Rallye 1 trim rings
 

I need help. My 66 is just about done except the trim rings. The MF’n trim rings.....

I have original Rallye 1’s on my GTO. I ordered reproduction trim rings and they didn’t fit. Called Ames where I ordered them and they said I ordered the wrong ones- these were for reproduction wheels. They said they probably won’t give me my money back because I ordered the wrong ones. These are clearly too deep and hit the wheel- they are significantly bent up after trying to put them on.

So I drop another $250 on the ones that are supposed to fit the original Rallye 1’s per the guy that works at Ames.

I go to put them on tonight and they won’t go on. The clips seem a little tight so I try to play with the clips but get nowhere. So maybe it’s the wheel weights? I pry off the smallest one I can find. No change.

Play with the clips some more and almost get them on but then I notice they are hitting the openings in the wheels. Now the trim ring is bent to sh!t and won’t stay on.

So I am $500 in trim rings in, Ames pretty much thinks I am an idiot because I keep ordering crap that won’t work.

Does anyone have an idea what I am doing wrong? Has anyone experienced this?

Does anyone have a better source for the trim rings for original Rallye 1’s?

Can you post photos of your Factory Rally I wheels and the trim rings showing the clips?

Chris.

Too tight fit problem:
If your new rings have sharp little tabs, they can be bent back a little bit to make them less tight. This allows them to be installed without warping the ring.



For the fit against the slots, it is my understanding no ring made today fits original Rally I wheels. It is expected that the customers accept a gap at the wheel edge.


Some years ago, I trimmed 6 reliefs on the inner edge of my aftermarket rings to allow them to slip all the way on. The 6 relief cuts did not show because they "slipped" under the bulges of the "slots".

It was a bit of work, but they looked good since they fit all the way on and fit tight against the rim edge.
If you go to my webpage (link below I think) and scroll down a bit, you'll see my little blurb about trim rings, and a picture of the relief cuts on my Rally I set of rings.
Good luck
Dave

Thanks Squid- I may have to look into that. Here are the pics of the wheels and second set of trim rings that are supposed to fit:

I’m okay with a little gap- but it doesn’t feel like the rings will stay on. Maybe if I have the tires dismounted and clamp them around?

I had a bad time getting original Rally 2 trim rings on. At the suggestion of someone here (I think), I put the car up on stands and let some air out the tires. Rings ended up going on nicely and stayed put after airing up the tires. Worth a try, yeah?

That may be worth a try- letting air out of the tires

A few taps with a rubber mallet may be helpful in the end. I think I ended up with 15 pounds in the tires, though it could have been less. Not a total deflating; didn't want to lose the seal.

OEM Trim Rings
 

1965gp,

Sorry to hear about that expensive frustration involving the repro trim rings.

The correct factory Rally I trim rings had a depth of 2-1/8”.

These rings were designed to go past the six flared slots without touching the silver paint.

They utilized the 4 steel clips that grabbed the lip of the rim.

I’ve never had to release air out of the tires to mount / dismount the factory trim rings.

BTW, I would never use a mallet as that will leave a flat spot on the outside lip of the trim ring.

I’ve simply applied a spot of white grease on the rolled part of the clips and the edge of the rim where the clips meet.

Goes on like butter with the heel of your hand.

White grease on clips.

The difference between the Rally I ring at 2-1/8” and the Rally II ring at 2”.

Chris.

I am going to call Ames today and see what they want to do. I think the grease is a good option, I think I will still have to cut the base of the trim rings to go around the slots in the wheels

I've had the challenge of installing original style rings with the clip on the edge onto a ralley 1 wheel. This goes back to the early 90's Deflating the tire was the only way to get the rings to install. The problem was that radial tires have a much greater sidewall bulge than bias-ply. However, once installed they stayed on there with no problem

Soooooo according to Ames the rings I bought the first time are the ones that fit better- but they will stick out some. Now I kinda feel better that they don’t know what is right either but I will be pissed if they don’t take back the second set they told me would fit.

I got the first set of trimming I bought on- they look pretty bad. Had to set a mallet to get them on- they wouldn’t stay on the wheels without it. Obviously they look bent up now.

Still haven’t heard anything from Ames. They look better than no trim rings, but still may look into other options.

Did you try letting the air out of your tires and installing them. Worked for me. BTW, notice the original trim rings were 'brushed' not fully polished like the ones in your pic.

The ones that Ames say fit have the pointed clips that go against the wheel vs the ones that go around the edge of the wheel so letting the air out wouldn’t have made a difference.

Here are some pics of the trim rings and the car mostly completed. I’m pretty happy with the car- paint cane out pretty clean- you cAn see the reflection of the 30th TA in the side.

Very nice. The red fender liners look great with the relines and gold body.

Thanks! Several people said not to go with this color or the liners but I had faith it would work out

Buddy of mine had the same issue on his '65 GTO with repro trim rings. The trick of letting air out of the tires always worked for him.