what makes mechanical beadlocks illegal

[uninformed]

as the title says:

what makes them illegal on road?

cheers,Serg

[skip-unstuck]

Because they are welded to the rim, I beleive you are only allowed one weld per rim,
Hence if the locking rim is cast into the rim and the one weld is only on the centre they would be technically legal, ie, Walker Evans rims.

[nastytroll]

modified rims are illegal, hense internal beadlocks are technically illeagal if you have to drill the second valve stem hole.

Apparently there is a company selling rims with 2 valve stem holes now though.

[ISUZUROVER]

as the title says:

what makes them illegal on road?

cheers,Serg

Authorities don't like the weld around the circumference. Just the same as it is illegal to widen rims by cutting them and welding a ring in the middle.

AFAIK There is a rule in the tyre and rim standard manual that rims can only have one circumferntial weld.

Furthermore - according to the below, beadlocks (including cast/non welded) are not a recognised design (by the tyre and rim standard manual) so therefore not legal:

Aahh, a subject close to my heart.

Technically any modification to the rim after manufacture is illegal. You have to be a member of the Wheel and Tyre assosiation to repair/modify rims with approval. It's basically a closed shop (trust me, I've been down this path)

The pressure cast alloy beadlocks with a bolt on ring is not legal ( tried that one too) as the Wheel and Tyre association don't recognise the design as maintain the bead with an approved JJ standard pattern.

"ericson" style internal runflats are only deemed legal if fitted by the original VEHICLE manufacturer. (So H1 Hummer runflats can only be fitted to a H1 Hummer) I have no idea what the reasoning behind this is...they wouldn't tell me as I'm not a member...you can by the standards info, but there's no obligation to tell you what the reasoning is

Screwing the beads to the rim is not legal ( and is only a marginal fix for drag racing uses, where theres no real side load)

Kevlar rally tyres are for rally cars...they dont last long are not designed to work at low presures. Those that do ( Stonewalls, baja FC's, Baja pro's) are not legal on the road , not speed or load rated and are actually stamped to reflect this. Offroad racers don't air down to 3 PSi and go crawling.

With the weld in beadlocks the inner ring needs to be welded in straight and without any pin holes in the weld. The inner ring is effectively laminating or strengthening the rim - anything you do to bend it would have rooted the original rim anyway. In all the years we've sold weld in kits, I've only seen a couple of the outer rings bent beyond repair, again the rim was rooted anyway. Using high tensile bolts ( we use HT cap heads and nylocks) and 24 bolts per wheel stops the breakage issue and any leaks between the bolts.
It's not uncommon to sikaflex or silastic the tyre to the rim on both sides ( your friendly tyre guy wont be so friendly anymore)

Internals are a good thing- minimal mods to the wheel, seals both sides and will recover from really big hits. There harder to fit on smaller tyres, but once fitted they're pretty well maintanence free. They'll actually make it EASIER to swap a tyre in the field than a normal tubeless setup. the beadlock makes it easy to set the the bead.

As far as balance goes, it's a big call- the tyres will need to be able to be balanced, the rims straight and true, the beadlock fitted properly and all assembled well. If you start with the thinest, nastiest malaysian rims you can get for $48 each, do everyone a favour and put them on a balancer without beadlocks or tyres- you'll be less likely to scream blue murder when those beadlocked bias ply swampers wont balance.

http://www.4wdaction.com.au/forum/sitemap/t-43.html

If you get an approved rim repairer to drill the hole, the rim is legal.
According to the Staun Internal Beadlock Disclaimer they are for "Off Highway Use Only!"

Cheers,
Ryano

modified rims are illegal, hense internal beadlocks are technically illeagal if you have to drill the second valve stem hole.

Apparently there is a company selling rims with 2 valve stem holes now though.

Not according to the quote above from Ryano. AFAIK, rim repairs and modifications are also legal if they conform to the standards AND are done by someone authorised by the tyre and rim association.

Because they are welded to the rim, I beleive you are only allowed one weld per rim,
Hence if the locking rim is cast into the rim and the one weld is only on the centre they would be technically legal, ie, Walker Evans rims.

They are illegal as they are not a recognised/approved design. EVEN INTERNAL beadlocks say "offroad use only" or similar on them!!! So they aren't legal either!

[Chucky]

Surely a rim manufacturer reading this forum can see a need for a rim with two valve stem holes.


However I can see the extra hole would easily double the price of the rim

[ISUZUROVER]

Surely a rim manufacturer reading this forum can see a need for a rim with two valve stem holes.


However I can see the extra hole would easily double the price of the rim

Did you read what Ryano wrote:

If you get an approved rim repairer to drill the hole, the rim is legal.

But that is all academic since the internal beadlocks are illegal...

[uninformed]

thanks guys,

are they dangerous to drive on the road?

are many out there running them to get to parks etc?

Serg

[Gwagensteve]

Ive run them for 8 years and have three sets.

They are fine, but it really comes down to good installation and assembly. I've done some that don't leak and run true, and others leak and wobble.

You need to be careful and you'll get a good result.

They will always leak a little bit though - although sometimes it's so slow it's barely noticeable.

when I got my first set I did the research and basically, there was big $$ in approving the design (explosive tyre failure testing etc) so it's not really feasible.

If you want legal beadlocks you can run 8 lug axles and hummer H1 rims or new JK Mopar performance optional rims - they are made by hutchinson in the US and ARE road legal AFAIK.

Steve.

[nastytroll]

I'm not dissagreeing with the quote from ryan, but how do you proove to an authority that the holes have been drilled by and aprooved wheel repairer?

Carrying a stat dec from someone to say they did the mod would not be enough, I would say you would need to have a serial number on the rims?

[chpd80]

So yeh yeh they are illegal, so has anyone actually been booked or warned by the cops or transport dept. for them ??????

[ISUZUROVER]

I'm not dissagreeing with the quote from ryan, but how do you proove to an authority that the holes have been drilled by and aprooved wheel repairer?

Carrying a stat dec from someone to say they did the mod would not be enough, I would say you would need to have a serial number on the rims?

But how do the authorities prove they WEREN'T done by an approved repairer/modifier???

[lockdup]

i was driving through epping today and i saw two luxes, highly modified both running beadlocks. it seems to be getting more common

[bru21]

the general problem is that the code does not allow for circumferential welding. This was to stop people adding width to rims by adding a strip of flat steel in the VW days - rim balance and weld failure were the problems. Split rims are very similar to locks and are legal.

as with anything - go through the correct channels and it will be sweet.

C.O.R.E. will get each rim crack tested x rayed and certified for road use for about $200 each from memory. They are stamped as meeting ADR's.

core rims are not typical beadlocks and have a locating lip made out of the parted off rim lip.


regards

Bru

[CWBYUP]

the general problem is that the code does not allow for circumferential welding. This was to stop people adding width to rims by adding a strip of flat steel in the VW days - rim balance and weld failure were the problems. Split rims are very similar to locks and are legal.
as with anything - go through the correct channels and it will be sweet.
C.O.R.E. will get each rim crack tested x rayed and certified for road use for about $200 each from memory. They are stamped as meeting ADR's.
core rims are not typical beadlocks and have a locating lip made out of the parted off rim lip.
regards
Bru

Any one got a link to core ?

Google's not liking me this morning.

Nick

[pigletracing]

staun are now importing a selection of rims with two holes,, these rims will be seen in upcoming mags & vids,not to mention the wide range of comp trucks / tour company / pro beach fisherman vechicles that there testing them on.
I also belive they are undergoing the required legality tests to deam them road leagal,so they can sell wheel/tyre/internal beadlock packages through the retail outlets, I hope it works out for staun . Ive used their product for years with no issues on or off road.

& at the end of the day even if they are deemed illegal, they dont stand out as much!!! so less attention is drawn to our already illegal rigs.
Good Luck to Staun, & congrats for trying to get our rigs a little more legal.
Cheers piglet

[bru21]

the general problem is that the code does not allow for circumferential welding. This was to stop people adding width to rims by adding a strip of flat steel in the VW days - rim balance and weld failure were the problems. Split rims are very similar to locks and are legal.
as with anything - go through the correct channels and it will be sweet.
C.O.R.E. will get each rim crack tested x rayed and certified for road use for about $200 each from memory. They are stamped as meeting ADR's.
core rims are not typical beadlocks and have a locating lip made out of the parted off rim lip.
regards
Bru

Any one got a link to core ?

Google's not liking me this morning.

Nick

couldn't find it on google either.

number (few years old now) 0402842989 think his name was brent from memory. cheers bru

[Ryano]

If you get an approved rim repairer to drill the hole, the rim is legal.
According to the Staun Internal Beadlock Disclaimer they are for "Off Highway Use Only!"

Cheers,
Ryano

I've since had a chat to Staun about this. The disclaimer is for the US market only (Don't know why they didn't mention that in the disclaimer ).
Apparently they are 100% legal and approved for use on Australian roads.

Apparently there is a company selling rims with 2 valve stem holes now though.

Staun have approached Performance wheels to have a selection of their range to suit internals. It's all going ahead and available now. This will mean that the rim is a factory manufactured and tested rim that will have the second valve hole in it for the internals. So there will be off the shelf options for internal beadlocks to be legal.

Cheers,
Ryano

[ISUZUROVER]

If you get an approved rim repairer to drill the hole, the rim is legal.
According to the Staun Internal Beadlock Disclaimer they are for "Off Highway Use Only!"

Cheers,
Ryano

I've since had a chat to Staun about this. The disclaimer is for the US market only (Don't know why they didn't mention that in the disclaimer ).
Apparently they are 100% legal and approved for use on Australian roads.

Apparently there is a company selling rims with 2 valve stem holes now though.

Staun have approached Performance wheels to have a selection of their range to suit internals. It's all going ahead and available now. This will mean that the rim is a factory manufactured and tested rim that will have the second valve hole in it for the internals. So there will be off the shelf options for internal beadlocks to be legal.

Cheers,
Ryano

Thanks Ryano.

Do you know of anyone (in OZ) who makes hummer-style (2-piece bolt together) rims with a plastic double beadlock ring?

This really seems like the best system to me.

[nastytroll]

the general problem is that the code does not allow for circumferential welding. This was to stop people adding width to rims by adding a strip of flat steel in the VW days - rim balance and weld failure were the problems. Split rims are very similar to locks and are legal.
as with anything - go through the correct channels and it will be sweet.
C.O.R.E. will get each rim crack tested x rayed and certified for road use for about $200 each from memory. They are stamped as meeting ADR's.
core rims are not typical beadlocks and have a locating lip made out of the parted off rim lip.
regards
Bru

Any one got a link to core ?

Google's not liking me this morning.

Nick

couldn't find it on google either.

number (few years old now) 0402842989 think his name was brent from memory. cheers bru

Costum Off Road Engineering.
Brett is his name, their workshop was in greenbank qld. Their rims are nice and have been used by many people in many comps.

[bru21]

that name sounds right (sorry brett). I had a set on the smurf. to saw they balance well is an understatement!

[v840]

Brett Grinrod. He used to run a bagged, purple 40 series SWB.

[Gwagensteve]

Do you know of anyone (in OZ) who makes hummer-style (2-piece bolt together) rims with a plastic double beadlock ring?

This really seems like the best system to me.

I know this was directed at ryano but I don't know of anyone either.

not that hard to make though, but just as illegal.

Steve,

[ISUZUROVER]

but just as illegal.

WHY??? Early land rovers had a 2-piece bolt together rim. If they are made without any circumferential welds then I can't see what would be wrong with them?

Sure the internal (locking "ring") bit may not be legal, but who is to know if it is fitted or not???

[uninformed]

but just as illegal.

WHY??? Early land rovers had a 2-piece bolt together rim. If they are made without any circumferential welds then I can't see what would be wrong with them?

Sure the internal (locking "ring") bit may not be legal, but who is to know if it is fitted or not???

and early range rover rims...

Ben, i was actually going to ask if a person used these rimes and welded on a bead lock ring them rim would only have 1 continuious weld.... if done correctly they could be argued as legal????

Serg

[ISUZUROVER]

but just as illegal.

WHY??? Early land rovers had a 2-piece bolt together rim. If they are made without any circumferential welds then I can't see what would be wrong with them?

Sure the internal (locking "ring") bit may not be legal, but who is to know if it is fitted or not???

and early range rover rims...

Ben, i was actually going to ask if a person used these rimes and welded on a bead lock ring them rim would only have 1 continuious weld.... if done correctly they could be argued as legal????

Serg

Really - which RRC models? I thought they had the rostyles from the beginning?

Why weld on a beadlock ring, just do this!


The only problem is the stock series (and RRC?) rims are too narrow.

[Gwagensteve]

but just as illegal.

WHY??? Early land rovers had a 2-piece bolt together rim. If they are made without any circumferential welds then I can't see what would be wrong with them?

Sure the internal (locking "ring") bit may not be legal, but who is to know if it is fitted or not???

They would only be illegal if they were manufactured yourself regardess of how many welds they didn't have, and any newly manufactured rims still have to go through testing if they aren't approved elsewhere.

It appears that any wheels sold in australia for road use require DOT approval or equivalent. Hutchinson will sell a double beadlock ( hummer/statzworx) style double beadlock that is DOT approved and therefore should also be legal in Australia, and the fact I have seen a Chrysler demo JK wrangler in australia with MOPAR performance beadlock rims (hutchinson) would indicate it is at least feasible - the hutchinson rims would have to meet the same standards as the stock rims.

There aren't any current DOT approved single bolted beadlock rims. One possible issue for the DOT approval process is that single mechanical beadlock rims actually seal and clamp the tyre on the inside surface of the tyre bead seat area, an area that isn't designed for load and isn't designed as a sealing sufrace. Despite several rim makers in the US trying for DOT approval for single beadlocks, I've never seen one achieve it, including for rims with no circ welds. a cast/forged rim with a single circ weld holding the beadlock flange on is not, in itself, a reason for illegality, but the design and construction of the rim would still require approval and testing.

Also, as far as I am aware, the welds connecting the centre to the rim are not considered as part of the one permissable circumferential weld.


A 2 piece double beadlock ( hummer style) still seals the tyre and retains the bead exactly as the tyre maker intended, but a rim made this way would still have to go through DOT approval, which apart from design verification etc would require explosive blowout testing etc.

As an aside, it's a shame that DOT approval seems to apply for rims sold new in australia but not tyres.... or swampers would be road legal in australia.

AFAIK, there is no requirement for manufacturers to go though the ADR approval process for rims if they are DOT approved for the US market, as an example. I'd also guess the Australian standards are almost exactly the same as DOT for rim approval.

[ISUZUROVER]

but just as illegal.

WHY??? Early land rovers had a 2-piece bolt together rim. If they are made without any circumferential welds then I can't see what would be wrong with them?

Sure the internal (locking "ring") bit may not be legal, but who is to know if it is fitted or not???

They would only be illegal if they were manufactured yourself regardess of how many welds they didn't have, and any newly manufactured rims still have to go through testing if they aren't approved elsewhere.

It appears that any wheels sold in australia for road use require DOT approval or equivalent. Hutchinson will sell a double beadlock ( hummer/statzworx) style double beadlock that is DOT approved and therefore should also be legal in Australia, and the fact I have seen a Chrysler demo JK wrangler in australia with MOPAR performance beadlock rims (hutchinson) would indicate it is at least feasible - the hutchinson rims would have to meet the same standards as the stock rims.

There aren't any current DOT approved single bolted beadlock rims. One possible issue for the DOT approval process is that single mechanical beadlock rims actually seal and clamp the tyre on the inside surface of the tyre bead seat area, an area that isn't designed for load and isn't designed as a sealing sufrace. Despite several rim makers in the US trying for DOT approval for single beadlocks, I've never seen one achieve it, including for rims with no circ welds. a cast/forged rim with a single circ weld holding the beadlock flange on is not, in itself, a reason for illegality, but the design and construction of the rim would still require approval and testing.

Also, as far as I am aware, the welds connecting the centre to the rim are not considered as part of the one permissable circumferential weld.


A 2 piece double beadlock ( hummer style) still seals the tyre and retains the bead exactly as the tyre maker intended, but a rim made this way would still have to go through DOT approval, which apart from design verification etc would require explosive blowout testing etc.

As an aside, it's a shame that DOT approval seems to apply for rims sold new in australia but not tyres.... or swampers would be road legal in australia.

AFAIK, there is no requirement for manufacturers to go though the ADR approval process for rims if they are DOT approved for the US market, as an example. I'd also guess the Australian standards are almost exactly the same as DOT for rim approval.

OK so a factory 2-piece bolted rim (e.g. land rover or hummer) with an internal double beadlock would likely be legal. As would the Hutchinson rims you mention.

[Gwagensteve]

Correct, as they have DOT approval.

Interestingly, I'd be willing to bet that the old 8 bolt "bias ply" hummer 2 piece rims aren't road legal, even in the US.

Steve.

[uninformed]

[/quote]

Really - which RRC models? I thought they had the rostyles from the beginning?

The only problem is the stock series (and RRC?) rims are too narrow.[/quote]


very early rangie rostyle rims.... im sure i saw a rostyle that was riveted at my mates factory..... next time im there i will try and remember to look and see.

as for too narrow.... 9/34 superswampers sugest a 6 inch rim, rovers are 5.5, plus a beadlock will bring close.... defender 130 rims are 6.5 and i thought rangie were 7 inch wide.... these will more than cover the size tryes that i would want to run.... but i do like the narrow tryes....

anyway its a moot point.

Serg

[Gwagensteve]

Yeah, early Rostyles were riveted and prone to cracking/leaking around the rivets IIRC.

Steve.