Cracked Rostyle

[aeronca65t]

At the last race of our recent New Hampshire vintage event, I sensed a little extra looseness at the rear of the car.

I check these wheels quite often, so this must have happened during my last session.

 

[smaceng]

Good thing that was all that happened!
You should check these more often, as the rust indicated they had been cracked for some time. Maybe time to retire all of them?
Scott in CA

 

[BlueMax]

Perhaps its time for a new set of Retro 4’s from Hap to install on the new rubber you have sitting in the foreground!
If your not in the market to shoe up a new set of wheels at least rotate your parts more frequently.

 

[aeronca65t]

.........You should check these more often, as the rust indicated they had been cracked for some time......

No. I pried them apart at the cracks and then left them sitting outside in the rain for over two weeks after the event (the weather here has been amazing). The cracks were shiny and new when I discovered them.
I would love to buy some nice wheels but I either stay within my budget. Or I stay home.
To be honest, the wheels are only one of the areas on these old cars that requires constant watching. Last week, I went over the tub and re-welded numerous, small cracks in the chassis. Metal fatigue is inevitable with a 40 year old race car.

If I really had my druthers, I'd buy a new heritage shell and fully seam weld it before painting.

<span style="text-decoration: underline">And</span> buy nice wheels.

 

[jlaird]

You sir are a lucky guy.

 

[regularman]

Nial, what kind of tires are you running?

 

[aeronca65t]

I'm running the ~Toyo R888~

I don't have a lot of choices for threaded, DOT race rubber these days. This is about the only one available in 185-60/13.

I could also run Hoosier TDs (non-radials). Same size and a little cheaper, but I'm told they don't last as long.