Foams vs different wheel shapes

[bbrigg]

I've been looking at beadlock wheels for my rig and have seen some very different styles of center rings where the foams rest. Gear Head, RC4WD, Hot Racing and many other brands are simply flat. Integy and some other wheels have multiple small grooves, probably to help hold the foams in place while others like Vanquish have a single wide groove ranging from pretty shallow to quite deep.

Many people simply advise using the CI foams but this ignores the different shapes that the foams mount on. This difference will obviously affect the foams. Can anybody tell me which foams are better for the grooved wheels and which are better for the flat center rings? Should the foams be trimmed for the shape of the grooved style centers?

Sent from my LG-H870DS using Tapatalk

[Ninomaniac]

No.

[Vinnymuto]

No.

Straight to the point, yet, helpful. I love it!

[durok]

The reason for "No" would be that all foams, whether they be open or closed cell foam, will settle with time into any grooves that may be present.

All foams break in upon driving them.

[Inspector86]

IMO, part of the issue is that there is no standard in terms of wheel rings or foams. I have had this discussion with a couple of wheel manufacturers who supply wheels with smooth rings and I have reached a point where I machine grooves in my rings to prevent the foam from shifting uncontrollably on the ring. It seems like a no-brainer to me that you would want grooves in the OD of the ring simply to provide traction for the foam in the same way tire tread provides traction on the ground. Here is an example of the grooves I cut in my rings.

BEFORE,


AFTER,

[UncleJohn]

If you’re worried about the foam squirming around why not put a layer of double-stick tape on the ring? We used to do that to make it easier to replace foam tires instead of directly gluing them on the wheels.

[Natedog]

Originally Posted by Inspector86

IMO, part of the issue is that there is no standard in terms of wheel rings or foams. I have had this discussion with a couple of wheel manufacturers who supply wheels with smooth rings and I have reached a point where I machine grooves in my rings to prevent the foam from shifting uncontrollably on the ring. It seems like a no-brainer to me that you would want grooves in the OD of the ring simply to provide traction for the foam in the same way tire tread provides traction on the ground.

Nice job and that should help!

Originally Posted by UncleJohn

If you’re worried about the foam squirming around why not put a layer of double-stick tape on the ring? We used to do that to make it easier to replace foam tires instead of directly gluing them on the wheels.

Yep, on-road racing, instead of gluing. With off-road, vented tires, dirt and water, the double-sided tape night not last long, but worth a try.



Or could use some 3M trim adhesive and glue them.

[Inspector86]

Originally Posted by UncleJohn

If you’re worried about the foam squirming around why not put a layer of double-stick tape on the ring? We used to do that to make it easier to replace foam tires instead of directly gluing them on the wheels.

Because I have a mini-lathe and can easily turn grooves in the wheel rings and fix the problem permanently.