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  View original topic: Empi Split rim O rings needed
Lids Fri Oct 28, 2005 9:11 am

I am looking to see if anybody has the original O ring for either the 5 spoke or 8 spoke wheels.

I know a company that will make a repo if they have an original to take a pattern from. My friends and I need 20 O rings and this is the only way we can do this.

We don't want to run tubes and we want to restore these wheels to perfect condition. We would also be happy to supply you with a set of spares as part of the deal.

I am based in the UK, I am a honest guy, ask thornton or restojohnny about me.

cheers

Dave Fri Oct 28, 2005 12:48 pm

I can also vouch for the guy. I sold him an EMPI item on e-pay, and I had the $$ in what seemed like nanoseconds, Western Onion Money Order, it was like 3 days after he won the bid, and BAM! the Money Order was in the mailbox.
Michael, if I had any, I'd send 'em toy you. But I don't, sorry.

DaveM Fri Oct 28, 2005 12:55 pm

My machinist friend has always said he could order me a stock O-ring that big. Measure it and search on-line probably at a machine supply place or possibly under 'hydraulics'.

Let's see, if I needed to buy o-rings to fit on all my empi 5 spoke rims, I'd need like 16 or so of them :shock:


by the way, if you find any *NOS* rings, I wouldnt use them as their age will make them useless.

Lids Fri Oct 28, 2005 3:05 pm

DaveM had no intention of using original rings. Do you know if O rings have different profiles etc? 16 O rings! I'm almost there i need 11 :) and my two mates need 9. Looks like all the split rims are heading over to blighty

Dave C, sticker arrived this morning. thanks. It now sits next to all my other bits in my computer room, so i can stare at it all day long. :)

Bruce Fri Oct 28, 2005 10:49 pm

Guys, this is an extremely simple problem to solve. All you have to find out is what was the original cord dia used for the original O-rings. Then go down to your local hydraulic hose supplier, or industrial equipment store and get a roll of O-ring cord the size you need.

Then what you do is cut the cord to the right length and glue the ends together. This may sound like a foolish way to make an O-ring, but this is how it is done in the industry. You can buy a special hose/o-ring chopper that will make a perfectly square cut. Then you glue it with Super Glue/Krazy glue. They will even have the glue at the O-ring store.

Lids Sat Oct 29, 2005 1:08 am

thanks bruce, will try and give this a go.

If anybody can supply any more info in the mean time , it would be much appreciated.

Bruce Sat Oct 29, 2005 11:23 am

Once you have the new O-rings in there and the halves are bolted together tight, I'd run a bead of silicone RTV over the split to seal it even better. This is what is done to ERCO spun wheels. Even though the two halves are completely welded, a bead of RTV is run over top of the weld.

Lids Wed Nov 02, 2005 3:07 pm

have found two original o rings, after taking apart 10 wheels. We are now going to get a local firm to make some for us, and try one of them out to see if the tyre stays inflated.

if these work, will anybody be interested in getting some?

Bruce Fri Nov 04, 2005 12:17 am

Do you know how that local firm is going to make them?

Hint: I know.

Lids Sat Nov 05, 2005 3:05 am

4mm diameter rubber chord, glued together, can't see the join.

beakerthemuppet Sun Nov 06, 2005 1:34 pm

Quote: Let's see, if I needed to buy o-rings to fit on all my empi 5 spoke rims, I'd need like 16 or so of them show off :wink: I only need another 9

If anyone knows of any OG empi 5's in porsche pattern for sale let me know :) I mates with lids so you can take me as being honest :wink:

Skim Fri Nov 11, 2005 9:50 pm

LOL. Paul Fonseca has 5 porsche patern 2 piece. Looks like you need his 5th

Lids Sat Nov 12, 2005 2:15 am

2 more on there way, one to be chromed (make set of 4), and the other to be restored in gold (set of 5)

beakerthemuppet Mon Nov 28, 2005 2:06 pm

any of you guys know what wheel nuts would be best to bolt my 5's to my bug........running disc's up front in 5x130 and rear drums in 5x130......length and spec would be cool

Lids Wed Jan 04, 2006 3:31 am

Okay guys, o rings for 8 spokes and 5 spokes are different diameters.

Have a few left over, if you are interested drop me a pm.

Simon uk Wed Jan 04, 2006 5:57 am

beakerthemuppet wrote: any of you guys know what wheel nuts would be best to bolt my 5's to my bug........running disc's up front in 5x130 and rear drums in 5x130......length and spec would be cool

Hi Beaker, I recently fitted some "obscure" wheels to my car, and Street Style and Custom sorted me out really well. They also have the bolt collars in stock which you will need on original empis, and for a good price too.

Measure the bolt holes for width and depth, they will do the rest.

Si.

Denz Wed Feb 17, 2010 2:55 pm

Lids wrote: have found two original o rings, after taking apart 10 wheels. We are now going to get a local firm to make some for us, and try one of them out to see if the tyre stays inflated.

if these work, will anybody be interested in getting some?

Hey Lids, resurrecting an old thread, did you get the o rings sorted? I've got a set of original Empi 5 split rims and need to source some.

Any help would be appreciated.

Cheers,

Denz

Lids Thu Feb 18, 2010 12:37 am

i only have 8 spoke ones, try and get hold of spennyp on vzi, he sourced some 5's. got a load made not sure if he still has anything to do with VW's, but worth a shout.

kafer60 Tue Apr 06, 2010 3:42 pm

I used bulk o-ring material on my 5 spokes and they hold air great without tubes or silcone. I had mine chromed as well.

vwjim Sun Sep 04, 2011 11:01 am

Anyone know what the torque setting would be for the bolts that hold the two halves of the rims together?

Also, should there be a washer under the nut?

Thanks.



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