Formula Dynamics wheels (4200, 2005 facelift)

[Delmonte]

Has anyone fitted these without problems? Or even with problems? I recently purchased a set (19 inch) brand new boxed & mint, albeit from a private seller.
I was somewhat miffed to find, despite being told otherwise, that the original bolts can’t be used and I had to buy a set of small head ones from Larini (£200) but was going to let this ride.

But I have since come across a bigger problem. The wheels themselves don’t fit the hubs. This is due to the 2 bolt heads that sit proud of the hubs on the mounting face (they hold the discs in I’m told by my indie). I’m not going to drill into the wheels!

The original wheels have deep recesses in the right place that accommodate these bolts. The FD ones have very shallow recesses that the bolt heads don’t fit inside, therefore wheels don’t fit the mounting face.

Larini, who sell these in the uk say they’re not aware of anyone having this problem, though of course not their problem as they didn’t sell me them.

The wheels seem totally legit and are in FD boxes. They are also wrong size to be Granturismo versions.

I know I can claim from the seller via PayPal if it comes to it.

I would however reach a solution and would like to get to bottom of the problem.

Are my hubs normal? Anyone fitted these? Anyone know about these wheels or the bolt heads in the hubs?

 

[azapa]

I think you should post three pictures:

1. Your hubs with discs and sticking out bolts
2. Back of original wheels, mounting area
3. Same, FD wheels

At a guess, you may need flusher fitting disk to hub bolts.

 

[CatmanV2]

Perhaps the disc mounting bolts have been changed in the past?

C

 

[TimR]

This isnt an unusual outcome...
I have a car with Team Dynamics Pro Race 1.3s fitted...
The cars alignment was off..it drove weird...!

When I removed them to sort the brakes first, I see the same issue ! The low profile bolt heads that act to locate the discs, arent essential. (But for me , they are - Can you imagine trying to fit a spare wheel roadside, with the car on a scissor jack, precariously buffetted about by passing HGVs a you struggle to get your disc to sit still long enough to start a wheel screw..? You get my drift! ) The previous owner had simply bolted the wheels on and crammed them up...on two hubs only though...! I started by turning down my own from S/S but quickly realised that the hex heads actually have a more fundamental tolerance problem..they cannot be fitted with the new wheel footprint !

I solved this quite easily by countersinking the disc and using M6 countersunk cap heads...One per wheel is sufficient.
Once the wheel bolts are snug ( 98 Nm IIRC), the discs are secure. The low profile bolt heads are fine with OEM wheels. You could simply remove the M6 bolts altogether to fit the FD wheels.....?

Hope it helps..

 

[BennyD]

I’ve had 18” FDs fitted for about 4 years and they are a perfect fit. All you do is take the bolts out of the disc face. The clamping pressure of the wheel bolts and the wheel bolts themselves keep the discs in place. The bolts are purely to keep the disc face flush when fitting the wheels and can easily be done without.

 

[mjheathcote]

Having the same 18" FD's as Benny, yes had to remove the bolts holding on the brake discs.
As said, the wheels and wheel bolts keep them in place.
Mine came with the smaller headed wheel bolts.
I think larini charging £200 for wheel bolts may have pulled your pants down at a tenner a bolt....unless stainless or titanium!

 

[Delmonte]

Thanks guys, sounds like my disc bolts are normal. I’m not happy about leaving the bolts out, this sounds like a nasty bodge that shouldn’t have to be done, I don’t want to be leaving out something like that that is an oem fitment. Can’t say I’ve ever known a car to be oem standard where the discs are only held by the wheel bolts?
Also Marios has recommended strongly I don’t do that, and that’s enough for me.

I would take pics but on holiday at moment. Will report back.

 

[Delmonte]

MJ yes I thought £200 was taking the p***, but thought I had no choice..

 

[mjheathcote]

The little bolts only stop the disc rotating out of position when the wheel is off the car, so they don't rotate out of position and cover up the tapped hole in the hub when using wheel bolts. If they do rotate out of position, you just rotate the disc back into position by hand before refitting the wheel. They do absolutely nothing when the wheel is bolted to the hub, the wheel bolts then stop the disc rotating.
Some cars just have a little counter sunk screw instead. Some cars with studs and nuts instead of using wheel bolts, have nothing from the factory as you slide the disc brake over the wheel studs.
It really is no big deal.

 

[philw696]

Spot on Mike couldn't agree more.
Had to do the same on my first 4200 when I fitted the Team Dynamics Motorsports wheels.
Saves weight so she will go Faster.