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15 replies

Help with 3 piece wheel identification - BK1494

garvinogarvinoMember
Dear Pantera Friends,

Anyone know who makes a 3 piece wheel having the stamp "BK1494" on the hub side?

I, unfortunately, had a bad experience with a local tire shop today. I had two front wheels develop slight leaks at the beads over the summer - the tires have less than 1000 miles on them. Nothing to bad, but an annoyance since I had to add air to them up a little every week or so.

I verified in a test tank where they were leaking and asked the local hot rod shops where to have them unseated and re-beaded. The guy I usually use had the audacity to retire recently and is no longer in the business.

On arrival to the tire store I explained to the manager that my wheels were custom fit, very expensive wheels, and the issues I was having. The shop reported that he could fix my wheels problem. Since they had been recommended by the local hot rod shops I had faith that they could do what they said.

I received a call a few hours later saying that they had punctured a hole in the sidewall but that the wheel was fine(ended up being a 10 inch gash all the way through the tire). I notified them that I would be down to have a look. Initially, they told me that they had not worked on the second wheel, but evidence suggested otherwise. The second tire's sidewall was tremendously damaged and is now unsafe for any driving.

To top it off the lips on the aluminum rims are all messed up too. They say they will make it right. However, I do not know the brand of the 3 piece wheel - I thought they were HRE. The actual part of the rim that attaches to the cars hub is sandwiched between two outer lips with 40 bolts holding it all together. The wheel has BK1494 stamped on the backside of it. I contacted HRE and they said that the number does not match their records. Does anyone know who uses a similar serial number on their 3 piece wheels so I can contact them?

Any help would be much appreciated. I really like the rims and fear that if I cannot find two new outer lips that I will be forced to replace all 4 wheels.

I will try to post some photos when I get a chance. Thanks for the help. I think I made a wise decision taking the wheels off the car myself and dropping them off. I fear what my car would look like if I let them remove the wheels.

Thanks again.

Devin
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davidnunndavidnunnMember
Devin,

Your wheels are HRE 526's. I believe HRE stopped making them about 14 years ago. That being said, they might still have some parts. I bought some pieces for a set in 2007. If they don't, you can have custom rim halves made. EVOD Industries could probably make you nicer outers than when your HRE's were new! I'm not sure what it would cost but they would surely be a fraction of the cost of new wheels. FYI, HRE just started making an updated version of the 526 called the 305.

When I'm having tires mounted or un-mounted, I always use my local wheel refinisher. They have a very expensive tire machine made by an Italian company called Corghi. These tire machines can mount or remove tires without touching the rim. In fact, they're called "Touchless" tire mounting machines. Wheel refinishers all use these machines because they are usually mounting tires on freshly painted wheels and a normal tire machine would remove the fresh paint from the rim. Just call Corghi USA (1-800-260-0968) and ask them who in your area has one of their "Touchless" tire machines. It's worth a drive and paying a bit more for the peace of mind.

Good luck!

David
ktmikektmikeMember
I agree with David, and my local wheel refinisher only charges $6.50 per tire.

I have dealt with a guy named Satoru Yamaki at HRE for parts for my wheels, and if you can find the serial number of the wheel he can find the style and finish.

I gave him all the numbers off of the back of my wheel. One was 6 digits and began with a letter, the other number was 12 digits and had several letters in it. I think the long one was my serial number.

Hope this helps,

Mike
garvinogarvinoMember
David and Mike,

Thanks for the help and recommendations. I will call Corghi on Monday as they are closed this weekend.

Unfortunately, sometimes local in Wyoming means driving 4 hours to the Denver, Colorado area. I guess that what happens when you live in a large state with very little population.

I am more than willing to take a trip to make sure my stuff does not get damaged and it sounds like I might have to do just that. I called all the other local tire shops in town and they all said they did not have such a machine.

Once again thanks for the information. I will let you know how it goes.

Devin
panterachrispanterachrisMember
You should take pictures, write down all the conversations between you and the incompetent tire company, keep a detailed log. You should receive new rims not have them fixed, the company is completely liable and that would be all four if you can not find suitable replacements.Small claims court in Ca. now has a 10000.00 limit, you have a clear cut case in my opinion.
quote:
Originally posted by Garvino:
Dear Pantera Friends,

Anyone know who makes a 3 piece wheel having the stamp "BK1494" on the hub side?

I, unfortunately, had a bad experience with a local tire shop today. I had two front wheels develop slight leaks at the beads over the summer - the tires have less than 1000 miles on them. Nothing to bad, but an annoyance since I had to add air to them up a little every week or so.

I verified in a test tank where they were leaking and asked the local hot rod shops where to have them unseated and re-beaded. The guy I usually use had the audacity to retire recently and is no longer in the business.

On arrival to the tire store I explained to the manager that my wheels were custom fit, very expensive wheels, and the issues I was having. The shop reported that he could fix my wheels problem. Since they had been recommended by the local hot rod shops I had faith that they could do what they said.

I received a call a few hours later saying that they had punctured a hole in the sidewall but that the wheel was fine(ended up being a 10 inch gash all the way through the tire). I notified them that I would be down to have a look. Initially, they told me that they had not worked on the second wheel, but evidence suggested otherwise. The second tire's sidewall was tremendously damaged and is now unsafe for any driving.

To top it off the lips on the aluminum rims are all messed up too. They say they will make it right. However, I do not know the brand of the 3 piece wheel - I thought they were HRE. The actual part of the rim that attaches to the cars hub is sandwiched between two outer lips with 40 bolts holding it all together. The wheel has BK1494 stamped on the backside of it. I contacted HRE and they said that the number does not match their records. Does anyone know who uses a similar serial number on their 3 piece wheels so I can contact them?

Any help would be much appreciated. I really like the rims and fear that if I cannot find two new outer lips that I will be forced to replace all 4 wheels.

I will try to post some photos when I get a chance. Thanks for the help. I think I made a wise decision taking the wheels off the car myself and dropping them off. I fear what my car would look like if I let them remove the wheels.

Thanks again.

Devin
garvinogarvinoMember
Chris,

I am documenting everything. I guess next week shall tell if they are going to be able to take care of my front wheels or if they will have to replace them all. It is unfortunate because I do like the look of that specific wheel on my car.

I also missed a great charity/funding raising car show this weekend due to these unfortunate circumstances. It is hard to enter a car in a car show when you are missing the front wheels.

Below is a picture of the hole that they called and notified me about in the driver's front tire. Seems more like a gash to me. It runs the whole length of the yellow line I drew on the picture.

Once again, thanks for all the advice.

Devin

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  • Driver's_Side_tire_-_giant_tear
P panterapattMember
Assuming the A-hole tire shop actually is prepared to fix these (which is unlikely), cut the tires off the rims and send them to HRE in Vista, Ca and have them take the rims apart and mount new outer rims on them.

If it were me (and it isn't) I don't want some guy welding on a bolted-up 3-piece wheel. Probably fine, but why bother is the jacks that screwed this up are fixing it.
garvinogarvinoMember
I met with the local tire store manager yesterday. He stated that they are going to take care of everything. I notified him that I do not want this to drag out and want to know the game plans - be it sending wheels to HRE, wheel repair, buying new wheels all around, or whatever. The manager stated they were having troubles finding the 235/40ZR17 Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 tires as of yesterday.

I looked online for the tires and did not have any luck either. I am fearful that I may have to change tire size and/or brand. If anyone knows of two new F1's in my size in their area I would appreciate the heads up.

I felt pretty good after our meeting yesterday but, unfortunately, I did not hear a word today. I am going to make a in person visit tomorrow to try and get some more answers.

Devin
garvinogarvinoMember
My tire and wheel debacle continues. The tires from Kentucky showed up and they were not Eagle F1s. Goodyear reports they no longer make that tire in my size and I am finding that the 17 inch rim is no longer the cool size. I am also having issues with wheel repair/replacement.

I have read almost ever post out there and studied all the various wheels that Pantera owners are running. I also looked at the recommended offset chart on the forum for larger tires and wheels. Sticky #8: Size options when upgrading tires and/or wheels

I am considering buying new staggered wheels but am kind of on the bubble. I don't know for sure if like a larger diameter wheel in the back versus the front. However, the recommended staggered 18 & 19 wheels intrigue me because of the 2006 to 2013 Vettes are running them and some Porsches. In my mind, we should not have a lack of supply in those sizes for some time.

I am interested in the following sizes:

Front
18X9 offset 18mm
245/35/18

Rear
19X12 offset 18mm
325/30/19

I also looked the following for the rear because there are more matched tire sets available.

Rear
19X10 offset Zero (but I really like the looks of a 12 wheel more)
285/35/19

I am concerned about the offset chart because of two reasons:
1. The notes below the chart state that recommendations for offset are based on a Pantera lowered no more than a Stock European GTS (I have my car as low as it will go with my adjustable Konis - rear a-arms are horizontal). So how much does this effect offset?
2. In some of the pics of cars with wide wheels the tires may stick out underneath the fender a bit. I prefer to have the wheels and tires just barley inside the fender well. Therefore, I am looking for some personal experience with the 18" fronts and 19" rears and their offset.

I read about the issues with possibly having to modify the mufflers for fitment but this may just be the little push I need to pick up some 180 degree headers to remedy that situation.

Any personal stories, pics, and advice would be appreciated.

Devin

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