[tolerico]

Well, I have been waiting months for Year One's replica cast 17" x 8" Rallye II wheel in 4.5" backspacing.

You may recall they had originally offered them in 4.25" BS.

I received the rims the other day, had tires mounted to them, and when I go to mount them on my car I notice that they will not sit square. Sort of a cattywompus thing going on.

I spoke with Year One multiple times and to make a long story short, just found out this first set of 17x8" rims I received were the original 4.25" backspace wheels that Year One sent back to their manufacturer (in China?) to have their back mounting pads machined down to reach the 4.5" backspace most car owners they found out desire.

Being I am apparantly the only one to complain so far and have an issue (on both 8" wide wheels I received) I wanted to bring it to everyone's attention and if you did just get a set of 8" wide Rallye II wheels from Year One to double check the mounting pad.

The photos attached show the 9" wide Rallye II cast rims with how the pad in back should be finished to fit properly, and the then the 8" wide wheels with the poorly re-machined pad that won't sit right I just received.

I am told the next order of 8" wide rims due in to Year One in March will all be newly cast 4.5" bs wheels and not reworked wheels that I and many others were just sent (AND NEVER TOLD ABOUT!!)

Now if I can only get them to reimburse me the money spent on mounting and balance. I feel it is only fair they do that. We will see.

So the wait for new wheels goes on. Obviously not happy here.

[firebirdmi]

Thanks for the heads up. I just received mine (they look machined) and will check them this weekend.

[tolerico]

Right on. Let us know.

Being that Year One said no one has complained (yet) does not mean they don't have an issue on their hands. I told them it is likely that many who bought them and received them last week have yet to get around to mounting them.

And don't mount tires on them just trial fit them and see if they wobble when held on. Both my 8'' rims did. But the 9" wide cast Rallye II's were perfect.

The machining done to get to 4.5" backspacing from 4.25" bs was not done correctly yet they shipped out (and never told buyers) that is what they did to old cast rims to get to 4.5" bs.

[mario65]

Chinese cast wheels machined to lose .25" at the hub??? Year one is looking for a lawsuit. I wouldnt put those on a go cart.

Besides 4 7/8 on a 8" rim on a Fbody is necessary. 4.5" is going to rub on the fender is lowered much at all.

Heres 4 7/8BS on a 18x8" rim on a 67 bird. Just perfect. 245/40/18

[firebirdmi]

I checked the wheels and they do not wobble, thankfully. Just curious, how is Year One handling your return? Did they arrange shipping of the defective rims from your location to theirs? Are they trying to charge you anything and did they give a ship date for the proper castings?

I looked at how much material is left around the lugs after machining and it looks a little less compared with other cast wheels I have. I don't plan on racing with the wheels and will just use them for weekend cruises so I'm not too concerned with the loss of material.

[tolerico]

I am having to wait until this week as the person responsible for the machining of these wheels down to 4.5" bs is due back. Lucky for you they sit flush. Both mine do not. Did you mount yours on the front and rear and do you have drums or discs? I have discs and due to the style of the machining done the 8" wide wheels they wobble and won't sit flush on the rotor/hub (although both 9" untouched wheels are perfect).

I am hoping and assuming they will cover return shipping and send me new cast (and unaltered) wheels due in this week. I am also hoping for $50 from them to cover mounting and balance.

As mario5 wrote, Year One could be setting themselves up for trouble here in doing what they did to these rims. Just not right.

Will update as things happen.

[firebirdmi]

My setup is drum all around, 68 Firebird. The 8" are going on the front and I have the 9" on the rear. For my setup 9" on the front was too large for the driver's side.

I was told by year one the first casting had the backspace at 4 5/8". They gave me the option to receive them at that dimension. I wanted the 4 1/2". So I believe they needed to machine 1/8" from these rims. The #'s cast into them say 17x8 so i don't believe they used 9" wide rims and machined down 1/2".

[firebirdmi]

Correction, they originally cast them as 4 1/4" as you stated and they machined them 1/4".

[tolerico]

Yeah, they started as cast at 4.25bs and were machined to get to 4.5" bs.

You having Drum brakes is why they likely don't wobble. On my front discs (stock pontiac) the 8" wide machined rims don't seat and sit right. These machined rims likely weren't test fit to discs (or any cars) it was implied to me by Year One.

Can't believe no one else on the forums has ordered and received a set and responded to this thread. Time will tell I guess.

[ClassicDriverMan]

Yes, let us know what happens.... Year One is really dropping the ball on this one. Lawsuit big time if bad things happen.

[ClassicDriverMan]

Broke down and got the Year One wheels. I think they look pretty darn nice. Went with the 17x8s with 25/45/17 and 17x9 with 275/40/17s. Nitto 555 by Diamond Back tire with redlines.

[tolerico]

Just want to let everyone know Year One came through with new 17x8" rims for me and they were as cast and fit perfectly. They reimbursed me not only for return shipping, but also covered for dismounting/mounting and balancing costs at Discount Tire.

Running 255/40-17 on the 8" wide rims up front, and 275/40-17 on 9" wide wheels in the rear of my '69 Firebird.

[quicksilver97ta]

Originally Posted by tolerico

Just want to let everyone know Year One came through with new 17x8" rims for me and they were as cast and fit perfectly. They reimbursed me not only for return shipping, but also covered for dismounting/mounting and balancing costs at Discount Tire.

Running 255/40-17 on the 8" wide rims up front, and 275/40-17 on 9" wide wheels in the rear of my '69 Firebird.

Originally Posted by ClassicDriverMan

Broke down and got the Year One wheels. I think they look pretty darn nice. Went with the 17x8s with 25/45/17 and 17x9 with 275/40/17s. Nitto 555 by Diamond Back tire with redlines.

Excellent! Thanks for posting guys. Tolerico we need pics when you get everything mounted please!

[ClassicDriverMan]

Just read my own post... and noticed a typo....

For the record. 17x8 and 17x9 as advertised at Year One.

Tires are 235/45/17 and 275/40/17.

[#1WideTrak]

I see the 17x8s are not in stock at PY and at Year One it says "being retooled." Does anyone have any new info regarding this issue? I'm surprised at that status since tolerico got his improved 17x8s in June.