MTFCA Forum

I know that it is not the optimal fix, but I want to add a few shims to some of my loose wooden spokes. Some say I can make shims from store-bought washers. Does anybody know where to get the correct washers to start with? I looked on Grainger & MSC. Thanks, J.R.

I got some 1/32" thick 304 stainless washers on Ebay, they had the correct ID and OD already. I just had to cut a notch on one side with tin snips so that I could slip the shim between the end of the spoke and the felloe.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Stainless-Stee ... SwZVhWSiCQ

You'll need to find or make a spoke jack to spread the felloe away from the end of the spoke so that you can insert the shim, of course.

Thanks. I ordered some of those. I have a spoke jack. J.R.

On the old pre 2019 forum, among the old timers and respected experts, the consensus was that the only way to repair loose spokes was to make yourself a spoke press and re-spoke the wheel. The wheel supports the weight of the car and loose spokes are amazingly dangerous, especially the lateral forces that occur when cornering. What you want to do can cost you your life and your T when the wheel collapses. If the experts of old still frequented this forum like they did before the 2019 format changeover, you would be hearing all kinds of alarm bells. I hope you will reconsider. Jim Patrick