[TR] Wobbly wheels

[Brian Jones]

I do not think 1/3" and 1/4 inch one way or the other would cause the  
wobble and judder you describe, though its certainly worth pursuing  
remedy for such play.

Check wheel balance. I bought the portable balance from HF ($69  
IIRC). Its surprisingly sensitive, allows you to rest a weight on the  
rim to achieve balance before you fit it. I could only find weights  
online, though they were cheap enough.

Check the run-out on your a) rims, and b) tires - i.e. eccentricity  
while in rotation. I used a run-out dial, but any pointer held firmly  
will suffice.

There is a reason why the Kumhos are $129 for a set of four at Tire  
Rack, and mine have noticeable run-out. There was some run-out at the  
rim of these 44 year-old wheels, but more at the tire, and that was  
with the tires correctly seated in the rim. Check your tires are  
correctly seated - look for the mounting line close to the rim edge -  
it should be a consistent distance from the rim all the way around.

Find your best pair of wheels, and put them on the front.

If all your wheels are bad, find a friend with Panasports and borrow  
them for a mile or two to see if they change anything.

I put my best two steel wheels, newly balanced, on the front. It  
cured most of the problem, and I'm only really bothered by it when  
the wheel eccentricity is co-ordinated. It soon passes in a mile or  
two, as they work their way out of co-ordination.

When I have my next windfall, I'll pick up some new wires and better  
tires.

Good luck

Brian
1963 TR4