Dunlop Wire Wheels

[pan]

I recently decided to replace the 48 spoke wheels on my 1954 100, so I had a look at several comments on the Forum. All entries sang the praises of the Dayton product.
Several years ago I had bought a new wheel from the local MG parts supplier "Abingdon Motors". This was a 48 spoke Dunlop wheel with silver paint finish to suit MGA which uses the same wheel as the my Healey.
That wheel was made in India. It has performed faultlessly, always easy to balance and never a broken spoke. I felt that from my own experience there is nothing wrong with the Dunlop product. Some of the comments on the forum suggest that wheels can be sourced in Taiwan, and that any wheel other that Dayton should be checked by a wheel expert for running true. Before I committed I asked the supplier "Classic Wire Wheels Australia" to give me some information about their wheels. I was advised that they sell the English MWS wheel which are indeed made in their factory in India, not Taiwan.
So I went ahead and ordered four 60 spoke wheels with chrome finish. (Narrow brake drums on my 4 stud rear axle).
I watched when the tyres were mounted and balanced to check that they were running true, which they did.
I have only done a couple of trips on the new wheels but am happy to report they are fantastic!! The car rides more smoothly (verified by my wife) and feels more secure on the road. This could be due to the 165 section tyres sitting better on the slightly wider rim.
I can only recommend the Dunlop wheel. In Australia they are priced well under the Dayton wheel, but the quality seems the same.
And don't chrome wheels enhance the look of a Healey?!

 

[Geo Hahn]

I've had the Dunlop wires for 7+ years w/o any problem. Perhaps some of the negative feelings are a result of the major Triumph parts supplier who bad-mouths Dunlops in their catalogs (they sell Daytons).

Building good wire wheels isn't nuclear science.

Come to think of it... India has figured out nuclear science too.

 

[Keoke]

I think you had better check with your wheel supplier again. MWS is a distributor of Dunlop wheels not the manufacturer. They also distribute Boranni wheels in addition to their in house manufactured wheel.---Keoke

 

[pan]

Hi Keoke,
MWS is now the manufacturer of Dunlop Wire Wheels. Their factory is situated in India. I believe that Dunlop sold off this part of their business to Motor Wheel Services several years ago.
I thought about Boranni wheels.......for about a milisecond! Boy, they are expensive!

 

[DerekJ]

Just to clarify as its late at night. You have installed 60 spoke Dunlops on your 100.

I thought that the Dunlop 60 spoke pattern did not fit the 100 or the 100-Six at the front because of the drums brakes. 60 spoke Daytons are a different pattern and they do fit the 100s and 100-Sixs, as do 72 spoke Dunlops whcih have a different lace pattern to the 60s.

cheers

 

[longbridgehealey]

Yep,60 spoke Dunlops rubbed up front on my 100-6, but the 60 spoke Daytons that I got from Hendrix work fine.

 

[Ed_K]

Dunlop vs Dayton revisited;

My dad purchased a set of Dunlop wire wheels while on a business trip to the UK in the 1970s. In 2005 I had Hendrix wire wheel true them, install new tires and tubes and I have put around 5000 miles on them since they were " new ". I have only been caught in one rainstorm since then. Today I was washing my car to get ready for a Healey club drive and picnic when I noticed all of the broken spokes !! They broke right where the spoke goes through the rim or the hub. The broken ends are all rusty colored. I will be talking to Hendrix soon to find out if it is worth replacing all of the spokes in 4 wheels with stainless steel or just buying a new set of four Daytons. Those are the facts. You all can decide what you think of Dunlop wire wheels. I now have my own opinion about them !
Ed

 

[pan]

Hi Derek, good to hear from Malta!
My 100 is a 1954 BN1 model with 1.75 inch wide brake shoes front and rear. The later 100 with hypoid axle and 5 stud hubs has 2.25 inch wide brake shoes and consequently wider brake drums on the rear only. The 100 BN2 and 100-6 have 2.25 inch wide brake shoes front & rear and wider brake drums. These wider drums do indeed prevent fitment of 60 spoke wheels. I understand that 72 spoke wheels will fit those later cars, though I can't see how.
I was aware of the possibility that the spokes may foul on the drum so before I mounted the tyres, I fitted one of the new wheels to the rear to check. There is about 5mm clearance between spoke and drum.

 

[healeynut]

Ed -

The dunlops sold in the UK in the 70s and 80s (and still, I think) were made in India. I have a set on my BJ8 (72 spoke chrome) and I had to have them completely broken down and relaced and trued at BWW 15 years ago.

Since bought Daytons off the shelf from hendrix for the BN1... perfect.

Daytons all the way. USA!!

 

[Ed_K]

Alan,
Daytons it will be unless Hendrix says they can install all new stainless steel spokes for less than new Daytons cost.
I guess you should never purchase ammunition or wire wheels made in any country where you wouldn't dare drink the water.
Ed
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[healeynut]

Ed -

if you get the new dayton 60 or 72 spoke rims, you can run them without tubes... much better for handling and maintenance and might just be worth it to buy new...