Bent wire spokes
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Topic author - Posts: 42
- Joined: Wed Feb 06, 2019 11:52 am
- First Name: Reuben
- Last Name: Kugel
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915 Touring 1926 RAJO Speedster
- Location: Pewaukee WI
- MTFCA Number: 49871
- MTFCI Number: 24323
Bent wire spokes
What is the best way to straighten wire spokes? I would like to try to do myself without a big investment into having someone else do. Thanks
1915 Touring
1926 RAJO Speedster
1926 RAJO Speedster
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- Posts: 72
- Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 9:45 pm
- First Name: Ted
- Last Name: Dumas
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1927 Coupe, 1924 Touring
- Location: Dallas, TX
- MTFCI Number: 20999
Re: Bent wire spokes
Simple, use a hammer and slide hammer, any other tools you find handy. They are not delicate.
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- First Name: Thomas
- Last Name: Hicks
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: '24 TT, '26 TT, '24 Speedster, '26 Speedster
- Location: Chesterfield, VA
- MTFCA Number: 32518
Re: Bent wire spokes
A rubber mallet works well on long radius bends. Sharp bends or kinks are another matter.
Technology, the solution to all of our problems... and the cause of most of them.
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- First Name: Norman
- Last Name: Kling
- Location: Alpine California
Re: Bent wire spokes
The above suggestions to use a hammer and slide hammer would work to straighten the spokes. There is an important thing to keep in line: the spokes keep the rim in alignment with the hub so you need to put the wheel on the axle. (the front works easier for spinning the wheel) . Use a reference mark under the wheel and turn it. As you notice the rim move from side to side as you rotate the wheel, you will need to straighten spokes on one side and bend them slightly on the opposite side to pull the wheel into alignment.. So if the rim is off to the outside of the wheel, slightly bend the spokes on that side adjacent to the area of the misalignment and if you find any bent ones on the inside opposite that area straighten them. Reverse if the rim is off toward the inside.
The end result is to get the spokes as straight as you can and still have the wheel run true.
It is easier for me to show you how to do this than it is to explain it. Hope the reader understands this.
Norm
The end result is to get the spokes as straight as you can and still have the wheel run true.
It is easier for me to show you how to do this than it is to explain it. Hope the reader understands this.
Norm
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- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:15 am
- First Name: Andrew
- Last Name: Clary
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1914 Runabout 1926 Coupe. Mercury Speedster #1249
- Location: Usa
- MTFCA Number: 24057
Re: Bent wire spokes
There was a good article in the Vintage Ford a couple years ago about straightening these wheels.
Andy
Andy
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- First Name: Dan
- Last Name: Treace
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: '23 cutoff, '25 touring, '27 touring
- Location: North Central FL
- MTFCA Number: 4838
- MTFCI Number: 115
- Board Member Since: 2000
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Re: Bent wire spokes
Have a set of these from Bill Stipe. Works so great on Model T wire spokes. Just tighten with wrench and the spoke is straight in a jiffy! High quality like his cams.
The best way is always the simplest. The attics of the world are cluttered up with complicated failures. Henry Ford
Don’t find fault, find a remedy; anybody can complain. Henry Ford
Don’t find fault, find a remedy; anybody can complain. Henry Ford
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- First Name: Kep
- Last Name: Kerensky
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 23 truck, 26 bug
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Re: Bent wire spokes
Is it true that you should shrink the spokes with heat or the wheel will not have correct tension and wobble when hitting a pot hole?
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- First Name: John
- Last Name: Warren
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 14 Roadster, 25 Pickup , 26 Canadian Touring , and a 24-28 TA race car
- Location: Henderson, Nevada
Re: Bent wire spokes
The slide hammer with the hook attachment works the best. After straightening the spokes, check alignment and then do what Norm has said. If the wheels need to be refinished, you can use heat to shrink the spokes needing tightened. The best way to learn how to straighten a wheel is to practice on a bicycle wheel using a spoke wrench to true it. When you understand what needs tightening, heat that spoke up and then red in one spot, then use a wet rag to cool it. That spoke will tighten. It works well. Good luck!
24-28 TA race car, 26 Canadian touring, 25 Roadster pickup, 14 Roadster, and 11AB Maxwell runabout
Keep it simple and keep a good junk pile if you want to invent something
Keep it simple and keep a good junk pile if you want to invent something