Jeff, I went the way of the Panasports about 10 years ago. I've never
looked back. I was driving on 48 spoke painted wires on the 3 and it became
a new car with the Panasports. I did have to replace the chrome centers
this year due to rust, but John at TRF came through for me and for about a
third the price of a new wheel, they are like new again. So I would vote
for some form of non-wire wheel. Less maintenance, less polishing time, and
longer life - in my opinion. Liked them so much I got another set for the
TR4. Or get some steel wheels powdercoated and go that route. Oh, I went
with the knock on panasports. There is some suggestion that you replace the
splines when you replace the wheels so you could just convert to the bolt on
type -- or new splines and wheels. I use one of the old wires as a spare.
Tom
61 TR3A -- Panasport knock offs
62 TR4 -- Panasport knock offs
73 Stag - aluminum wheels, too
----- Original Message -----
From: <Jeff.A.Williamson@jci.com>
To: <triumphs@autox.team.net>
Sent: Thursday, May 31, 2007 10:01 AM
Subject: [TR] Wheel Questions
>I haven't posted here in a long time, but I still read through the list
> digest every day. And I've come to a decision point concerning the wheels
> on my '58 TR3A. I'm hoping some of you can provide me with some guidance
> here. The wheels on the car are 15"x 4.5" 60-spoke painted. They are way
> out of "true", possibly even bent or out-of-round, and the car shakes and
> handles terribly. The spokes need adjusting (according to the "pencil
> test"), but I'm having trouble getting them to turn without rounding off
> the squared ends. I even tried using a vice-grip and some of the spokes
> just won't budge. So now I don't know what to do.
>
> I don't drive the car much anymore, usually just a few times a year when
> the weather is nice, but would drive it much more if I could. And the
> roads
> here in SE Michigan are crap. Some of the local roads have potholes large
> enough to hide the TR3 inside, and most of the highways aren't in much
> better shape. So I'm looking for wheels that will stand the bad road
> beatings, will feel stable on the highway, but will handle curves in a
> manner just shy of autocrossing.
>
> So here are my questions:
> 1) Are there shops that can adjust the spokes properly, like maybe a
> motorcycle shop ? Is this a viable solution?
> 2) Should I give up on these wheels and buy a new set, maybe chrome this
> time? ;-)
> 3) Should I forget about spokes and get a set of the Panasport knock-off
> wheels and wider tires?
> 4) Other options?
>
> Your comments and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Jeff W.
> Belleville, MI
=== This list supported in part by The Vintage Triumph Register
=== http://www.vtr.org
|