go suddenly, dumping you on the ground and with the risk of damaging your leg, hip or back.@Surferdude : I am gradually losing physical strength and have found that things I could do easily 20 years ago when I was 60, are now at best difficult and at worst impossible. Add angina to the mix and I am a poor old soul. As I said in my post my wrists have gone - which is not far from the truth. Arthur Righteous is creeping in.
The car does not come with a spare wheel or wheel wrench - instead it has one of those ghastly gunge inflation kits. This is why I bought a spare wheel, jack and 4 leg spider wrench which I find more effective. I am now adding a breaker bar for the reason given.
Al,
Try using the breaker bar, but, stand and use a leg - body weight will help.
I'm not 80 but I have 2 teded shoulders 😕
Post by: mickd on September 21, 2017, 07:11:22
You need to be careful doing this. Sometimes the nut will let go suddenly, dumping you on the ground and with the risk of damaging your leg, hip or back.@Surferdude : I am gradually losing physical strength and have found that things I could do easily 20 years ago when I was 60, are now at best difficult and at worst impossible. Add angina to the mix and I am a poor old soul. As I said in my post my wrists have gone - which is not far from the truth. Arthur Righteous is creeping in.
The car does not come with a spare wheel or wheel wrench - instead it has one of those ghastly gunge inflation kits. This is why I bought a spare wheel, jack and 4 leg spider wrench which I find more effective. I am now adding a breaker bar for the reason given.
Al,
Try using the breaker bar, but, stand and use a leg - body weight will help.
I'm not 80 but I have 2 teded shoulders 😕
Yeah , true i revoke my hint.