Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing Adjusting spokes!

Spokes do need tightening sometimes and I have done just that with leaky consequences. I attempted to remove a tyre from the wheel but found it impossible without the correct tools.
I took the expensive option of using MWS to balance all four wheels and was a little annoyed to be charged over £400 having been quoted much less and to learn that they found only two of the wheels actually required balancing and sealing. However I was very pleased with the newly balanced wheels which transformed the steering. Previously driving was more like guiding a jelly pudding down a zip wire. Subsequently more like an express train on rails - just as it should be.

That is the problem with running wire wheels and tubeless tyres.

When wires were the only option, tubes were essential, and almost every car was fitted with them.

Then along came steel disc wheels , and finally alloys , with of which are of course more suitable for tubeless tyres.

I accept that running a tube in a wheel designed for tubeless does have other issues (pinch punctures to name but one) but has anyone experimented with this.

When I raced in 60s/70s and 80s I used 6 inch "Cobra" wire wheels with a 165 x 15 inner tube and didn't have any problems (well with tyres anyway!) even when on the limit with the tyre highly distorted by the cornering forces generated.

I've read Andy that tubeless tyres are rough on the inside and could over time chafe an inner tube. This with seating issues aside.

Visited local tyre shop today who where unable to help re-sealing rims although they did remove tyres. Although they checked for leak in advance and marked spoke on each wheel accordingly, it was immediately obvious inside rim where the seal had been breached.

Then spent some time chasing around on phone trying to find local assistance before phoning MWS. Very helpful advice explaining that if the seal break is minor and localised they just dug out damaged area and re-filled with sealant, but with a two week turn around even if I delivered rims to them!



Above is one rim (other similar) where I have dug out damaged area whilst I await the recommended MWS silicone sealant. This after suggesting I do the work myself, bolstered by their mention other customers had done such successfully.

Hopefully this will be an inexpensive solution to the results of my meddling once I've waited 48 hours for sealant to cure.

Did MWS recommend a specific type or brand of sealant, Richard? If not, I think I'd look at something like Sikaflex, they offer a range of formulations.

All I know is 100% silicone is recommended Tim. I'm sure I could get away with many of the readily available silicon based sealants but thought I'd buck the odds by using the tried and tested stuff from the experts. Will advise what it is.

A tube of Dowsil 1080 arrived from MWS today Tim and already applied. This Dow Corning product is an oxime rtv silicon sealant with great tolerance of heat, vibration and moisture. In this case it was the black variant to perfectly match original. It cures at room temperature on contact with moisture in the air, 48 hours according to MWS.

That's a good tip Richard. I've made a note.

Richard,
did you just cover the broken bit or did you strip it right back & start again?

Dug out on each rim around the leaking spoke as per photo John. Thoroughly cleaned with brake cleaner then applied a little sealant stippling in with stiff brush around each spoke nut before adding more and smoothing flush with existing. Told not to leave the repair proud to avoid damage from tyre fitting tools. Should know by Thursday if Iv'e got it right