Cracked D-Force wheel

**ken o** · 12-04-2010, 08:14 PM

I had two D-Force wheels crack on me today in the same place. The crack is all the way through. Has anyone else had this happen?

**craz azn** · 12-04-2010, 11:24 PM

Wow, I was waiting to see a thread like this pop up. During this summer, I witnessed an E30 go off in the last corner at Mosport, looped it, then proceeded to spear across the track and slid sideways into the pitwall (the Left rear corner took the grunt of the impact)... Just with that relatively light hit, both left side D Force wheels broke, just in the same place near the hub right through the spoke. I was disappointed to say the least, I wouldn't think a wheel should break from a light impact like that. I've seen Kosei K1s hold up better than that!

**99MPower** · 12-05-2010, 04:02 AM

that is honestly the first failure I've heard of for the d-force's

**T Smith** · 12-05-2010, 09:39 AM

Originally Posted by craz azn

Wow, I was waiting to see a thread like this pop up. During this summer, I witnessed an E30 go off in the last corner at Mosport, looped it, then proceeded to spear across the track and slid sideways into the pitwall (the Left rear corner took the grunt of the impact)... Just with that relatively light hit, both left side D Force wheels broke, just in the same place near the hub right through the spoke. I was disappointed to say the least, I wouldn't think a wheel should break from a light impact like that. I've seen Kosei K1s hold up better than that!

My opinion is if you have a bad off or any impact you should scrap the wheels! D Force wheels bend easy although i have not whitnessed one breaking like that!

**mmark.** · 12-05-2010, 09:41 AM

Ken.
Ok, but what is the life history of the wheels?

m

**clopez95m3** · 12-05-2010, 12:01 PM

Originally Posted by T Smith

My opinion is if you have a bad off or any impact you should scrap the wheels! D Force wheels bend easy although i have not whitnessed one breaking like that!

I believe Vern broke one also but I can't recall if he posted it here.

Carlos.

**ken o** · 12-05-2010, 01:07 PM

The wheels have mainly been used for autocross and about 5 - 10 track days with street tires (AD08, Star Specs). I have had about 4 sets of tires on the wheels. I have not had R6s on this set. I have a second set I run R6s on. I had one off that I remember and it was where I could not hold the turn and drove off and back on with no other damage.

I emailed Tom on Saturday. He already replied to me and even replied today (Sunday) WOW. I am shipping them back to him to inspect.

**1SlowSpec3** · 12-05-2010, 01:49 PM

I know there is a guy (dunno him personally or his name) but i normally run with MAV PCA in the dfw area and he (black two door e36 m3) i believe has had his D-Force wheels crack. Maybe someone around here knows him. ?

**dradernh** · 12-05-2010, 01:53 PM

Originally Posted by ken o

I emailed Tom on Saturday. He already replied to me and even replied today (Sunday) WOW. I am shipping them back to him to inspect.

Please keep us informed as to the results of Tom's inspection & his response to you.

**JClark** · 12-05-2010, 02:10 PM

Anything non-forged has a short service life. Wheels are consumables for track/race cars. That's why they're half the price of forged wheels, buy a set of spares to have with you.

**dradernh** · 12-05-2010, 02:19 PM

Originally Posted by JClark

Anything non-forged has a short service life. Wheels are consumables for track/race cars. That's why they're half the price of forged wheels, buy a set of spares to have with you.

+1 on the spares, whatever you're running.

The best bang-for-the-buck that I've found in forged in the 17X9 I run are Fikse Aros at $2720/set - which is why I went with disposables at D-Force's prices. I'm interested in Tom's response as I'd like to know just how disposable these are after having read the foregoing.

Has anyone observed these sorts of cracks (or any other show-stoppers) without offs? For example, does anyone think that the curb at the entry to the Bus Stop at the Glen will crack LTWs?

**not2quick** · 12-05-2010, 02:52 PM

Jeff N. had one break after being hit lightly by a C-mod car. It broke in that area as well. Kind of expected from a relatively inexpensive lightweight wheel though.

Like JClark said, consider it a cunsumable...

**kishg** · 12-05-2010, 03:47 PM

yeah carry spares, i have 2 sets of D-Force and haven't had issues yet. No worries with running over the kerb at the bus stop.

**elliott95** · 12-05-2010, 04:32 PM

Wow maybe i should keep my BBS vs buying two sets of D-force if they break.

**JClark** · 12-05-2010, 04:41 PM

If you keep it on the road, cast wheels will last you a very long time. I got 3+ years out of cast wheels by hitting every curb (Doug- including WGI bus stop curbing) I could find before a few started to bend. A hard hit will bend or break one but I don't know if I'd trust a forged wheel after a wreck either. For most people it's a budget restriction but if you can buy a few sets of forged wheels at once and you're sure your size requirements wont change for awhile, go for it.

**Brent 930** · 12-05-2010, 04:51 PM

For the most part these wheels will not brake under any normal circumstances. If you hit something then all bets are off, even with the expensive wheels. With that said, there isn't much reason for having really expensive wheels.

**wannabearacer** · 12-05-2010, 08:06 PM

I had one break just like that in a middle of a race at LRP this year. Barberic noise. Finished the race. Went to see Tom and went home with a new one.

I have eight of them and some are beat to crap and never have broken...just that one.

I would not say it is a constant problem with them and i think they are a good wheel.

i would buy more tomorrow in a heartbeat.

**E39SD** · 12-05-2010, 08:34 PM

Originally Posted by wannabearacer

Went to see Tom and went home with a new one.

Who is Tom?

**Volcom8190** · 12-05-2010, 09:08 PM

i think ill just get 2 more of the team dynamics wheels and repaint the old ones, cant afford to have wheels breaking like that on such a tight budget

**DBurke** · 12-05-2010, 09:24 PM

They don't crumble like a Saltine, it's not a low quality product by any means.

I personally have 16 of them, maybe 20, I forget. Anyhow they live on my rental which sees drivers ranging in skill level from the guys who tied for the Grand Am ST championship this year to first day track drivers and everything in between. Curbs? Yep. Offs? You bet, one was bent in a big off-track pothole at NHMS that has bent nearly every wheel that has ever gone through it.

Is this an epidemic? Nope. I've got them and I'd buy more tomorrow.

**Volcom8190** · 12-05-2010, 09:47 PM

Originally Posted by DBurke

They don't crumble like a Saltine, it's not a low quality product by any means.

I personally have 16 of them, maybe 20, I forget. Anyhow they live on my rental which sees drivers ranging in skill level from the guys who tied for the Grand Am ST championship this year to first day track drivers and everything in between. Curbs? Yep. Offs? You bet, one was bent in a big off-track pothole at NHMS that has bent nearly every wheel that has ever gone through it.

Is this an epidemic? Nope. I've got them and I'd buy more tomorrow.

oh i know that, i just cant afford to have that happen down the road (college student means small budget), in the end the TDs are cheaper, and so far were indestructible for me. guess im more paranoid than most

**lowside67** · 12-05-2010, 09:53 PM

I have 12 and have run them a few years now with no issues whatsoever including hundreds and hundreds of autox runs, many lapping days and time attacks, and two years hillclimbing. I would buy more anyday. You can break many of these wheels before it made sense to buy more expensive ones. Not sure who Tom is, I've bought all of mine from Terry at Vorshlag.

-Mark

**ken o** · 12-05-2010, 10:01 PM

I have two sets. The odd thing is that the other set has been used with R6s and track only without issues. This set was autocross and street tires. Seems like they would have less stress.

FYI - I have no issues with the wheels and would buy another set too.