THE WIRE WHEEL

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 32, 9 February 1929, Page 24

THE WIRE WHEEL

The.wire wheel is regarded as being the strongest and safest type in existence, but it possesses these merits only when it is in perfect condition. The main trouble with this typo of wheel (says a "Sydney Mail" writer) is that the spokes gradually become loose. To remedy the defect will require not a little car© and trouble, but if tho motorist approaches Ms task bearing these facts in mind there is no roason why he should not complete it with all success. As each spoke is provided at its end with a small nut. ontho face of things, it is a simple matter to tighten;loose spokes; but two troubles may be met with —first, >tho nut may be rusted so solidly-that it is impossible to move- it with the: very small spanner, which must be employed; while, secondly, the inexperienced owner is lio.ble to over-tighten a spoke and so loosen a number of'adjacent ones, at the same time throwing the rim ■ out of truth. Therefore the work must bo tackled with the very greatest care, and each loose spoke tightened until the strain is just taken up; do not give an oxtra twist to tho nut "for luck." A plan followed by most wire-wheeled repair men to determine whother a spoko is at its proper tonsion is to "ring" it by

giving it a tap with the spanner. The tone given forth in comparison with tho tone of tho other tight spokes will show whether tho tension is correct.

. With the steel artillery and tho steel disc wheels it is practically impossible for any part to loosen in service, as these typos to all intents and purposes arc in one piece. Owing to the eon-

struction ot some or them at tho hub, however, tho very greatest care must bo exorcised to keep the five or six nuts which hold them in place on their studs lightened evenly, in order to avoid wobbling, on the axles. ■ . .