Straightening Steel Rims

[mgedit]

I'd like to use original steel rims on my 56 TR3 restoration. I have a number of rims, but most are not exactly straight. Anyone have experience (good or bad) with having rims straightened? Are they as strong or are they weakened significantly by the straightening process. There is a local shop that has the equipment to do the work. Any advice/suggestions? Cheers, Mike

 

[Brinkerhoff]

Mike , I have a lot of steel TR3 rims. I'm sure I could spin four or five and check them if you were interested. contact me off list if you are interested. Kevin

 

[NutmegCT]

I'd like to use original steel rims on my 56 TR3 restoration. I have a number of rims, but most are not exactly straight. Anyone have experience (good or bad) with having rims straightened? Are they as strong or are they weakened significantly by the straightening process. There is a local shop that has the equipment to do the work. Any advice/suggestions? Cheers, Mike

My experience: if you want to drive the car, don't try to straighten bent wheels and drive on them. If it's just the lip of the rim (where weights are mounted), maybe ... but if the center of the wheel is bent, straightening it will weaken the steel. Others here have said the same thing.

I took three original steels (TR3) up to Boston for professional straightening, as each was bent out of true and wobbled when driven.

No improvement whatsoever - but they did look better. Bought four new steel wheels, put the same tires on them - wobble completely disappeared.

Just my two cents.
Tom

 

[TR3driver]

Even "as strong" may not be strong enough. They are known for cracking in the center. ISTR one of the "Comp Prep" books even suggests welding an extra piece in to help reinforce them.

 

[angelfj1]

Bought four new steel wheels, put the same tires on them - wobble completely disappeared.

Tom: I was under the impression that these wheels have not been available for many years/decades!

Do you mean you bought NOS wheels or is someone making these again?

 

[NutmegCT]

Sorry. I should have said four new "Minilite-style" wheels from Moss Motors.

Tom

 

[Tosh]

Sent an out of round steel TR6 wheel to Wheel Collision Center some time back.
They returned it with a note stating that they were unable to straighten the wheel.
Bought a set of new Kønigs and never looked back.
Keep on.

 

[angelfj1]

AH! They look sweet!

 

[mgedit]

Thanks for the replies. The shop I talked to discarded the majority of the wheels I brought to him as the hub part was damaged or out of round. He told me those could not be restored. We were able to find 6 or so that he can work with. He is going to take the best 5 and straighten them. The shop has been in business since the 40s and has the machine they use to do the work (as well as an operator) dates back to the 50s. I had a good feeling about the shop and the proprietor during my visit and and going to see how this works out. If it is a success, I'll be happy. If not, experience gained. Other TR3 owners have told me of their success with having rims repaired and they have driven many happy miles on the rims. Guess only time (and finishing the restoration) will tell. Cheers, Mike

 

[mgedit]

Forgot to add, that those wheels look very nice Tom. Are those the 5.5 inch wheels? If so, what tire size are you using and did you have any fitting issues? Cheers, Mike

 

[NutmegCT]

Hi Mike. Yep, those are the 5.5 wheels; I think they were on special for $169 each at Moss a couple years ago when I bought them. I got Kumho 758 tires (165/80-15), about $45 each. Really like them.

Tom

 

[tr3guy]

Hi, Kevin
Can you tell me the correct width of a steel wheel for a TR3a?
Thanks, Jim

 

[Don Elliott]

Mike - How did the straightening go ? How much per wheel ? I saw recently that someone had 4 rims for sale for $500.00 total and he didn't say if they were straight or bent.

 

[mgedit]

Sorry missed your post Don. I've given up on trying to straighten the rims I have. Only 2 of the 15 could be salvaged. I will use one for the spare and have bought alloy minilite-style wheels instead. Price to straighten is quoted as $35 per wheel, but he charged me less as we could not find 4 that could be used. It is just not worth $500 to experiment with steel wheels from another source. My experience suggests the likelihood of having usable wheels is pretty low. Cheers, Mike