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MG MGA - Wheel balancing wire wheels

Has anyone found a shop that can spin balance wire wheels while on the car? Has anyone had good results and no wheel damage by having the wheels balanced on the regular spin balancers, wheels off the car?
Barry Sandman
Baz

This thread ran about a month ago. I own a spin balancer that mounts wire wheels just the same as any. On car balancers are only an advantage if something besides the tire & wheel assembly are out of balance. If that is the case fix that problem first dont cover it up. The most important thing about wire wheels is that they are trued properly and the spokes are tight. You really cant balance out a wobble. A good computer spin balancer can balance an assembly side to side (different amounts of wieght at different locations on each side) an on car set up really can't.At least not in a simple manner.
Good luck with your wheels
Randy
R J Brown

Thanks Randy, I have a bit of vibration in the steering wheel at 55 MPH and am afraid that the local shops will mess up my brand new wire wheels.
Barry
Baz

The corrollary question I have is where do you get the the wire wheels trued?

I've also noticed a couple of slightly bent spokes that should probably be replaced.

I thought about the local Harley dealer but I can't imagine that their jig to test true is wide enough or the hub large enough to accommodate the MG wheels.

Tysen

Tysen,
I would think that a Harley dealer can handle 5 inch rims, given what I see on modern motorcycles now.
mike parker

Randy
Is it avisable to check the balance, etc. on the WHEEL before the tire is mounted? This is to check for out of true condition or some kind of wheel imbalance.

I have some NEW chrome wheels that I will be having tires mounted to soon and I just was looking for some advise. My dealer had the newest and most modern balencing equipment plus he sold me a lot of tires in the 60's for my first MGA and knows the buisness. (He started as a one man shop and grew into the biggest retail and wholesale tire shop in the area.)

There a couple very good wire wheel specialists within 80 mi. of here but is it worth the trouble to go there.
See: http://www.hendrixwirewheel.com/index.shtml

Thanks for the comments,

Jim
James Ferguson

If you have the tire off the wheel and can throw it on the spin balancer it is a good way to check the wheel for wobble and balance. If it is wobbling more that 1/8 or more than 2 oz out of balance, (a good wheel is usually less that 1/2 oz out), I would address the wheel first. Marking the heavy spot on the wheel and moving the tire around to find the place where it needs the least weight also helps. Some new tires actually have the heavy spot marked. And if you want to be real carefull while mounting the tires just use the mounting machine as a holding fixture and put the tires on by hand. If you use the 155 165 or 175 by 15 tires they are flexible enough to do it if you use enough tire lube. Less chance of pinching a tube also. If nothing metal ever touches your new chrome you cant get a scratch can you.
Good luck Randy
R J Brown

This thread was discussed between 07/08/2005 and 08/08/2005

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