NeilF Posted October 26, 2017 Report Share Posted October 26, 2017 I made the decision to go to the International GT6 meeting in Frankfurt some time ago, and thought that a visit to the Nurburgring on the way would be a pleasant diversion. Because of this I decided to have a couple of new tyres on the front. Having got the new tyres, I learned that the Ring on my chosen date was closed, so the route was changed. However, the new tyres were giving me vibration problems once over 60 mph. So I returned the wheels, 145/80 R13, for re-balancing. Still a problem, so for the 3rd time I stayed with the tyres and watched the process. It became apparent that the wheel was not being centred correctly as the garage did not have the correct cones. This a day before the German trip, so the trip was made, all 1,200 miles at a steady 63 mph keeping vibration to the minimum. So requests at local garages to me, between Southampton and Portsmouth proved the same problem, no suitable cones. So the WWW process began. Wheels can be balanced on the car at Bicester at a cost of £60 per wheel, too expensive. I then came across the Goplus Portable Wheel Balancer with a accurate bulls eye level. Expenditure of £46 and the unit duly arrived, and looked the part. A centre unit on balance springs on which you place the wheel which settles on a cone. Weights are then placed on the wheel until the bulls eye level is centred. Move the wheel around so that you can check the balance. Great - No. The GT6 wheel is not heavy enough to allow the springs to allow the wheel to settle on the cone. I am now trying to return the Goplus unit. The next alternative on the web appears to be the purchase of cones for wire wheels so that you can get a garage to use the correct cones on their balancing machines. Before I make the purchase has anyone tried these cones at a price of about £85? Do they work? I guess they must. The car would not be the same without the wires, so no way am I going over to steels. Surely this must be a problem for many people, so how have they got on. Appreciate any comments, NeilF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted October 27, 2017 Report Share Posted October 27, 2017 I have a bulls eye type balancer, and the wheel always needs a shove down onto the cone to centralise it, no wheel has ever been heavy enough to do it itself. IIRC some fords with 4WD have to be balanced on the car, so dealers may still have the equipment? Or https://www.vintagetyres.com/en/contact-us/ may be able to help? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haggis Posted October 27, 2017 Report Share Posted October 27, 2017 I would try Micheldever tyres, just on the A303 north of Winchester, they have a fantastic set up and get the alignment done at the same time, they just did my mk1 and the difference is amazing, but give them a ring first. Hag. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AidanT Posted October 27, 2017 Report Share Posted October 27, 2017 Neil where are you located? Someone might be able to suggest someone local to you Aidan Appologies I should have read the thread more closely Sorry my suggestion would be too far away Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Cooper Posted October 27, 2017 Report Share Posted October 27, 2017 Neil, it may be too far along the coast for you but I use The Eastbourne Tyre Company who have been doing an excellent job looking after my wire wheels for more than 30 years. They are a great mix of traditional know-how with modern facilities. I know many on here would advise getting rid of the wires but , like you, I feel anything else just looks wrong on a sports car. Adrian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted October 27, 2017 Report Share Posted October 27, 2017 You also need the wheels checked for runnout often found with wires , balance wont cure vibration from the lack of concentricty Between the rim and the nave centres, so a wire wheel specialist is better than just a tyre balancer And whilst they might look the part they distort frighteningly on corners, fitting alloy or steels may not appeal but the handling is transformed into a totally different car. Then most wires are not tubeless with more troubles on tube compatability and finding a ditch with a blow out Look nice is all you get , safety and stability is much lesser Love em or hate em , its all down to preference Brown and gammons in baldock do wire resets and balancing for ....mg's Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Bonnett Posted October 27, 2017 Report Share Posted October 27, 2017 Neil, have you thought of getting your local Morgan dealer to balance them up for you? They do wire wheels all the time on their cars and should have no problem with yours. regards John. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thescrapman Posted October 27, 2017 Report Share Posted October 27, 2017 10 hours ago, Pete Lewis said: Brown and gammons in baldock do wire resets and balancing for ....mg's Pete Sensible people fit MG wires to their Triumohs as they have larger splined sections Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeilF Posted October 27, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 27, 2017 Thanks all for your replies. Haggis, I will call Micheldever Tyres, although they are Protyre, and that was the local garage that the problem arose. Adrian, Eastbourne is probably a little too far. Pete, Baldock again too far. I know you do not like wires, but they are good enough for Aston Martin Jaguar, Morgan and Ferrari. John, nearest Morgan dealer is Reading, that may be a way out. I will keep you posted, NeilF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted October 27, 2017 Report Share Posted October 27, 2017 Aston jag morgan and Ferrari are only good enough as often supported by deeper pocket sydrome Many triumph owners are from lesser budgets , bet none of the others will admit to vibrations And we have 3 local Triumph members who also have Aston Jags and Ferrari Then read this ....monthly checks ??? http://www.mossmotoring.com/tech-tip-about-wire-wheels/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeilF Posted October 28, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2017 Pete, A long time ago I was fortunate to drive a DB5 on a very regular basis, and I am sure that up to 120mph there was no vibration. But then I was not paying for wheels and tyres. Anyway, read the Moss report, and now going to check the wheels with a pencil!!!! I'll get there one day. NeilF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted October 28, 2017 Report Share Posted October 28, 2017 hey if you like them its really ok , just because i have reservations, its all down to preferences at least the old steel or modern alloys are...................... easier to clean , ha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Bonnett Posted October 29, 2017 Report Share Posted October 29, 2017 Well, my suggestion Neil is next time you come down our way we take your car into Berrybrook Morgan in Exeter and they do the job while you wait. I found them very obliging when they balanced up my my wire wheels (before I changed to alloys) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haggis Posted October 29, 2017 Report Share Posted October 29, 2017 Hi Neil, just remembered there is also a place in the new forest called Tudor wheels seem to specialise in refurbing wire wheels, maybe they can sort them out for you, I was intending to get them to refurb my steels when I get a chance, so have no prior with them, but they are local. hag ps if you do use them, let me know how you get on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeilF Posted March 19, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 19, 2018 I finally decided time was ripe to sort the wheels out, but first decided to get the new front valance sprayed the correct colour by my local sprayer. He did the bonnet recently. At the garage I noticed that in the next door bay were many new tyres, and I was introduced to the guy who was running it. I explained about the vibration, and a couple of days later he called to say he was ready to give the balance a try. Set the machine up with fine adjustment and 2 wheels and £12 later all was well. Managed 90 down the motorway, and that surprised a few. Thank you Segensworth Motors. The nearest garage to where I live. NeilF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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