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Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 8:54 pm
by AFeral
The two piece weld on section of the bead locks poorly alligned in my opinion. Got a set off of ebay. Will be cutting the two sections appart and re alliging before I weld them on.
Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 9:53 pm
by GUJohnno
The ebay add that you guys are referring to are mine.
As stated earlier they are 3mm outer rings specially bent to locate the bead and to add strength. A folded steel done correctly can add much strength compared to a thicker flat steel. ARB use this philosophy with their bullbars for added strength. The inner rings are 4mm.
There are many comp guys using these same beadlocks with great success. I'm sure there are a few that have damaged theirs. It all relevant to how you drive to how well they will last.
I'm not saying that these are definitely better than the other two noted in this thread.
They all have their +/-s.
If the beadlocks become too thick and heavy it would be like having big fly-wheels on each rim and will have an effect on the handling and performance of the vehicle. Like most things, it's a compromise.
We keep these in stock, so drop in and check them out if you like.
Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 9:59 pm
by GUJohnno
AFeral wrote:The two piece weld on section of the bead locks poorly alligned in my opinion. Got a set off of ebay. Will be cutting the two sections appart and re alliging before I weld them on.
Sorry to hear that yours are out.
We can exchange them over if you like.
The inner rings are done in two parts to save on material and to keep the costs down. Once they are welded to the rim, I would doubt that there would be much difference in strength.
My personal set have worked faultlessly, but I don't enter comps, just some hard/extreme days trips. I can leave mine in the back yard for a couple of months between trips and not have to pump them back up for the next trip. I guess its al in the preparation and the application to how well they'll work for you.\
Johnno.
Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 10:19 pm
by Gwagensteve
GUJohnno - I've fitted numerous sets of mechanical beadlock rings, sourced from yourself and others (all with the same two piece inner) and it's a terrible idea. I've back-ground and rewelded every one I've installed. It's not enough to butt the two halves together and hit it with a MIG. They have poor penetration. 30 seconds of prep would improve things immensely.
PS I know you don't weld them, but it's poor workmanship nonetheless.
Steve.