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Re: wire wheels

To: "MG List" <mgs@autox.team.net>
Subject: Re: wire wheels
From: Max Heim <mvheim@studiolimage.com>
Date: Mon, 5 Apr 1999 18:40:56 -0700
On maintenance...

Wire wheels, while quite dashing in appearance, definitely require more 
maintenance than bolt-on steel wheels or mags. Depending on your 
tolerance for vibration through the steering wheel, they will need to be 
trued and balanced more-or-less regularly (more often than you go through 
a set of tires, at any rate). They also need to be keep scrupulously 
clean since they have hundreds of little crevices where rust can start. 
If you neglect the truing regimen, you can start accumulating broken 
spokes, a situation which will snowball until you have a real problem 
(like a Dunlop pretzel). Also you need to remove the wheels and re-grease 
the hub splines from time to time, to avoid them freezing to the hub. 
Then too, consider your personal tolerance for banging on things with a 
lead hammer.

However, that said, don't let me dissuade you. I personally prefer the 
look of wires on chrome bumper MGs. And YMMV -- my experience is on the 
earthquake-wracked freeways of the Bay area, which make Manhattan 
pavement seem smooth as butter.

Frank Walker had this to say:

>hello, i am considering conveting my 76 MGB to wire wheels. can any of you 
>tell
>me what is required and what to look out for as I search for parts. also what
>kind of mantainace is required. the only wire wheel experence i have is on 
>my 26
>ford and they have welded spokes.
>
>thank
>
>26 ford
>48 packard
>66 corvair
>71 MGB
>76 MGB
>76 Midget
>
>
>


--

Max Heim
'66 MGB GHN3L76149
Runs great, 
looks particularly bad since some SUV clown backed into it.
If you're near Mountain View, CA,
it's the red one with the silver bootlid.


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