foster461 Posted February 25, 2014 Report Share Posted February 25, 2014 Alec's ad for some 48 spoke wire wheels reminded me that I had posed this question before and got no answer. What is so bad about 48 spoke wire wheels ?. Are they so awful that we should just scrap them and be done with it or is this is case of properly maintained wheels used within their design limits being fine ? Stan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lord Flashart Posted February 25, 2014 Report Share Posted February 25, 2014 Interested in the general verdict on this. My early 4 came with 48 spoke wheels and I used to drive the **** out of it with no dire consequences. I've now fitted 72s and continue to drive it half to death!! Paul Quote Link to post Share on other sites
billg Posted February 25, 2014 Report Share Posted February 25, 2014 It's the only wire wheel I can get in my spare wheel well in my pre60k TR3A! So you need at least one. I tried 72 spoke wheels on the 3A but the added weight seemed to cause scuttle shake, no problems with 60 spokes. I've just fitted new Michelins to my steel wheels so looking forward to seeing how they fare Regards Bill G@ NB Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ianc Posted February 25, 2014 Report Share Posted February 25, 2014 The 48-spoke wires on my TR2 (owned 1963-1969) had spokes which did not cross from front to back (and vice versa for the other side) as they went from the hub to the rim. This meant that the rim was not adequately supported, flexed when cornering and so the spokes loosened and broke - frequently! The 60- and 72-spoke types cross the spokes to provide far greater support to the rim. Imagine a cross-section with the hub at the bottom and the rim at the top, and these wheels have the spokes in a X shape. In my opinion, 48-spoke wire wheels should only be used when driving to funerals. Ian Cornish Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted February 25, 2014 Report Share Posted February 25, 2014 I have a set of 48 spokers on the 4 . They have proved perfectly adequate for the last 4 years . But then again the car hasn;t left the drive in the last four years i also have a set of 60 spokers for when the day comes......... Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Steve R Posted February 25, 2014 Report Share Posted February 25, 2014 I've got 48's on mine, they are relatively new though, bought over the last 12 years, I just replaced like with like, didn't know any better, but 40-50 year old wires whether 48 or 60 may be a different matter. Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
billy l Posted February 25, 2014 Report Share Posted February 25, 2014 I have 48's fitted on mine for the last 14 years and have driven enthusiastically over that time with no problems. Cheers Bill. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Alec Pringle Posted February 25, 2014 Report Share Posted February 25, 2014 There's a lot of varying views when it comes to wire wheels - I'm not that keen on them, 48 60 or 72 spoke. Thanks a bunch, I'll take the steel option for preference, or alloy if I have to. If you believe some enthusiasts, 48 spokers are an aberration, as Ian suggests "should only be used when driving to funerals." I do have sympathy with that view. Of course, nobody mentioned that to race and rally drivers of the 1950s . . . . . Lockheed axles come into a similar category, hindsight can be wonderful and on occasion overwhelming. Flashback to the latter 70s, I'd taken two professional race drivers and a privateer to Zandvoort for tuition from Rob Slotemaker. Non-European hot shoes, the circuits were all new to them. Rob was a one time TR works pilot, subsequently proprietor of a Dutch performance driving school until his premature demise in a racing accident. All round ace bloke in my book, too. We had my TR6 and the hack 911 smoker, borrowed a couple of F2000 cars from our Dutch importers. Because of my TR interest Rob had rustled up a couple of local TR guys, Discussions led to playing on the skid pan, the TR2 owner was a little reticent, Lockheed drums and 48-spoke wires, can you blame him ? Rob just threw the 2 every which way but loose on the pan, then gave it a couple of laps of the circuit at the end of the session. You could smell burning clutch, brakes and rubber at 30 paces when he parked up. We were over for a big race a couple of weeks later, and were fortunate enough to meet Maus Gatsonides too - a pair of real characters, neither remotely fazed by interest in their early driving careers, and both extremely helpful to my young drivers. The TR2 provided a fine illustration of the need to drive with mechanical sympathy, whilst still going flat out, and for 24 hours if necessary. My drivers gained a new insight into driving round the limitations of a particular machine. Rather like Kastner's classic instruction " never be beaten by equipment ". 48-spoke wire wheels work well enough, but longevity is limited and they are a regular maintenance item. 60-spokes are a considerable improvement, and 72 spokes too big. Just my view ! Cheers Alec Quote Link to post Share on other sites
foster461 Posted February 26, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2014 Thanks everyone, really appreciate the info. I bought a set of 5 48-spoke wheels some time ago complete with splined adapters for $100. The wheels look good but need blasting and repainting. I have some shims so I can swap between the steel and wire wheels. I'll clean them up and put some tires on them so I have that option should I ever finish this project Stan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
clive Posted February 26, 2014 Report Share Posted February 26, 2014 It's an interesting point made above about the spare wheel well. My wheels used to fit in before the re-build, but then again the whole boot floor etc. was held in by fibreglass. Now I have the car back, my wheel won't fit. I'm off to count spokes as I have not for a clue, bust suspect I'll find more than 48... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
clive Posted February 26, 2014 Report Share Posted February 26, 2014 Nope - 48 Spokes... so I'll just say that I've driven the car with spirit also on 48 spoke wheels many times... and so far not had issues, though the spare is not exactly straight... Perhaps that's my issue. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
vivdownunder Posted February 27, 2014 Report Share Posted February 27, 2014 Pre TS60000 spare wheel wells were designed to fit a 48 spoke x 4" rim carrying a 5.50 x 15 crossply tyre. Along the way 155 x 15 radials became available, which also fitted into the early spare wheel well. At TS60000 the spare wheel well was widened by approx 3/8" or 10mm to accomodate a 5.90 x 15 crossply (or 165 x15 radial) on the same 48 spoke x 4" rim wheel. Later TR4 type 60 spoke wires have a wider 4.5" rim which creates is a big problem with early cars. Sometimes they will fit into the larger spare wheel well on later cars if the tyre is partly deflated. Another reason spare wheels become difficult to slide into the well is when the floor of the boot has dropped due to heavy stuff being thrown in over the years. Sometimes the boot floor can forced back up via the spare well with a length of timber or a small jack. Rather than struggle with a stuck wheel or have to deal with a partially deflated tyre, a 48 spoker with a fully inflated 155 x 15 tyre is the best spare wheel solution. A dog collar type belt around the tyre to grab when removing the wheel makes the job easier on a dark wet night. Viv Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Alec Pringle Posted February 27, 2014 Report Share Posted February 27, 2014 There are lots of rebuilt sidescreen TRs that can no longer satisfactorily accommodate a spare wheel of even original dimensions, let alone anything larger - the result of idleness and/or incompetence on the part of the rebuilder. Too many so-called classic marque specialists, whatever their marque, would be more at home in a quickfit service bay than a restoration workshop. That's life, and it hasn't changed over the years. Once the car has been completed, not much you can do except grin and bear it. Or cut the floor out. Cheers Alec Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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