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Straightening wire wheels?

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Ken_McGuire

Freshman Member
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Hey guys,

Last October I bought a 1961 TR3A with wire knock-offs. My front left is not straight, and I've heard it can be straightened.

Where can I get this done? How much should I expect to pay?

Thank you!
Ken
 
I only have experience with Hendrix Wire Wheel in <span style="text-decoration: line-through">Charlotte</span> Greensboro, NC. They straightened one of my GT6 wire wheels when I last bought tires. I'm not sure what they charged for it as I wrote one check to cover the cost of the tires, tubes, truing, etc. They were good people to work with.

EDIT: Corrected Hendrix' location.
 
Thanks, Doug. I live in Cincinnati and see Dayton Wire Wheels is just up the road from me. I'll try to give them a call tomorrow. Do most large towns have wire wheel shops? Or is this a pretty specialized thing?

Ken
 
I think that Hendrix Wire Wheel is in Greensboro, not
Charlotte.
 
Oops... you are correct. Greensboro it is for Hendrix.
 
Ken_McGuire said:
...Do most large towns have wire wheel shops?...
Click to expand...

Sure, if they are Karachi, Delhi or Calcutta... i.e. not a common thing in 21st century U.S.

Consider the overall condition of the wheel in addition to straightness (condition of splines, presence of rust, etc) and compare the price you are quoted to the price of a replacement wheel. If you can catch a sale you may find 'new' makes sense.
 
Might be more common than you think, as true wire wheels are still a popular modification among certain crowds. I've not checked in other cities, but there are several shops in the Los Angeles area (although the one I dealt with specializes in antique wire wheels).
 
TR3driver said:
Might be more common than you think, as true wire wheels are still a popular modification among certain crowds. I've not checked in other cities, but there are several shops in the Los Angeles area (although the one I dealt with specializes in antique wire wheels).
Click to expand...

Living in California has probably spoiled you when it comes to automotive services. There's not much one cannot find there but don't try and find a wire wheel service here in the northeast, ask me how I know. The only repair service I could find was in Sunny California !
 
When I left CA in 1987 for Minnesota, you could buy pistons and jugs for your air-cooled Volks at the corner 7-Eleven. I only found one decent independent VW parts supplier in the entire Twin Cities Metro when I got here.

Yeah -- It's different in CA, and even MORE so in So Cal.
 
TR3driver said:
Might be more common than you think, as true wire wheels are still a popular modification among certain crowds.
Click to expand...

And it looks to be a growing trend among the upper crust of custom car/hot rod builders like Chip Foose, Troy Tepanier (and he is in Illinois), Hollywood Hot Rods, So-Cal Speed Shop etc...
 
a little off subject but Wire Wheels on Special? I ordered a 15 inch chrome Wire wheel, 72 spokes since my spare was a painted WW and only 14 inch, that was about 1 month ago and it still have not arrived at TRF
 
The one main thing about center knock off wire wheels is, make sure they mount them on their machine with the proper mounting equipment for those type of wheels. The tapered type of wheel mounting hardware used by most shops can damage the inter hub and outer taper. Hendrix uses a special hub just for wire wheels. If any way possible, use a shop that mounts their wheels on a hub designed for it. I had my new wires trued and "tuned" by Alan Hendrix and I will take my wires only to him for re-adjustments. They do excellent work! JMHO. PJ
 
Paul - Where is Alan Hendrix located? I see you have Oklahoma listed as a location. My parents still live in Ponca City (where I grew up). If he is near Oklahoma, it will be easy for me to get the wheel to him.

I'll also call Mark Macy on Monday to see if he has a reco. Thanks for all the help.

BTW - my main concern in buying just a single replacement wheel is the paint match to the other 3. Not sure if I'm just being anal, but I don't want one looking different.

Ken
 
I used Dayton back in 1982 to rebuild 2 of the 5 for my TR4A. Back then they charged $85 each to rebuild them.

Scott
 
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