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MG MGA - help please loose spokes

I have just come across a problem while cleaning the wheels, it appears to be just one of the wheels but there would seem to be a lot of loose (wobble with my fingers) spokes, maybe 10 to 15 and i find it worrying, is there anything i can do or is it a specialist job, any advice would be appreciated
Vin Rafter

Hi Vin, definitely an MOT fail. Can be tricky to tighten them as they may be rusted -it is possible to do it yourself ( after removing the tyre) but then you can distort the wheel if they are tightened unevenly. If it were mine, I think that I would invest in a new one.
Cam Cunningham

I've always thought it a bad idea to switch wheels around the car (as the driver's handbook advises to equalise tyre wear) in the case of spoked wheels, thinking that it could contribute to the loosening of spokes due to the wheels being subject to opposite forces in their changed position. For instance, a front right hand wheel has its rim trying to turn clockwise about the hub when braking heavily. If this wheel is moved to the rear right position, it will be stressed in the opposite direction under rapid acceleration. What do others think; is this a reasonable consideration?
Lindsay Sampford

Not a consideration. Wire wheels in good condition are happy under acceleration or braking and either direction of rotation.

About as often as you change engine oil you should take five seconds to inspect each spoke wheel. You need to "ping" each spoke to assure that it is tight, and they should all make approximately the same sound. If some go "ping" and some go "thunk"", you're screwed, and the wheel needs serious maintenance.

When autocrossing regularly with SCCA, or perhaps racing with any race sanctioning group, wire wheels should be inspected at beginning of every race date, or every day. The procedure is really quick. You don't have to tap every spoke with a wrench. Lay the back of your finger (finger nail) against a spoke. Then run your finger around the wheel so your finger nail will bounce on each spoke while you are listening to the music. It only takes a few seconds, and it is very easy to hear if one spoke is out of tune.

For most applications, one loose or broken spoke is acceptable (with a word to the wise to get it fixed before the next race date). More than one loose or broken spoke is instant tech failure, go fix it before they will let your car on the track. A loose spoke is serious, because it overloads the adjacent spokes which will soon work loose as well. If all the spokes are tight they usually stay that way for a long time.
Barney Gaylord

My experience with 60 spoke wheels indicates a very good investment. I have never had a problem since I fitted them. Highly recommended if you need new ones Vin.
Barry
Barry Gannon

I back up Barry and Barney's comments. I have two sets of wheels (wide sticky tyres and normal radials) and regularly change wheels during the year depending on what I'm doing. I haven't found any problem with these 60 spoke wheels (less than 10 years old). With a former A with old 48 spoke wheels I was regularly having to have spokes replaced after spirited driving (motorkhanas, hill climbs, sprints).
Mike
Mike Ellsmore

thanks for all your comments, my wheels are 60 spoke chrome and about 10 years old but in good condition apart from the one with loose spokes! i also hate the idea of scraping such a good looking wheel but if i must so be it, can anyone point me at a cheap wheel shop!!
Vin Rafter

This thread was discussed between 06/03/2012 and 07/03/2012

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