Last weekend I fixed two broken spokes on a chrome wire wheel on my B.
They had been broken for quite a while -- I had just rotated the wheel to
the rear and ignored them. I deflated the tire and tried breaking the
bead loose from the rim but got nowhere. I rather thought I had done this
before, perhaps I'm getting too feeble in my old age <g>. So I took the
wheel to a nearby tire shop and had them break it loose, but not dismount
it entirely. I just squished the tire to one side to get at the back of
the nipples. The nipples were covered with a band of thick rubber
adhesive tape -- rather than unwrap everything I just slit it in two
places. Later I patched the slits with heavy duct tape. I also dabbed
some silicone sealer on the spoke heads inside the hub.
When I had the new spokes in and properly tight using the "xylophone"
test, I took the wheel back to the shop for remounting and refilling. I
probably could have done the whole job in the tire shop parking lot and
saved the trips to and fro. They didn't charge anything so the entire
cost for the job was two spokes and nipples from my Moss supplier. Much
cheaper than a complete rebuild and true-up! I wouldn't recommend this
approach for refurbishing a "junk" wheel (one of unknown balance and
trueness), but I, at least, tend to get broken spokes at a rate of two or
three every two years or so. Without this bit of DIY I'd have paid for 2
or 3 new sets of wheels by now.
BTW I am inclined to agree with those who have suggested that the chrome
spokes are more brittle than the painted ones. The new ones I installed
seemed to be polished stainless, which I am hoping will prove tougher in
use. Only 238 more to go!
Duinhoven_Hans@emc.com had this to say:
>What my GT had when I bought it, was on one wheel loose spokes. The rim
>could be moved half an inch sideways. As may spokes were rusted solid, they
>could not be retensioned. In order to avoid any risk I had the wheel
>repaired by an expert - guy who does ww repairs every day. Looks perfect now
>- feels solid as it should.
>
>Cheers,
>
>Hans
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Andrew B. Lundgren [mailto:Lundgren@iname.com]
>Sent: maandag 19 juni 2000 17:14
>To: Eric
>Cc: MG List
>Subject: Re: Wire wheel rear end
>
>
>I have never broken a spoke in the 4 years that I have had my B, or in the
>45 days I drove a GT.... Maybe I'm just not trying hard enough! :)
>
>On Tue, 20 Jun 2000, Eric wrote:
>
>> David Councill wrote:
>> >
>> > And wire wheels are not a PITA if they are maintained. Just be sure
>> > to keep the splines greased or you will pay later in much pain.
>> >
>> > I much prefer them to the rostyle wheels.
>> >
>>
>> Well, wire wheels and I have a love hate relationship thing going. I
>> love wires and even bought a new set to replace the set which was
>> growing broken spokes at a furious rate... the first broken spoke on the
>> new set sent me to Rostyle land.
>>
>> If you are going to do silly things and push your car really hard, then
>> I say go Rostyle (or stay Rostyle). Otherwise, grab those wires and
>> enjoy the "look" - they really complete a nice sports car.
>>
>> But hey, EVERYONE knows how *I* feel about wire wheels (and I miss them
>> terribly).
>>
>>
>> Eric
>> '68MGB MkII
>>
>
--
Max Heim
'66 MGB GHN3L76149
If you're near Mountain View, CA,
it's the red one with the silver bootlid.
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