60 spoke wire wheels

[tomnanney]

I tried to put a 60 spoke wire wheel with a deflated 165/80/15 tire in the spare tire compartment on my TR3A and couldn't get it to go in. I was trying to see if the 165 tire deflated would fit, but the 60 spoke wire wheel itself would not fit. Is the wire wheel to big for the compartment? Do I have to go to a smaller wire wheel for the spare tire.?
What I am working toward is converting from steel wheels to wire wheels.
thanks tom

 

[TR3driver]

Did you put it in with the hub down? I believe the later bodies (like yours) should be able to accommodate a 60 spoke.

 

[tomnanney]

I did put the hub down and it still wouldn't go. It hits right where the leather belt attaches.

 

[TR3driver]

OH yeah, my mistake. I was thinking of 48 vs 40. The 60 probably won't fit. Sorry.

 

[6TTR3A]

I had the same problem when I converted to wires on my
post 60K 3A. I solved it by having my spare on a 48 spoke wire.
It fits fine even inflated.
Frank

 

[glemon]

My brother has a 3a, he put a 60 spoke wheel in but couldn't get it back out, we have a picture (old fashioned print kind) of a stout rope which we managed to snake around the spare in the compartment, then tied to a tree, then let the grunt ot the TR 4 banger do the work of removing the spare, worked like a charm.

I think he fitted a 48 spoke spare after that.

 

[tomnanney]

Could you use a 165/80/15 on the 48 spoke or did you have to go to a 155?

 

[vivdownunder]

With pre TS60000 cars a wire spare wheel needs to be a 48 spoke x 4" rim with 155x15 tyre.

Post TS60000 the spare wheel well was slightly enlarged, but still only comfortably accomodates a 155 x 15 tyre.

Even with the larger spare wheel well, later TR4 60 spoke x 4.5" rim wires with 165 x 15 tyres are a struggle, and usually have to be partly deflated to fit in. If going that way, use an old trouser belt or cord around the spokes so it can be pulled out, and a can of inflater.

Check that the trunk floor hasn't sunken down, as that worsens the problem.

Racers cut the trunk floor out to allow a larger drop in spare wheel.

Viv.

 

[tomnanney]

Thanks for all the information! Does anyone have a good 48 spoke TR 3 wheel they don't need.?

 

[tomnanney]

Thanks for all the information! Does anyone have a good 48 spoke TR 3 wheel they don't need.?

 

[Geo Hahn]

You say you're "converting from steel wheels to wire wheels". If you are doing this with a spacer (i.e. not shortening the studs) then you can, of course, use a steel wheel as a spare.

That is what I do. A deflated 165x15 on a steel rim goes in the (TS47xxx) spare compartment just fine. You do have to carry an air pump, 4 big lug nuts & a socket for both the wire adaptor lugs and the 7/8" lugs.

 

[tomnanney]

Thanks! That is what I am doing. I am using a spacer, but haven't put them on yet. I had thought about carrying the steel wheel, but didn't know if that would work or not. Did you have to cut the lug nuts off at all or did everything clear okay?

 

[MGA75002]

Hello Tom. My partner had a DICKENS of a time getting a wheel that would fit into his TR3B. He posted about it "ad nauseum" on this forum. He is tr3bgeorge, but I don't know whether or not you can bring up his thread.

Regardless, here is what he had to do. After many futile attempts on eBay, and a wasted $100 or so, he got the right wheel from Moss. He has 60-spoke wheels on his car, but this wheel is a 48-spoke; he doesn't care, as it is a spare wheel.

Here is the info off the box:

Moss number 454-610
WWP450
15 x 4, 48S, painted, 48-spoke
The brand name on the box looks like MWS
He thinks he paid $150 or $160 for the wheel.

<span style="font-weight: bold">HE COULD ONLY GET A 155 SIZE TIRE TO FIT INTO HIS TIRE WELL.</span> The 165 DEFLATED would not fit.

Good luck - I hope this helps. He tried for over a year to get the right tire/wheel combination.

Phil

 

[Marvin Gruber]

Tom

I have some 48 spoke wheels. I'll PM you

Marv

 

[Geo Hahn]

...I am using a spacer, but haven't put them on yet. I had thought about carrying the steel wheel, but didn't know if that would work or not. Did you have to cut the lug nuts off at all or did everything clear okay?

On mine everything bolted up fine with the long studs and a 6mm/0.25" spacer.

The steel wheel makes a suitable spare IMO as you are going to be using it sparingly (hah) as you would if you went with a 48-spoke.

The 165/15 would only fit my early TR3A deflated and it possibly helped that I sprinkled some talc on both side before putting it in. Also looped a nylon strap thru the rim so I could pull it out.

 

[TR3driver]

Just a thought, for those who can't find a tire to fit in the early well, or don't want to carry a deflated spare; a T135/70-15 "compact spare" tire will fit on a stock TR3 rim, and leave lots of room to spare (pun intended). I keep a cheap blanket stuffed in there to keep it from sliding around (which doubles as a pad if I need to kneel or lay on the ground).

And I agree with Geo, it is probably OK to mount a steel wheel onto the shortened studs, for limited distance/speed/cornering. I actually drove that way for quite a few years, with no problems. (However, this is only an opinion, worth every cent it costs.)

 

[Andrew Mace]

And I agree with Geo, it is probably OK to mount a steel wheel onto the shortened studs, for limited distance/speed/cornering.

I agree as well. Much like the "temporary spare" that you suggest, Randall, a steel wheel on shortened studs, snugged down as well as one can (and with the proper lug nuts) should be more than enough to get you off the busy highway shoulder and home or to a tire dealer or other repair shop. I wouldn't go autocrossing or running the Alpine Rallye with that setup, though....

 

[Geo Hahn]

...a cheap blanket stuffed in there to keep it from sliding around (which doubles as a pad if I need to kneel...

Very useful when you're driving in your best clothes and have to pray it will get you home.

Actually, I use a spacer for my wire wheels (and so does Tom) so the studs are full length. Using a steel rim spare (with correct nuts) would look rather goofy but is probably safe at any speed.