Can I pull the face off/unbolt a 3pc-wheel WHILE IT'S STILL ON THE TIRE???? I wanna refinish the face without breaking the bead, but don't wanna risk breaking/bending the lip. Thanks in advance.

 

Hello...nobody?

 

I think the shape can bend and not hold very well when you do this. With tire and pressure still in tact... Why do you not want to break the bead?

 

I have seen it done before not sure if its safe or not....

 

Wanna clean the wheels properly and ( hopefully) not remove the tire. Work VS-XX wheels have a gap between the face and lip. In that little pocket, dirt gets trapped. When i clean the wheels, they look great. But the minute i drive, centrifugal force of the wheels turnimg pushes all the dirt trapped behind there....out. like i never cleaned thew at all.

 

I would say a small toothbrush or wire tube cleaning brush, you could wrap it with a cloth, or even a gun cleaning kit has the small flat hole end that you can put the cotton cloth thought and run it in the gaps... I will also see what else I can find out...
Have you tried contacting Work Wheels and asking their cleaning protocols? Or even a dealer for them? They may be able to tell you this.
I personally wouldn't want to be taking all the screws out and putting them back in a lot, my guess it that they use some sort of Loc-tite and would be hard and also not super safe...

 

to answer your question, yes you can but i suggest against it!

i have done this with two piece wheels but not with three. the risk i see is the lip and barrel separating since the only thing that will be holding them together is the silicone sealant on the inside. compromise the sealant and you get slow leaks then have to reseal anyway. of course the tire should be fully deflated (not necessarily de-beaded) if you decide to do this. there is also a slight possibility of the wheel/tire going off balance.