Does anyone know if there is any way to replace broken clips on the rally wheel beauty rings?

 

Hi c,
The trim ring clips were attached to the 'bands' on the ring in 2 different ways.
The 68-72 rings with the cars when they left St.Louis had bands made from several layers of steel. The clips were installed between the layers and then 2 spot welds held each clip in place. The clips were spaced equally around the ring with one of the clips at the valve stem opening.
Later original rings and reproduction rings have clips with 'ears' that slip under 2 'flanges' on the bands.
The early rings have become so rare and valuable that there are a few people restoring the clips on those rings.
The rings with the 'eared' clips are pretty easy to repair if a clip is broken.
Here's an original ring with a clip that's spot welded in place.
So just what rings you have may determine how you proceed.
Regards,
Alan

 

This is a picture of the ones on my rings

 

Observation: These things are pretty hard to get back on the rim also. I can get on side on, but the other is almost impossible.

 

This is one that is sold as a replacement. It looks like it would be easier to put on or off.

Regardless, if I do this, I will keep the stock ones stored.

 

Hi c,


From the picture that looks like it might be a nice original production ring with the clip spot welded in place.

Installing and removing the rings can be difficult.

I hold the ring in the proper orientation on the wheel and then smack the rim of the ring at each clip location with the butt of my hand to set the clip.

To remove them you need to carefully examine the clip when it's in place to learn where to INSERT the tip of a small flat screwdriver and then give it a TWIST to RELEASE the center prong on each clip.

You do need to be careful how you install and remove the rings because it's easy to ruin one by being too rough with it or using too much 'tool'. I find it more difficult to get the rings off than on without hurting them.

The picture of the ring you posted would be MY last choice for rally trim rings. Their price in the catalogues is an indication of their quality.

Regards,
Alan

 

Alan, Do you know anywhere I might be able to send these things to have replacement clips welded on. My originals are in really nice shape but there are a couple of clips broken off of 2 rings. (1 each on 2 wheels)

Thanks for the advice so far.

 

Hi C,
You first want to be certain just what rings you have, (there are later GM production rings, GM service replacement rings, reproduction rings, and aftermarket rings), in order to make sure they're WORTH putting money into them. If the side you see when installed isn't really quite nice you might want to consider one of the other options.
If you decide to try to have them repaired I'd begin by contacting Richard Fortier, Phone: (810) 750-1472
I think I remember hearing that he does them or might know someone who does the clip repair.
Regards,
Alan

 

Thank you.

 

For what this is worth.

You can buy the beauty rings with the correct clips....and there is a 'trick' to getting them in without breaking the clips...or even distorting the outside lip area.

I bought a set of four for a customers Corvette I restored and they looked great and went on relatively easy.

For me.. sending out beauty rings for clip repair is almost a loosing proposition due to most of the time the beauty ring is scuffed or dented in some way.

DUB

 

I just bought the car but the previous owner told me that there were 2 broken clips. I do not know if they are worth repairing, but they look like new other than the broken clips.

 

Hi C,
If the broken clips are on rings that were put into cars in St.Louis AND are in VERY good condition AND you want to have original rings on the car THEN the cost of repairing the clips is worth it.
If the clips are on the 'service replacement rings' or the various later rings, or on rings that also need to be buffed and re- chrome plated, clip repair cost isn't justified.
As I posted, there are at least 5 different sources for rings now, so you need to be certain what ring you have. Even the shape of the band the clips attach to has an impact on whether the rings are worth repairing or not.
There's much confusion over the rings now because of the similarity of the rings available and the perceived value of the original rings used in production.
I'm not implying that you need original production rings, just cautioning you to be aware of what you're spending your money on and don't spend too much for what you're getting.
Regards,
Alan

Here's an example of a ring/clip you don't want to spend too much money repairing… just buy a new one:
Second style band
Clip held in prongs
Uneven (wavy)crimp around ring's perimeter.
The appearance from the front side is fine but don't pay too much for it.

 

Ok One more question:

I found these clips on the Corvette Central web site> Can these beattached to original beauty rings without welding and will they hold the rings on. From my research, I am 90% sure that my rings are original and if these clips would work it would allow me to preserve them on the car.

 

Contact Corvette Central and ask how they attach.

 

Hi c,
The clips you posted the picture of are the type that were sandwiched between the layers that make up the band. They then need to be spot welded in place. Note the prongs are square.
In the picture I posted you can see the clip has 2 prongs and and the band 2 raised tabs the prongs slip into.
Getting the old clips out without damaging the trim ring itself is quite a job and installing the new clip isn't much easier.
All the things I've listed contribute to why production line rings in excellent condition have become so valuable.
Regards,
Alan

c,
It REALLY depends on just how typical of production you want parts on your car to be as to how crazy you let all this drive you!!!!

 

I appreciate the responses. I may be wasting energy try to fix these things, but I am really trying to preserve everything I can that is original.

 

Hi c,
You're far from the first person to put a lot of time and effort into keeping original parts!!!
It's one of the ways to a keep a restoration cost from exploding.
Regards,
Alan