VRS wheels on 1.4 16v

LouisTsui · 12-07-2005, 03:26

Hi all,

My long search of cheap alloys to replace 14" steel wheels will soon be over!!!!

I am about to get a set of 2nd hand VRS wheels for my 1.4 16v, this Friday. Although they cost way over my 150 pounds budget, I don't care as I know they will surely look geat on my Fabia. So few newbie questions:

1. How difficult it is to replace wheels myself (2 hands, no help)? I saw someone replacing wheel by a road, it seems a pain in the *** to me. I got a feeling that wheel wounldn't come off even with all nuts unscrewed, and I am so scare that the jack will slip if I force it.

2. Can I reuse those locking wheel nuts/bolts off my 14" steel wheels?

3. How much a Garages will likely to charge me for this kind of job? Just in case I fed up with all this hassle. lol

vanagonjon · 12-07-2005, 04:27

1. Time consuming
2. The nuts are for steel or alloy
3. Difficult to say spose it depends if they are busy??

Mil · 12-07-2005, 06:08

It isn't difficult. Jack the car up and do it like you're changing all four wheels with four 'spares'. Straight swap.

**TaviaRS** · 12-07-2005, 06:45

Piece of cake, I can do 4 swaps in under 20 minutes

If you are worried about it coming off the jack, put your spare wheel under the edge of the car so it doesn't fall all the way to the ground, you then have a chance to re-jack it.

I wouldn't get a garage to do it, it sounds like you need the practice

As for the bolts, they may be a different length, I'm sure someone will advise on that.

Oh, and I reckon it will look good

Mil · 12-07-2005, 06:47

Just make sure when you fit those awesome wheels, the tyre and wheel combination will add up to the same size as your 14" with those fat tyres.

Fabia 12v · 12-07-2005, 08:01

I changed my standard wheels to vRS alloys.... really easy to do yourself.... like everyone mentioned stick a wheel under the side of car just incase it slips.

Bolts will work fine with alloys however you will need to get yourself one set of locking bolts to prevent theft and also dont forget the little silver dustcaps for the bolts, cant help you with part numbers but dealer will know what you want.

Wheels will look ace on your car, just look in my gallery for example... thats comfort to vRS wheels there.

Just be sure to have same rolling radius at the end.

mikejay · 12-07-2005, 09:42

if the jack dose slip and the spare is not under it, you will still be able to get the jack under it again, because your legs that are now wedged under your car will create enough space. lol

ScoobyChris · 12-07-2005, 10:54

And don't forget to slacken the wheel nuts before you jack the car up and don't tighten them fully until the car is back on the ground, otherwise it will likely rock off the jack!!!

Chris

LouisTsui · 12-07-2005, 16:01

Many thanks for all the advise. I shall give it a go and do it myself, can't wait about it.

LouisTsui · 12-07-2005, 16:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fabia 12v

I changed my standard wheels to vRS alloys.... really easy to do yourself.... like everyone mentioned stick a wheel under the side of car just incase it slips.

Bolts will work fine with alloys however you will need to get yourself one set of locking bolts to prevent theft and also dont forget the little silver dustcaps for the bolts, cant help you with part numbers but dealer will know what you want.

Wheels will look ace on your car, just look in my gallery for example... thats comfort to vRS wheels there.

Just be sure to have same rolling radius at the end.

WAW, your fabia look awesome!!! clean and shiningly. Those vrs wheels look way better than comfort wheel, which I am currently having them on my fabia.

Fabia 12v · 12-07-2005, 16:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by LouisTsui

WAW, your fabia look awesome!!! clean and shiningly. Those vrs wheels look way better than comfort wheel, which I am currently having them on my fabia.

cheers m8

LouisTsui · 19-07-2005, 19:33

Yeah. it is fitted! Took me almost 3 hours. I had to jack the fabia very high in order to remove those steel wheels, and the jack didn't look stright up made me feel very scary, my heart beats very fast while I tried just to jack 0.5cm higher to fit VRS wheel (bigger). I think how to initiate the jack position is really important.

Bought myself a torque wrench, so nuts are not over tighten.

My Fabia 1.4 16v Comfort look way way better than it was, even my girl friend start to like my Fabia!!! need I say more?

Conti tyres up front, Toyo tyre (nearly new) at the back. These tyres are much quiet than those Michelin on steel wheels. Travel on Motorway (NSL +10mph) is more comfortable now, more stable, less rocky. Deal to low profile tyres, body rolling is reduced a lot, I am now able to attack corner more confident at high speed. I tested on A57 and those complex B roads around lake district.

Well, downside is that acceleration is much harder than it was. I won't shift up until rev is up to 3-3.5k rpm now. Rev even higher to shift from 4th to 5th. I floor the petal more often now

, hope Fabia's engine is reliable enough.

I am very very happy with this upgrade, as I travel on motorway a lot, almost 99%.

PS: Chris, thx for selling those wheels to me, they are fab.

devonutopia · 19-07-2005, 19:36

One thing that might suffer then is economy, but I just think "stuff it!"

Fitting 17s to my old TDI in standard form caused a 15-20% drop in economy.

Grant · 20-07-2005, 23:12

Just out of curosity, what torqueness (sp?) should the wheel nuts be tightened to?

LouisTsui · 20-07-2005, 23:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grant

Just out of curosity, what torqueness (sp?) should the wheel nuts be tightened to?

120 Nm

Grant · 20-07-2005, 23:38

Cheers.

devonutopia · 20-07-2005, 23:40

For me its "until the wrench won't go round anymore" - then "one last final shove"

Not had a wheel bolt fall / rattle out yet, and neither had any sticky removal issues too.

richielee14 · 21-07-2005, 02:16

hmmm I need a set of these aswell lol.... I thought that if you change the wheels yourself, you need to get it balanced, else one of the tyres may wear out quicker than the other? Or is balancing to do with something else? Ive only changed a flatty myself, but not all 4

Lummox · 21-07-2005, 07:42

If anyone does alot of wheel changing I'd advise buying a torque wrench. They arent that expensive these days and you cant put a price on peace of mind. 120nm is correct.

Lummox · 21-07-2005, 07:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by richielee14

hmmm I need a set of these aswell lol.... I thought that if you change the wheels yourself, you need to get it balanced, else one of the tyres may wear out quicker than the other? Or is balancing to do with something else? Ive only changed a flatty myself, but not all 4

You only need to get a wheel/tyre balanced if the tyre as been off the rim or you have wheel wobble. Balancing wont normaly effect wear.

You can change wheels yourself without bother. Just make sure bolts are tight (see above post).

ScoobyChris · 21-07-2005, 08:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by richielee14

hmmm I need a set of these aswell lol.... I thought that if you change the wheels yourself, you need to get it balanced, else one of the tyres may wear out quicker than the other? Or is balancing to do with something else? Ive only changed a flatty myself, but not all 4

Balancing is to do with balancing out any imperfections in the tyre/alloy so it doesn't vibrate when it's turning at speed, so in theory if you buy a balanced set of alloys with tyres, you shouldn't experience any problems. However, there is a possibility that the hub itself has imperfections, in which case you'd have to get the wheels balanced on the car.... I've not had any problems switching wheels on my previous cars, but a few on here have experienced problems with Octy wheels on Fabia's (Hellfire?)... sure one will be along to comment

Chris

Choppa · 21-07-2005, 21:12

Been away so ive just got back to loads of emails, Louis they look spot on!

12-07-2005, 03:26	#1
LouisTsui Briskodian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Colchester Posts: 288 Members Car: Fabia 1.4 Comfort, green, no allory wheel >.< Thanks: 2 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	VRS wheels on 1.4 16v (now fitted) Hi all, My long search of cheap alloys to replace 14" steel wheels will soon be over!!!! I am about to get a set of 2nd hand VRS wheels for my 1.4 16v, this Friday. Although they cost way over my 150 pounds budget, I don't care as I know they will surely look geat on my Fabia. So few newbie questions: 1. How difficult it is to replace wheels myself (2 hands, no help)? I saw someone replacing wheel by a road, it seems a pain in the *** to me. I got a feeling that wheel wounldn't come off even with all nuts unscrewed, and I am so scare that the jack will slip if I force it. 2. Can I reuse those locking wheel nuts/bolts off my 14" steel wheels? 3. How much a Garages will likely to charge me for this kind of job? Just in case I fed up with all this hassle. lol __________________ I try very hard not to curb my alloys... Last edited by LouisTsui; 19-07-2005 at 19:35.

12-07-2005, 06:08	#3
Mil Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: United Arab Emirates Posts: 3,807 Members Car: Weichers strut, K&N panel filter, GT bodykit, GT tailpipe, Falken tyres Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	It isn't difficult. Jack the car up and do it like you're changing all four wheels with four 'spares'. Straight swap. __________________ Milton Kyvernitis Private Government

12-07-2005, 06:45	#4
TaviaRS Dinosaur Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: North of the Watford Gap Posts: 14,940 Members Car: Merc E class & SLK Thanks: 19 Thanked 43 Times in 39 Posts	Piece of cake, I can do 4 swaps in under 20 minutes If you are worried about it coming off the jack, put your spare wheel under the edge of the car so it doesn't fall all the way to the ground, you then have a chance to re-jack it. I wouldn't get a garage to do it, it sounds like you need the practice As for the bolts, they may be a different length, I'm sure someone will advise on that. Oh, and I reckon it will look good __________________ A jolly sensible Mercedes E class saloon in a rather fetching bluey grey colour. No it isn't fast, no it isn't modded, and yes, it will still eat your Fabia for breakfast. Official mobile chicane for Briskoda trackdays

12-07-2005, 06:47	#5
Mil Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: United Arab Emirates Posts: 3,807 Members Car: Weichers strut, K&N panel filter, GT bodykit, GT tailpipe, Falken tyres Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	Just make sure when you fit those awesome wheels, the tyre and wheel combination will add up to the same size as your 14" with those fat tyres. __________________ Milton Kyvernitis Private Government

12-07-2005, 08:01	#6
Fabia 12v RICHARD Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Twickenham - Middlesex Posts: 5,027 Members Car: Skoda Fabia >> VW Golf >> Seat Ibiza >> VW Polo Thanks: 11 Thanked 26 Times in 23 Posts	I changed my standard wheels to vRS alloys.... really easy to do yourself.... like everyone mentioned stick a wheel under the side of car just incase it slips. Bolts will work fine with alloys however you will need to get yourself one set of locking bolts to prevent theft and also dont forget the little silver dustcaps for the bolts, cant help you with part numbers but dealer will know what you want. Wheels will look ace on your car, just look in my gallery for example... thats comfort to vRS wheels there. Just be sure to have same rolling radius at the end. __________________ First Car: Skoda Fabia MK1 1.2 12v Comfort Replaced with: Volkswagen Golf MK4 GT 1.9TDI Replaced with: Seat Ibiza MK4 Sport 1.9TDI Replaced with: Volkswagen Polo MK6 Ltd. Edition Sport 1.4 16v

12-07-2005, 04:27	#2
vanagonjon Briskodian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Devon Posts: 165 Members Car: 2003 Fabia Comfort TDi Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	1. Time consuming 2. The nuts are for steel or alloy 3. Difficult to say spose it depends if they are busy??

12-07-2005, 09:42	#7
mikejay Briskodian Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: wigan Posts: 1,169 Members Car: fuby vrs black cupra 160 intake, sachs clutch and jabba remap. 179bhp 340 torque Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	if the jack dose slip and the spare is not under it, you will still be able to get the jack under it again, because your legs that are now wedged under your car will create enough space. lol __________________ 179BHP AND 340 TORQUE!!!

12-07-2005, 10:54	#8
ScoobyChris Briskodian Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Andover Posts: 18,265 Members Car: Fiat Panda Thanks: 16 Thanked 352 Times in 303 Posts	And don't forget to slacken the wheel nuts before you jack the car up and don't tighten them fully until the car is back on the ground, otherwise it will likely rock off the jack!!! Chris __________________ Holding up the traffic in a little Italian..........

12-07-2005, 16:01	#9
LouisTsui Briskodian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Colchester Posts: 288 Members Car: Fabia 1.4 Comfort, green, no allory wheel >.< Thanks: 2 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Many thanks for all the advise. I shall give it a go and do it myself, can't wait about it. __________________ I try very hard not to curb my alloys...

19-07-2005, 19:36	#13
devonutopia Mongreller Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Exeter / Devon Posts: 30,490 Members Car: Skoda Fabia Mongrel Images: 5 Thanks: 79 Thanked 381 Times in 322 Posts	One thing that might suffer then is economy, but I just think "stuff it!" Fitting 17s to my old TDI in standard form caused a 15-20% drop in economy. __________________ Jason - Only a Skoda. Custom Fabia Bonnet Lifter Kits - £45! Click Me. BRISKODA CLUBSTAND @ Castle Combe! 25/04/09! Track session too! Click me! See the mongrel's 260bhp Dyno Video!

20-07-2005, 23:12	#14
Grant Briskodian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Huddersfield Posts: 245 Members Car: Fabia Comford TDI Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Just out of curosity, what torqueness (sp?) should the wheel nuts be tightened to? __________________ 51 plate Silver 1.9TDI PD100 Comfort Not that special - but it ain't broken!

20-07-2005, 23:38	#16
Grant Briskodian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Huddersfield Posts: 245 Members Car: Fabia Comford TDI Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Cheers. __________________ 51 plate Silver 1.9TDI PD100 Comfort Not that special - but it ain't broken!

20-07-2005, 23:40	#17
devonutopia Mongreller Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Exeter / Devon Posts: 30,490 Members Car: Skoda Fabia Mongrel Images: 5 Thanks: 79 Thanked 381 Times in 322 Posts	For me its "until the wrench won't go round anymore" - then "one last final shove" Not had a wheel bolt fall / rattle out yet, and neither had any sticky removal issues too. __________________ Jason - Only a Skoda. Custom Fabia Bonnet Lifter Kits - £45! Click Me. BRISKODA CLUBSTAND @ Castle Combe! 25/04/09! Track session too! Click me! See the mongrel's 260bhp Dyno Video!

21-07-2005, 02:16	#18
richielee14 Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Essex Posts: 217 Members Car: Fabia Comfort 1.4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	hmmm I need a set of these aswell lol.... I thought that if you change the wheels yourself, you need to get it balanced, else one of the tyres may wear out quicker than the other? Or is balancing to do with something else? Ive only changed a flatty myself, but not all 4 __________________ \| www.design-fx.co.uk professional webdesign \| \| www.econnectu.co.uk cutting edge technology \| \| www.richardlee.co.uk personal portfolio \|

21-07-2005, 07:42	#19
Lummox Partner Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Newport Pagnell Posts: 22,963 Members Car: Mk2 Golf GTi 16v and building a 20VT MK2. Images: 2 Thanks: 29 Thanked 831 Times in 699 Posts	If anyone does alot of wheel changing I'd advise buying a torque wrench. They arent that expensive these days and you cant put a price on peace of mind. 120nm is correct. __________________ www.unit18.co.uk Remapping Service now available, PM for details.

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VRS wheels on 1.4 16v

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