MTFCA Forum

I just finished putting the first spokes in the wheel of my 24 runabout. Every thing went ok but when I put the wheel on the axle and checking the runout it was 1/4 inch from widest to the narrowest. I read that the runout should be 1/8 inch.
My question is with the the 1/4 inch runout the average would be 1/8 . Is this 1/4 inch be ok and if not how could I correct this
Would appreciate anyone’s help.

If it were mine, I would try to get the wheel running as true as possible. We are talking about just the wheel without the tire and rim. I would think the tightening sequence would play a big part. First Mark the wheel and hub at the high point so you can see what the changes are. I would try loosening the nuts and push/pull the wheel straight then gradually tighten the nuts in a cross pattern to see if it improves. If it's a rear, check to be sure the axle isn't slightly bent. Also check the runout of the hub flange if it is still running out the same amount where you originally marked it. Bill

I build new wire wheels and I can get them trued up very close but not down to the thousandths. What folks may or may not know is that tires for these old cars have a lot of run out sometimes way over a 1/4” or more.

All rims have variations in width (parallelism) and roundness so will never be truly “straight“. I shoot for straight and round within 1/16” when truing new wire wheels, but when using old rims am willing to accept up to 3/32”-1/8” depending upon how straight and round the rim is to start. These numbers are total measurements, not plus/minus.

With a wood wheel you can manipulate roundness by varying spoke lengths. Wobble could be a bit more of a challenge to overcome. Either way, shoot for better than 1/8” total runout and wobble. To second Mike, some of the tires can make a really nice wheel look bad. Also consider your demountable rims, they probably are not round either...

Just thinking outside of the box here. Are your axles turning true?

You can't get wheels too straight. The straighter and more concentric, the better. Try "match mounting" demountable rims to wheels and and tires to rims to minimize runout and eccentricity. Balance is another issue, which may or may not relate to runout, etc.

Reading the OP again, he states “from the widest to the narrowest”... assuming this means side to side wobble, not eccentricity, is it possible that the hub flange is bent or distorted...?

Assuming that the length of the spokes is equal and the wheel is concentric. The side wobble can be helped by marking the area that leans toward the center of the car. Then carefully sand just a small amount in that area on the side of the spokes which face the hub. Try again and when it is very close, tighten up in a cross direction and peen the bolts. For rims which might be out a bit, sometimes you can correct them by placing a washer under the lug to get it to tighten less at that point. Some wobble is unavoidable.
Norm