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Hi all--
Haven't been on Brickboard in a while but found my dream car here 2 years ago and really loving it. I am now looking for a set of Virgo wheels to pimp out my wagon! Anyone have any for sale?
Thanks!
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Can't help with the wheel but for whenever you get them, I just wanted to give you a heads-up that the Virgo wheel is unusual in its placement of the deep channel -- you should remind the guy who mounts your tires to put the wheel in the mounting machine reverse of what he would normally do.
I had a bad experience with some expensive tires -- the tire guy was new (a trainee), and put the wheel on the machine in the normal fashion, and when he tried to force the first of my expensive tires on the first wheel, the tire's bead wasn't in the deep channel and he ripped the bead to pieces trying to simply force it on! And I had to wait an extra day for them to reorder a replacement.
Good luck.
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Thank you! I had heard of this and if I get them will be sure to let the tire person know!
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Hiya Auntie Monique,
As you are accepting of having a set of Virgo wheels shipped to you and your Volvo 240 wagon in lovely Madison, WI, please try Rainbow Auto Service in beautiful Bellingham, WA.
http://www.rainbowautoservice.com/parts/AlloyWheels.htm
You'll see Larry has a host of wheels, mostly West Coast wheels, though the image may not reflect what Larry has on hand and their condition. He'll record images and send them to you, I'm certain.
Also, while the 15" Virgo wheel is the stalwart of Volvo factory alloys for the 240 since the latest Volvo 240/242 GT and Volvo 240 Turbo models, please keep in mind these wheels are very soft and exceptionally heavy for alloy wheels. Virgos are much heavier than the 14" 240 and 15" 140, 164, 700, and 900 steelies. Volvo did reissue these wheels through the 1990s, so if you can get a set that are made in the later 1980s or early 1990s, they may be in better condition than a set that fell off a 1982 240 coupe in the snowy and salty winters in North America. Each wheel is stamped with a date and manufacturer nation. Some are made in Norway while others are made in Germany. They may be other originating nations that may Virgo wheel fan prefer as they, apparently, use better alloy metal and casting methods. I think the Virgos from Norway or ??? are choice. You may want to search here on the brickboard or try turbobricks.com (requires account) to continue your research.
With any older alloy wheel, you'll want to verify (usually at a tire or wheel shop):
- The wheels are straight, true, and free of fractures.
- The bead, where the tire seals against the wheel, is not excessively pitted or damaged that it cannot be reconditioned.
- The clear coat finish is in acceptable shape and can be easily treated with touch-up in small areas with a visually matching sealing method.
- Small corrosion areas, where the clearcoat has failed, can be easily treated.
Alloy wheels can be very expensive to have a wheel shop straighten them, as the wheel has to be heated in an oven or kiln. Bead or sandblasting may cost around 50$ a wheel. However, the new clear coat methods bond better today than thirty years ago. You can contact wheel shops that do this work or send it to a wheel service, perhaps in Milwaukee, that do this. Always best to go to the source for such service.
You can do most of this work yourself to clean and seal the alloy wheel surface. You also have an opportunity to dress of the wheel with a different matching or contrasting color scheme of your choice.
You want, for safety's sake, to be certain the wheel is straight and true and free of fractures from a prior curb or pothole impact.
Your can check the brickboard Classifieds
(https://www.brickboard.com/CLASSADS/), eBay, and Tasca Volvo parts for wheel and replacement plastic center caps that fit the Virgos and other Volvo alloy wheels.
Of course, shop around for good tires to put on the Virgos. I think 15" 195 60 series tire size is standard for the 15" Virgo wheels and won't change speedometer and odometer accuracy too much from the 14" 185 70-series wheel / tire setup. A tire shop can help you. Michelin tires are best on your Volvo, IMHO.
You'll want the tire shop to use the adhesive weights when performing the spin balance of the tire and wheel assembly. Many less well equipped tire shops use the weights that clamp onto the wheel bead edge, damaging the finish and inducing surface corrosion into the bead sealing area. Better equipped shops will use the aforementioned weights as they use a durable adhesive to stick to the wheel without damaging the finish.
And try Larry at his Rainbow Auto Service in beautiful Bellingham.
I guess that does it.
Hope that helps.
Questions?
MacDuff.
--
Kulshan Brewery, Bellingham, WA. www.kulshanbrewery.com
I rather reside in Nordica and the more just and verdant nations there.
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Wow! This is a lot of information to digest! I'll do a bit more research. Are there any other type of wheel you may recommend that can give the same look that are good quality?
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Hi Auntie Volvo Queen,
Sorry. I do tend do go on so.
Like what Uncle joekidd suggests, the newer 15 inch alloy wheels from the 700/900 series may be more serviceable, yet you may have all the same issues with any used wheel.
The 240 has not much room for a wheel / tire assembly much larger or wider than a 14" / 70 height / 205 wide, 14/70/205. With a 14"/70/205, you'll get contact between the inner tire corner and the strut as well as the inner fender in the rear wheel well. The Volvo steelies you have are 14" and 5.5" wide.
A 15" inch Virgo is, I think, still 5.5" wide. So, you use a lower profile tire of 60 and in width 185 or, more typically, 195.
Any combination that is wider and / or taller will make tire contact with the strut tower at front or the inner fender in the rear when making some harder than normal turns and cornering.
There's nothing wrong with the Virgos, other than being very heavy, probably the heaviest of the alloys made for the 240. Yet like I said, a use set of the five-spoke wheels you find on 940s that are sort of similar to the Virgos may be somewhat lighter.
I'm really not the person to ask when it comes to aesthetic tastes one may have for their Volvo 240. I'm staying with the 240 steelies.
One I have 240 has the 14" Corona wheels and they have the large clip-on hubcap that does not hold up too well.
I also forgot to mention ... your 1990 240 wagon has the wheel to hub alignment pin on all four hubs. The alignment pin is there if you want to do a spin balance of the wheel / tire assembly with the wheel on the hub. A pricey way to spin-balance tires. That pin also serves as one of the two pieces of hardware that secure the brake disk rotor to the hub assembly. So, older Virgos and other Volvo alloy wheels won't have the small diameter hole to accommodate the wheel to hub alignment pin. Most merely replace the pin with a bolt so they can mount the older wheels.
Again, the made in Norway Virgos may be newer, a tougher alloy, with the hole for the alignment pin.
Your may want to look at Dave Barton's web page. He may have some wheels or some info that may have wheel information closer to you. http://davebarton.com/.
I'm pleased with the steelie wheels. Certainly the final 14" version for 240. They are relatively light and strong. I go with the two-piece steelie hub caps you may recall seeing through the seventies and up to the mid 1980s. Then again, I like the Volvo 240. I also like Nordica design, else, I have no style sense.
I'd rather have a 15" steelie wheel from a 700 or 940 (same bolt pattern, same offset, yet remove the plastic wheel cover for, again, the two-piece metal hubcap with the V on the center cap / retainer. I'd use a 50 or sixty series tire at 185 or 195 width.
Using a 16" tire, if any were made for rear wheel drive Volvo that fit the 240, may require such a low profile tire a single pothole strike may damage tire and wheel. The 960/S90/V90 series had 16" and larger diameter tires, yet they may not fit the wheel offset (distance in or out of centerline) for the 240 hub.
If you can find a good set of Virgos, and they seem serviceable and without too much corrosion, I guess go with them.
Another reason you want alloy wheel in good condition ... the wheel are made of a less noble alloy than the steel used in the brake disk rotor and hub components. Badly corroded alloy wheels, certainly the inside area of the alloy wheel that contacts the hub, can accelerate corrosion of the hub part like the brake disk, hub parts, the rear parking brake parts, and so on. It may take years for problem to form, yet just be aware when you are into the hub assembly.
After having some difficulties with used Volvo alloy wheels, I felt it useful to pass on some information so others don't have to be disappointed.
So if you find a set of four or five Virgos, I guess go with it, just be sure you don't find yourself disappointed after the purchase, or that you have to shell out more $$$ to repair them. Replacement tires alone will be pricey enough.
The Hydra wheel from the 940s may be of fancy to you. These is one or two other broad five spoke wheels besides the Hydra. On that image from Rainbow motors, it is the second wheel in the top row.
!A listing of wheel for Volvo 240, try:
http://home.blarg.net/~volvo242gt/wheels.html
Thanks to John H. Laughlin. It is the 15" Draco I'm thinking about that you may like. It comes on later 700 series and early 900 series. Same size as the Virgo, yet may be newer, stronger, and lighter. I've not encountered these wheels in person, but they appear the similarly to the Virgo, yet fresher. Please note the part number information. When you use Google or Bing to search, use Volvo and the part number and see what comes up. You can Try Tasca parts to see what these are new, if available, and if they are, they'll be somewhat pricey, but compare a used 60$ wheel + 50-100$ to rehab, and the tire price.
You should be able to find any of these used. The list John's page is not wholly exhaustive. For example, the MSW wheels that came on the 780 coupe. These wheels look like the Scorpius X or Multi X. The more complicated the wheel pattern, the more the cleaning headache, though. Brake dust and all.
You may want to dedicate the alloy wheels you choose as summer tires and the 14" steelies you have now for winter tires.
Oh, and be certain the tires are no older than seven years or so. Tires start to break down much faster after seven years of age, no matter the miles.
Sorry, I did not mean to sound so alarmist.
I place safety, reliable function, and known service or repair state of a thing before making the 240 look better.
Hope that helps.
Questions?
Kitty's into the Buttermilk again.
--
The cat had a serious cheese and other fermented dairy products problem. The blue Stilton cheese made it worse. We plan an intervention to end at the Bettery Ford Clinic. The probiotic-full kefir did help teh digestion issues, though.
1978 & 1979 Volvo 242 GT 14" x 5.5 width wheels.
Virgos DIY painted silver. DIY as the balance weights are painted silver, too. You should not use these type of wheel weight on alloy wheels.
Thanks to Jarrod Stenberg making this post possible.
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I also quite like these Voxx that IPD sells. Apparently they will fit my car. They are 16 inch rims. What do you think?
Here is the link:
http://www.ipdusa.com/products/7696/114440-voxx-mg3-wheels
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Monique, I emailed you photos and additional info ~5 days ago, just notified that it was server rejected by the address for you on this site...
Are you still interested in the Virgos?
I think the later alloys mentioned are indeed of more modern manufacture and more durable, but none look as good or correct on 240s. Powdercoating to match your car still is the best suggestion I've heard, and will give them a finish more durable than any OEM alloy.
Steel wheels, in any configuration, meh...
Michael
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Yes, I'm still interested and realize everyone has an opinion on it. I have not heard back from my Volvo mechanic who by the way has been working on these cars since they have been born so no worries on him giving me the proper advice. He is one I would trust my life with. He does an amazing job with my car. Anyway, hmmm, can you send them to my email @ seoul_sister_415@yahoo.com Try again and see if it works. I'll have to wait until monday to speak to my mechanic since it's the weekend now but you could also post pics here if you don't mind as I see there is an upload image button below!
thanks for your patience. These are still my fav. wheels by far. BTW can you confirm the origin of the wheels? Were they made in Norway? Approximately what year were they made and also they are 15" right?
Thanks! Monique
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Hi Aunte Volvo Queen,
http://www.ipdusa.com/products/7696/114440-voxx-mg3-wheels
These wheels look nice and are not too pricey on sale.
The rim is 7" wide, and with the 20mm offset may not fit. A 16" wheel may require like a 40 or 50 series tire at the most for sidewall height.
May want to contact iPd by phone and ask them.
As you are concerned with wheels to pimp up your white 189 Volvo 240, you may want to consider:
- Suspension condition (bushings, shock absorbers, upper strut mount [Volvo PN 1272455 ONLY], lower ball joints, inner and outer tie rods, the boots that protect the inner tie rods).
- Brakes pads, brake fluid. (Is the brake fluid in your 1990 Volvo 240 a golden and clear color? Anything in a dark tan or darker demands brake fluid replacement).
- Front hub bearings? At least inspected, checked for torque, and packed with fresh NLGI 2 quality wheel bearing grease?
Does your Volvo have the under engine belly pan?
Have you checked the OBD-1 for fault codes in the fuel injection, ignition, and emissions systems?
See https://www.brickboard.com/FAQ/700-900/EngineOBDCodes.htm.
And see (https://www.brickboard.com/FAQ/700-900/).
And (https://www.brickboard.com/FAQ/700-900/BuyingUsed7xx.htm).
Some of this applies to 240 series generally. No comprehensive 240 series FAQ exists, yet.
There exists a host of matters that may require your attention on your white 1990 Volvo 240 wagon so your Volvo operates as well as possible.
You may also want to purchase the blue Bentley Volvo 240 service bible. It is the hallmark of Volvo service information so keep your brick rolling and do so with safely and with economy.
Just a few suggestions.
I would like to dress up my three 240 OvLovs, yet just keep them in fine tune, for now. Nothing fancy.
Questions and comments?
Hope that helps.
Happy Friday.
Dairy Comestibles Commenter.
--
Volvo LOLz!
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Wow. Lot's more to think about. I like the Dracos. Not a fan of the Hydras. I like the two piece hub cap idea with the V in the center. Maybe I should just change my caps? Seems like a cheaper alternative. If I get the Virgos I'd like to have them painted white to match the car.
I have a 1989 Wagon not 1990 but I've not heard of this alignment pin.
Thanks again for all the info! :)
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Hiya Aunte Volvo Queen,
What wheels do you have on your Volvo now? The 14" steelies with the factory or some after market plastic wheels?
Maybe on eBay or on the brickboard classified ads (https://www.brickboard.com/CLASSADS/) has these two-piece stainless wheel covers like you see on the 78-85 or so 240 with steelies in the D, DL and other trim classes.
I like the steelies as they are strong, lights, and some without alloy wheel foibles. Yet I'd like the Dracos since they are very much like the Virgos, yet look a little fresher, and may be, or appear as a more modern alloy wheel design.
See (http://www.volvovic.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/alloy_wheels.pdf).
A search on ebay, Google, or Bing may reveal online wheel shops that have refurbished Volvo alloy wheels. Someone had a question on wheels for there 940 and I replied topically the same with concerns one may want to keep in mind when one shops for used wheels for their OvLov.
You may be able to find the two piece stainless wheel cover for the (I guess) 14" steelies you have now.
As for painting a set of Virgos or Draco in a perfect white that matches the white exterior or your 1990 240 estate (wagon), you'll really want to have the allow wheels fully refurbished with a durable powder coat or other finish. (The materials for wheel finishes are evolving rapidly.)
You may also consider using low dust or other brake pads. Ceramic brake pads come to mind for your 240 as the brake dust is not the heavy and hot brake powder. You'll also need to keep the wheels clean of brake dust. Heavy braking and hard driving can heat up brakes, yield hot brake dist, so after your white 1990 240 has cooled, wash off the wheels. The wheel store or wheel refurbish facility should provide you with information on what chemicals and tools you use, like what brushes and how heavy the bristles, so you remove the first without harming the white finish you desire.
That'd look cool, though, white Dracos, Virgos, or even Volvo 14" steelies with two piece stainless center hub caps in white matching the body color of your Volvo 240!
With the steelies, some have cleaned and painted the steelie wheels to the color they like with the tire on the wheel. May not look as professional yet may give the appearance you desire.
If you go with the two piece stainless hub caps over the steelies, the relief around the center cap V sometimes loses the black paint. Easily repainted to the color you choose.
Sorry for my tardy reply.
When you remove the wheel from the 240 hub from about 1987-89 and later, you'll see two pieces of hardware securing the brake disk rotor to the hub.
The two pieces of securing hardware are steel metric M6 (M8?) bolts. You use a 10 millimeter socket or spanner to remove these. On the Volvo 240/700 and newer from about 1987-89 and later, one of these two pieces of securing hardware became a pin that extends above (proud of) where the M6 bolt head is. You have to use a 10 mm spanner wrench to loosen it when you need to remove the brake disk rotor.
This pin is here to allow consistent mount alignment of the wheel to the hub. That is, when the pin is installed in the same of the two locating holes through which the M6 bolts secure the brake disk rotor to the hub. If you turn the hub so the two holes or M6 hardware both heads are above the hub center, I think the pin goes to the rear.
The pin allows the wheel / tire assembly to be balanced while on the hub, the rotating mass spins in complete balance using the weights on the wheel. There may be another reason for this feature. I'm unsure. Yet we are driving Volvo 240s, not a Koenigsegg, the Swedish "Hypercar".
Some remove the pin so they can mount older wheels that do not have the hole to align with the pin. You may not need to worry about it.
I leave mine on and merely mount the wheel / tire assembly to the hub. I do reinstall the lug nuts to the same lug studs through, every time.
Does that help, I hope?
Questions and comments?
Kitties without need for antihistamines?
Antihistamines without the antihistamine hangover?
Happy Friday!
Buttermilk MacDuffy's Tavern.
--
More Volvo and Kitty meme action!
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Go with some alloys from the 740/940 series 15s or 16s.
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So you are advising against the virgos? I'm not looking for performance rims. Just like the look of the virgos. Thanks for your input!
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I do, where are you located?
Michael in NH
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I'm in Wisconsin. I could pay to have them shipped. Also traveling to North Carolina this summer but that's still a long way from New Hampshire. What are you asking for them? Are they in decent condition? Do you know where there is a place where I could have them repainted?
Thanks, Monique
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Hi, Monique,
You're right, NC is still aways from NH...Shipping should be possible.
The wheels are in better than decent shape, though definitely not perfect.
I'd say plenty nice enough for a "daily driver" as they are.
I could take pictures if it helps.
However to make them look new, if it was me, I would probably go with powdercoating...I have had wheels done locally by a real pro and they came out spectacular...I believe $300/set was what I paid several years back.
Not that painting wouldn't be a good solution, but I don't have a known good resource locally.
$250/set seems fair to me, let me know what works for you.
Michael
(603) 353-4398
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Wow. Ok. I have a lead on another set a guy is selling for $180 plus shipping. I'd be curious what shipping costs from NH. So you want $250 plus shipping or are you including shipping with that? I have no idea what something like this would cost to ship.
I'd love some photos if you have them. If they are better than decent do you mean just a few dings, etc? They aren't cracked or dented are they?
Powder coating is a great idea!! I have a white 240 wagon and was thinking if I can match the white reasonably I'd like to have them done in white. Could be really cool looking if it works. :) My car is a daily driver but since I live in the winter rust belt I would swap them out for the steel rims and winter tires when the snow sets in.
My zipcode is 53704. Can you find out what the shipping cost would be if you aren't including it in your price?
Thanks! I'm psyched thinking about putting them on my car! :)
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Not cracked or dented, some scratches...I think they are ideal for a color change/ powder coat, and I like white for a white wagon...
Couldn't do it for $250 with shipping, I'm guessing ~$100 to ship the set. If more than that I'll pay the excess so it would be $350 total to you...
Clearly finding a set that was close enough not to need shipping may be your cheapest route, but let me know.
Michael
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Also I'm assuming they have the center caps?
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That sounds pretty good actually!Do you know the origin and age of this set? As the other poster said it's better to have a later set? Not sure. Also the country they come from makes a difference? Can you send a few photos to my email just so I can see them. I'm going to call my Volvo mechanic tomorrow and ask him a few questions and I will get back to you asap! :)
thanks! Monique
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