Supremes coming apart...yikes!

I've heard about guys welding reinforcement plates to the rear of the spoke because they used to break off.

Here's what happened to me today.

Check out how the backing plate that USED to be welded behind the spokes is now in between the spokes.

YIKES! This broke while driving down the road today. Luckily it was a city street and I was going slow.

 

WTF? Are those made by US Wheels?

 

I'm assuming these did not have the extra plate in the back? That is scary though, you must be living right! You could've been strolling down the interstate when it let go

 

Go buy a Lotto ticket, today is the day for you.

 

Yikes! I thought the rumors of these breaking were just bullshit. Is this a new wheel, or an old one? Do you know who the maker is? How did the center not come out of the hoop?

 

There is something to hang on a wall!

 

Time to shop for a different brand of wheels! Wow! How does this happen? You weren't doing a holeshot on slicks or anything, so what gives?

 

Wow! glad to hear you and the car are ok. That could have been messy.

 

The wheel is still attached to the car though, right?

Can you take a pic from the back of the wheel when it's off the car?

I have Supremes of some sort on my Merc and would like to know what to match out for.

 

I was just looking at getting a set for a project, if I run them this will be in the back of my head... steelies are looking a little better right now.

 

I wasn't doing anything but driving down the road.

The wheels are an old set that came with a wagon I bought about 4yrs ago.

They don't have a name brand.

Scary shiiiiit.

 

wow thats put my choise of rim on the shelf. can you say what brand so others wont get hurt. glad your ok

 

They don't have a brand name anywhere. Only stamping says 15 x 6


Here's a shot of the backside. The whole center section moved over a couple of inches. I bet if I gave the center section a good kick it would fall right through since it's now just wedged in the wheel.

 

Wow i hope mine don't do the same when i get my coupe on the road!I have a slick on mine so now i may be looking for a different set to run.

 

looks like they never welded the spoke to the rim!

the spoke should be welded to the rim first then the plate for reinforcement, im glad this did happen to you on the highway.

 

dont know what to say....wow is the only thing that comes to mind

kind like the staples commercial, WOW that was a good deal.

 

That's a good point - obviously the center is chromed first - looking at the back of the rim, how could they weld the center to the rim with enough penetration to do the job, without ruining the chrome? Are they all made this way?

 

Are spinner wheels traditional ?

 

....... x2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

they are already chromed when they are put together. i have seen them crack the hub from were the spoke is welded to the hub many times but never seen one come apart like that. i have seen some that are tagged as being for show use only not for the streets

 

looks like only the edges of the plates were welded and over time could flex and finally! BANG!
ohh well it must have been Monday!

 

Mine are welded in the same fashion as these kinda makes me leary about running mine now!
Mine aren't welded in the inside of the spoke either.

 

Holy shit! I had a set with reinforcement plates on my 3/4 ton 54 pickup but still did not have a good feeling about them even with the reinforcements. Glad I pulled them now.

 

I heard that they are made differently now because this was a semi-common failure for these wheels. Any truth in that?

 

That would explain the lack of manufacturer or brand name on the wheels.

 

You are a lucky pup.

 

I've heard that new Supremes are made better. I sure hope they are. You are one lucky man.

 

This isn't a CRACK is it?

 

Glad to hear you're OK Goozgaz. This is just proof to anyone interested in welding that the first thing to achieve is penetration and not just a clean bead.