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MG MGA - loose spoke

I have just been cleaning the wire wheels (a good reason not to have them) and I have noticed one is loose. Is it just a matter of tightening it up, and if so, do you screw it inwards or out?
Nigel Munford

The spoke doesn't turn, the nipple on the wheel end does and it should screw onto the spoke to tighten it.
The spoke is tensioned between the hub and the head of the nipple inside the rim so shortening the overall length will tighten. Try tapping each spoke with a small spanner and listen to the sound. When they're under tension they should "ring" slightly not have dull tone. Then tighten any loose ones a little at a time until you get a nice even tone from them all and you should be ok.
Bill Young

I have removed the wheel, and have discovered that the head of the spoke is broken, and can not be tightened. I have 60 spokes (59 now!) Is it OK to drive like this? Also, is it easy to replace a spoke, or do you have to take the tyre off?
Nigel Munford

Nigel, yes you have to take the tyre off. You may have to remove one or two other spokes just to get the new one in, depending on how they are interlaced. One spoke is unlikely to affect the trim, just do it up "tight". Check the new spoke does not poke through above the nipple head- if it does, file it flush.
Art Pearse

Nigel, while I am no expert I would fix the spoke as soon as possible. Even though you have 59 others you also now have a weakness that "could" lead to others being stressed upon hard use and then they may also break. This may seem overly cautious but I have seen wire wheels were one broken spoke lead to another and another etc. I have never let any one of my friends or club members continue to use a wire wheel with bent or broken spokes I would rather provide them with a good wire wheel. Hard cornering with a weakened wheel could lead to very unpleasant circumstances.

Brian
Brian Smith

Nigel, I see your point about not taking off the tyre. If the spoke has broken with enough showing that you can remove it from the nipple, then maybe you can. You would have to deflate the tyre to be able to push the nipple back to engage the new spoke, but not so far as to lose it inside the tyre. You would have to try it and see. Bottom line is, tyre off. Not so hard to do really with tyre irons.
Art Pearse

The tyre is coming off. I've arranged it at the local tyre centre. I think I would do too much damage with tyre levers!!
Nigel Munford

Well, I've replaced the spoke, but had to remove two others to do it, and I've tightened them up so they've got a nice 'pinging' sound when you tap them. However, how can I be sure I haven't overtightened them and twisted the wheel?
Nigel Munford

It's very easy to check to see if you tightened the spokes too much. Just jack up the wheel off the ground and release the emergency brake if it's the rear wheel.

Stack up anything handy next to the wheel and place a ruler or some other handy pointed object so that it's close to the rim and doesn't move. Spin the wheel by hand to check for any wobble. If the distance between the rim and your pointer doesn't vary noticeably, then you are good to go.
MGA Larry

Nigel, when doing as Larry says, the very edge of the wheel rim can be off a bit. Best to go by the side of the well where the bead sits. Also spin it and look at the tread for wobble. You are unlikely to have altered anything.
Art Pearse

This thread was discussed between 29/04/2009 and 08/05/2009

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