Wire Wheel Problems

[mailcarrier]

I am thinking of getting the zenith wire wheels from Hobbycar.com for my 2005 and would like info from any member that has them.

Any problems with tubes being punctured after running them for lots of miles?

Any vibration/balance problems? Would you recommend them?

Dayton's are probably the most logical ones, no tubes, etc., but personally I like the looks of the zenith's. Just my opinion and not taking away from the Daytons which look great too.

Dave, if you read this please let me know of any problems you have, as the picture of your car is what helped sell me.

Thanks

[Guest]

Re: Wire Wheel Problems

I am thinking of getting the zenith wire wheels from Hobbycar.com for my 2005 and would like info from any member that has them.

Any problems with tubes being punctured after running them for lots of miles?

Any vibration/balance problems? Would you recommend them?

Dayton's are probably the most logical ones, no tubes, etc., but personally I like the looks of the zenith's. Just my opinion and not taking away from the Daytons which look great too.

Dave, if you read this please let me know of any problems you have, as the picture of your car is what helped sell me.

Thanks

Bob, I have a set of Zeniths and they are superb. I have never had any problems with the tubes, and recently, I switched my tires to the wide whites (55 series Michelin). What you need to do is drive the car for a couple of weeks, and then return to your trusted wheel/tire installer to get a final balance. This allows the wheels/tires to properly "set", so you will get a good balance. After this process is done, I have had no problems with shakes at any speeds. The quality of the Zeniths, coupled with the Michelins, are fantastic in my opinion.

This wheel/tire install should be done by a reputable installer, not just any garage IMHO.

I will soon post pictures of the wide white/Zenith combo - I am very pleased with the results !!

[steelblue5505]

Re: Wire Wheel Problems

Mark,
Please hurry with those photos.

[mailcarrier]

Re: Wire Wheel Problems

Mark:

Thanks for your reply. Actually it was the photo of your car that sold me on the wheels and not Dave, as he is the seller of them.

I went ahead, bit the bullet and bought a set. I will take your advice about having them balanced.

[TBIRD03JOE]

Re: Wire Wheel Problems

I will say this and if you have them long time that you will probably see rust before Dayton wheels with Zenith wheels between spokes.

I bought my Dayton wheels used and they were never cleaned and I had spent at least 16 hours just to get them on the car.
I even think Dayton's are easier to clean after looking at them and how Zenith's have a tighter spoke pattern ..

But what I saw was grime and brake dust deep into spoke holes of rim.
This is the weakest point of wire wheels and were the problems start.

So to all who want wire wheels beware of lots of work.

I sand down fine tooth brushes to fit in those really tight areas between spokes and use Mothers Billet Metal Polish for my motorcycles and now T Bird Wheels.

I am going to look for a wax you spray on and give this a try to help protect those areas that really are impossible to get into.
I am lucky my wheels are chrome alum and stainsless spokes..

Good luck in keeping clean and enjoy those Spoke Wheels..
They sure do make T Bird Stand out.

[Guest]

Re: Wire Wheel Problems

Mark,
Please hurry with those photos.

As requested....

Also a footnote... the zeniths are also stainless steel spokes, and I always use a "leaf blower" to dry them... no rust problems.

[TBIRD03JOE]

Re: Wire Wheel Problems

They do look nice!!!
Enjoy your wheels and keep them clean and waxed.
My point was that mine being used and probably years old
before I purchased these wheels and not cleaned properly that
I see what may be a problem with steel wheels vs aluminum
where the spokes go through rims as the weak point.

Just keep them clean and waxed and you will enjoy your
wheels for years ..
And they do add apperance to The T Bird for more photos.
Joe

[mailcarrier]

Re: Wire Wheel Problems

Joe:

Any photos of your car with the wire wheels?

[Johnny Gumballs]

Re: Wire Wheel Problems

Nice looking wheels!

[TBIRD03JOE]

Re: Wire Wheel Problems

I would also like to say these wheels appear to be off set more to outside than my stock wheels and I was even surprised how much it shows looking from rear of T bird with Dayton wheels.
I would say approx 1/4 to 3/8" and the new Higher 55 profile tires really fill the wheel wells .
It was a big change for me at first and it took a day for it to grow on me with these wheels.
I do get a lot of that really looks nice about the car.
The pictures really do not do it justice but like any change there are times we ask ourselves
was it worth it and I would say I am very pleased I had gone with them.
If I was driving every day I would not buy wire wheels..
This car gets approx 2 to 3k in miles a year and I will not mind cleaning them for that mileage but if I was driving more than that I would change wheels and tires back to stock after a few summer months with wire wheels..
You have to remember these wheels were crap when they were received and for me to even think about putting them on was a honest 16 hours work to clean them and I was still finding areas but had to say enough to get them on.
When you own wire wheels it is different then just looking at them on someone elses car.
You see a lot more crude and dirt that if not cleaned you will be sorry you own them..
I want to make a point that if you buy wheels used from someone you want very closeup pictures of in between the spokes and closeup of rim bead area..
The member I bought from here was deceiving and did not give closeup pictures and he shipped them in very poor boxes and when received they had few dings in bead area and these wheels were etched with brake dust and dirt.
The only reason is if you are the buyer and receive something like these you will be upset if they are not advertised like I was told by member Prestine and No marks..
I never thought I would see a T Bird member as deceitful and lie like the one here..
A little warning about buying and looking out for yourself and your money..Joe Good Luck

[TBIRD03JOE]

Re: Wire Wheel Problems

I just re edited in above thread to use caution about wheels and tires .
Read my previous thread for my thoughts on Wire wheels..
Joe

[Ray]

Re: Wire Wheel Problems

As much as I love the look of the wires on the new Birds, and as much as I'd love to have them, I just don't have the patience that it would take to keep them clean. I bought a new TR-6 with wire wheels when I got out of the Army in '71, and I can still remember how much work it was to keep them clean.

They look really good on your car, Joe!

[mailcarrier]

Re: Wire Wheel Problems

I don't know if it worked or not, but I tried to attach a photo of my bird with the new wires on.
Sorry for the picture, that is not my t-bird as I selected the wrong picture to post and do not know how to undo it.

[Guest]

Re: Wire Wheel Problems

Bob, the wire/whitewall combo looks sensational !!

[snowbird]

Re: Wire Wheel Problems

I don't know if it worked or not, but I tried to attach a photo of my bird with the new wires on.

I can see another red top being painted white.
MartinB.