GTS Steering Wheels

[wbute]

A couple of points
If it was a cost cutting exercise so what are we not allowed to save money.
To make the thicker spoke would cost bugger all .
We are not responsible for what the customer does but in case of accident if the thicker spoke wheel was fitted there is a possibility of legal action against us so why take the chance.
Les

Why take the chance on making any parts then? Give the monopoly with Holden to someone else. As far as I see, Rare Spares have taken the deal to supply parts to Holden then they also have commitment to car restorers to make the correct parts. If you can't meet that responsibility, don't take it on.

[Les]

Why take the chance on making any parts then? Give the monopoly with Holden to someone else. As far as I see, Rare Spares have taken the deal to supply parts to Holden then they also have commitment to car restorers to make the correct parts. If you can't meet that responsibility, don't take it on.

Last year we made over 800 parts, we take a chance on every part that we make , we invest thousands of dollars sometimes tens of thousands of dollar in making parts , why would we want to increase the risks with legal problems that may occur .

If you or anyone else wishes to take the chance on making the thin spoke wheel go ahead but be aware of the possible legal problems that may occur.

[Taily]

Last year we made over 800 parts, we take a chance on every part that we make , we invest thousands of dollars sometimes tens of thousands of dollar in making parts , why would we want to increase the risks with legal problems that may occur .

If you or anyone else wishes to take the chance on making the thin spoke wheel go ahead but be aware of the possible legal problems that may occur.

Thanks Les (whomever you are) for taking the time to put some info on here about what Rares sees the issues as being. I don't think the issue was the thin spoke wheels, just that fact that Rares have made a decision that leaves the HQ-HJ Monaro, SS, Sandman etc owners out in the cold when trying to build an accurate restoration, ie; the request to for Rares to look at a remake of the 5mm wheel in addition to the 3mm one you've done. Apart from maybe the jig, what extra work would be involved? The CNC part of the production would be the same.

The issue of product liability for the incorrect use of a 5mm wheel might be reasonably easy to address in so far as product labelling/stamping. I am aware of the US laws are/were a bit over the top in the late 90's but that has swung back the other way and now places more onus back on the person fitting the device/part to the vehicle (where the onus should be) that they are fitting the correct part that complies with the design rules as applicable for that vehicle. Design rules these days are still orientated to the application or intended use of the part being produced, not as claimed to comply with current legislation for vehicles produced now. An example of this would be metal door handles, widow winders etc for use in passenger vehicles. If the rules were as claimed you wouldn't be able to manufacture, let alone market, these items as they no longer comply with intrusion standards - but because they will only fit certain vehicles they can still be manufactured/marketted and sold to the end user.

Might be worthwhile talking to your legal team as I believe there is certainly viability in even a limited run of 5mm wheels (I'd like the first one or the product tester please!!!!)... wink wink... :single_eye:

Another option might be a refurbishment service where a client supplies their own 5mm wheel and for the associated cost has the old wheel x-rayed/magnafluxed or dye penned for cracks, the old worn-out outer rim veneer stripped-off and a new one put on? I reckon you'll find a pretty interested market for that one! The obvious issue there would be any defect noted in the customer's 5mm wheel. If your 3mm wheels are that close to original the 5mm wheel should be able to be refurbed as I suggest.

Thanks again for taking the time to both reproduce a wheel that is a dead ringer for an original and for taking the time to reply here.

Regards

Dave.

[ambientgoat]

Why take the chance on making any parts then? Give the monopoly with Holden to someone else. As far as I see, Rare Spares have taken the deal to supply parts to Holden then they also have commitment to car restorers to make the correct parts. If you can't meet that responsibility, don't take it on.

I would disagree that anyone has a responsibility to supply parts for a machine that would be classed as well and truely obsolete by the manufacturer. In my old job where we designed an manufactured things, after about 8 years a product was deemed to be unsupported and no more spares or otherwise were held in stock.
So to my mind, having rares around is a great thing for all of us that want to keep our old girls on the road long after most people would have 'upgraded' to a newer model.

That said, of course we want these parts to be acurate, and we will and have complained loudly when they're not and don't fit. Which as far as I can tell has helped rares to produce a better quality of part by adapting to the wants of their customer.

[the ski man]

So to my mind, having rares around is a great thing for all of us that want to keep our old girls on the road long after most people would have 'upgraded' to a newer model.

That said, of course we want these parts to be acurate, and we will and have complained loudly when they're not and don't fit. Which as far as I can tell has helped rares to produce a better quality of part by adapting to the wants of their customer.

Fully agree there AG, going on the pics of these new wheels they are a super improvement on the older ones RS made, so much so that my NOS will probably go back in its box and i'll put a RS one on the car to wear out instead. For me its nice having the nos wheel on the car while its on display but now that the RS ones are just as good anyone walking past wont see it as a NOS wheel, but as a rares one anyway.

I like that RS are listening to constructive feedback and investing heaps on product improvement and new products, although some items are made to suit across models and are not exactly correct to the way it was for your cars particular year, trim code, wind direction at time of manufacture or solar alignment of the moon... its still better than not having an accurate remake in the first place.

my feedback to the guys from RS is, they shouldnt have made these wheels so good, now everyone will have a wheel as good as my NOS one. :P