Vin# 1136 HAS perfectly balanced factory wheels,with no trace of shimmy or
weird tire wear,but then 1136 was USED as everyday transportation(from new)
until I got her in 1992,I have gone 100mph+ and not had any vibrations or
shimmy,Driving vin# 1136 is more like driving a domestic car,from the inside
it feels/handles,as dependably,as a Chevy Caprice,steering wheel (at
speed)is rock steady,with almost zero play, likewise Vin1024 with
NON-FACTORY wheels,(True-Spokes REAL wire Wheels) is not driven that
often,and has a problem until the flat spots on the tires,from sitting
stored in my garage, the front end vibrates until the tires
are"rounded"again.
Claude
1024/1136
----- Original Message -----
From: <Isensee@aol.com>
To: <Bricklin@autox.team.net>
Sent: Tuesday, August 21, 2001 4:10 PM
Subject: Wheels
> I have been researching wheels for the Bricklin and thought y'all might be
interested in the results.
>
> The OEM wheels on Bricklins are sand cast aluminum. Bricklin seems to have
chosen a wheel manufacturer based more on price than quality. A significant
proportion of Bricklin wheels are out of round. That makes them difficult to
balance and leads to vibration at highway speeds and tire wear problems.
>
> Some companies can true the OEM wheels. I have heard varying reports of
success on this and the cost approaches that or a new wheel.
>
> New wheels are available, but none very close to the OEM wheels in
appearance. Few dealers have Bricklins listed in their catalog so you will
need the wheel dimensions. They are 15"x7" wheel with 4.5" offset and 5x4.5"
lug spacing.
>
> There is little clearance when front wheels are turned all the way in
either direction so you should stick with the same size wheels and tires as
original or the tires may rub.
>
> You should stick with all aluminum wheels since the Bricklin suspension
was designed for this. Steel wheels are much heavier and will degrade
handling.
>
> The 4.5" offset is relatively rare so not many wheels are available in
this size. The best selection is from Centerline Wheels. They are machined
from an aluminum billet and are supposed to be well balanced and high
quality. They have quite a few different designs available.
>
> I have ordered a set and will let you know how they work out. The best
price I found was mail ordering them from Summit Racing. They were $147.50
each with free shipping and no sales tax.
>
> That's what I know so far. If anyone has anything to add to this, please
let us all know.
>
> Scott Isensee
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