A-Mold Wheel Questions--Need Advice!

[GSJoe]

Just bought a set of used A-Molds for my '90 ZR-1. The private seller told me the rears were OEM but the fronts were after-market. I asked if they looked different, and he replied the difference was very slight. When the wheels arrived they were all, indeed, in excellent, like-new condition, but the finish of the fronts really did not look similar enough to the rears to please me. They have a metallic finish that sparkles in the sunlight. To be completely satisfied I ordered online two OEM front A-Mold wheels from what I thought to be a reputable wheel reconditioner and supplier. That's when a comedy of errors began to emerge. I won't go into all the details but today, almost a week later, I have only one wheel. The other wheel is lost somewhere in the UPS system. Upon close examination of the one wheel that did make it here, though, I'm getting a bit concerned that it isn't an OEM wheel. There is no GM part number on the inside (10214046 is what I've seen on other known OEM wheels). In addition, it says on one inner spoke "Made in USA". I thought I once read that OEM A-Molds were made in Japan. There is no "AFS" marking on the back of the wheel and no "JWL" on the front side. Once again, all the original A-Molds, I thought, had these markings. I'm about ready to send this wheel back and tell the seller to scrap the whole deal. What do you think?

[ScottZ95ZR1]

You are correct. If the wheel has Made in USA stamped on it is not OEM.

The OEM Amold front wheel is stamped 10214046 AFR and rear is 10214047 AFS. I believe all OEM wheels will have those numbers cast on the inside of one spoke and JPN on another.

The JWL is most often present on the outside of the wheel - but I have seen a couple that did not.

[Scrrem]

Here's some pics of OEM markings for front wheels:

https://picasaweb.google.com/1180744...16297427810770

https://picasaweb.google.com/1180744...16316152876866

Rich

[GOLDCYLON]

Originally Posted by GSJoe

Just bought a set of used A-Molds for my '90 ZR-1. The private seller told me the rears were OEM but the fronts were after-market. I asked if they looked different, and he replied the difference was very slight. When the wheels arrived they were all, indeed, in excellent, like-new condition, but the finish of the fronts really did not look similar enough to the rears to please me. They have a metallic finish that sparkles in the sunlight. To be completely satisfied I ordered online two OEM front A-Mold wheels from what I thought to be a reputable wheel reconditioner and supplier. That's when a comedy of errors began to emerge. I won't go into all the details but today, almost a week later, I have only one wheel. The other wheel is lost somewhere in the UPS system. Upon close examination of the one wheel that did make it here, though, I'm getting a bit concerned that it isn't an OEM wheel. There is no GM part number on the inside (10214046 is what I've seen on other known OEM wheels). In addition, it says on one inner spoke "Made in USA". I thought I once read that OEM A-Molds were made in Japan. There is no "AFS" marking on the back of the wheel and no "JWL" on the front side. Once again, all the original A-Molds, I thought, had these markings. I'm about ready to send this wheel back and tell the seller to scrap the whole deal. What do you think?

Bottom line if you dont see "Made in JPN" and an AFS number on the backside of the wheel and a stamped "JWL" on the front wheel. Its not a GM factory A Mold wheel.

However AFS did make an OEM looking wheel however the AFS would still be on the backside that was made in the US for a short period of time.

Based upon your post. You do not have OEM A-molds

[GSJoe]

Thanks folks. I've just contacted the seller indicating I will send the bogus wheel back today. I appreciate your swift help to verify my suspicions about this wheel.