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MG MGA - True wire wheels, mount/balance tires

I'm putting new tires on my MGA with knock-off wire wheels. When removing the wheels from the car, I noticed that each wheel had a couple of loose spokes. I would like to get the spokes tightened and the wheels trued up, which I believe should be done before mounting the tires and then get the tires mounted and balanced. Does anyone have a recommendation for a shop that can do this work? I'm in Connecticut and would prefer something within driving distance, but if necessary, could ship the wheels and tires out to get the job done right.

The wheels could use sandblasting and painting while we're at it; Any thoughts on getting these things powdercoated? Or, should I just go for the chrome wires?
TIA
Charley Robinson

Charley, this all depends on how rusted the spokes are to the nipples. You can try turning the nipple on the loose spoke with a small spanner to snug it up, without any effect on the rim. If it won't budge, try some penetrating oil etc until it will. Maybe heat is required or heat + quench. If all fails you will have to cut out the loose spoke and replace it. This may entail taking out more spokes depending on the lacing order. if the rim is straight (jack up the car and spin it) then just snug up the loose ones and it will stay straight. If it is crooked, take it to an expert.
Art

Charlie, there are a couple of places in the US that can refurbish wires, but none that I'm aware of in the New England area. If you're using the original 48 spoke wheels it would probably be almost as expensive to just buy new painted wheels. I have heard some down side stories about powder coated wires. Seems the powder coating likes to crack around the spoke nipples because of flex and then rust begins. That's just like painted wheels, but the powder coating is a bear to remove and replace unlike paint. If you like the look and can afford the chrome rims with stainless spokes that isn't a bad way to go. I'd also recommend the 60 spoke wheels, which were an option on the MGA, as they are much stronger than the 48 spoke wheels and will give longer life before needing attention.
Bill Young

I would contact Wheel Repair Service of New England, in Auburn MA, 508-832-4949. This is what they do, thought my guess is they would recommend you buy a set of new Dayton wires, rhat ther than try to restore the wheels you have. The splines on the wheels and hubs need to be checked too. If they are worn, I know what I would do/did...new hubs, new wheels (Daytons).
brucep

Bill is right - 48 spoke wheels are not strong enough and need frequent tuning to keep in shape. 60 spoke (and 72) don't seem to suffer from this.

I'd check your hubs to be sure the splines are in really good shape (no point putting new wheels on worn splines - they'll be trash in a relatively short time) and buy some new wheels. The 72 spoke for MGC or TR6 would be my choice.
Bill Spohn

Charlie:

The place in Auburn, MA that Bruce recommended is excellent. They did a terrific job on my wire wheels, which had been suffering from frequent flat tires before they remounted and balanced the tires/tubes on them. Good luck.

M.D.
'57 Coupe
M. D.

No recommendations for actual shops but I was plagued with "balance" problems on my MGA with 48 spoke rims. The wheels were true and the spokes all tight. Several times I would take the wheels with tires mounted to a reputable tire shop and get them balanced (yes the right way and with the proper adapter for wire rims etc) but still around the comfortable cruising speed (60 MPH) the "shakes" would start. Balancing also produced several large weights on each wheel. A friend recommended a local tire shop that still had one of the old floor "spin" balancers that allows for the wheels to be balanced on the car. The advantge being that you are balancing the wheel taking all of the front hub variances into consideration as well. The difference was day and night. The weights were so small they were hard to notice. I had installed a 3.9 rear end as well so crusiing speeds could now increase to 65 - 70 MPH. Smooth as silk and effortless gripping of the steering wheel. Regardless of new wheels or re-furbed wheels this is the only way I'll get tires balanced again. FWIW !!

Mike
60 MGA
73 MGB
Michael Hosier

This thread was discussed between 17/03/2006 and 20/03/2006

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