alloy wheels,97,850GLT wagon

OBrien · Post by **OBrien** » 02 Apr 2007, 20:33

Looking to buy set of new / replacement alloy wheels at various places (eg VLVworld and others). Am a little confused by reference (inconsistently so) to left/right designation for a new wheel. Since when do wheels come so specified? I understand that once a wheel/tire assembly gets used on one side or the other, it should stay there, but what do they mean by "driver's side, passenger side, non-directional" - at this point, a wheel's a wheel, right?

While we're talking about it - is 15 x 6.5" correct for this car?

Ob

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 02 Apr 2007, 21:31

This one got me in trouble on the site that won't be mentioned as I thought my Columbas were directional, they are not. The directional aspects of wheels are the "look" of the wheel as you look at it from each side of the car. In the ideal world the Columba wheel would look like the Cuisinart blade chopping forward from both sides of the car. The stock Columbas look like they are cutting backwards from the passengers side.

If your wheel spokes are vertical then it is no problem in any case - like with the Volans that you really want.

..Lee

Klausc · Post by **Klausc** » 03 Apr 2007, 10:33

It is a well known joke. There are 2 different part numbers for the wheels, one for left and one for right side. The wheels are in fact the same! Volvo has no directional wheels that I am aware of, at least in the USA.

Klaus

Post by **billofdurham** » 03 Apr 2007, 11:56

Do I smell a dispute brewing?

This one got me in trouble on the site that won't be mentioned as I thought my Columbas were directional, they are not.

Lee, I won't mention the unmentionable site either, but VADIS gives the following info for the Columba wheels for the T-5R:

Part #9166116 L.H. 6.5 x 16.
Part #9166315 R.H. 6.5 x 16.

For all other wheels they list the quantity as 4. For the Columba T-5R they list the quantity as 2 of each.

Strange but true.

Bill.

OBrien · Post by **OBrien** » 11 Apr 2007, 20:31

As always, thanks to all. Have seen various wheels as described, but am just looking for the 6-spokers (believe ones on the car = "cetus").

While on the subject, just returned from longish-haul road trip (~250 each way) and although ride was great, am wondering about sort of ryhthmic high-frequency vibration that goes through car between 65-75, even on really smooth road surface. Tires are fairly new 3-seasons, but could they need (re-)balance? P/s rack is new, and car tracks like an arrow.

Thanks again!

Post by **luketrash** » 12 Apr 2007, 07:52

It could be the tires with an inherent flaw in the design. Some balance out better than others.

But it could be a ball joint or a tie rod end going bad. Jack the front end up and shake on the tires.. There should be no play up, down, left, right, etc...

I'm running cheap Fuzion HRI 205/55/16 tires on some S80 Volvo wheels (they're big and heavy, but I like the width and they make my 855 look like an XC, haha)

The nearly new goodyear tires that were on it when I bought it had an issue with a slipped belt or something. If you rotated them one way the car pulled right. If you rotated them again the car pulled left.

A little shimmy like that can be tricky to chase down. You might have thrown a wheel weight. One flew off of my wheels as I was driving home from the tire shop last winter. I heard it hit the wheel well and drove back, but I bet most people wouldn't have had a clue as to what had happened.

OBrien · Post by **OBrien** » 13 Apr 2007, 19:25

Thanks Luketrash -

Don't think I tossed a weight, but tires are news to me - "Nankang." Seem alright, although I indeed found what looks like a blem inside tread while checking for air leak (turned out to be valve(s)). Balancing should presumably correct for that, right?

Ob