MTFCA Forum

hello everyone, i am changing tires on my T and the rims are really sharp and jagged in some places, and i am going on a trip this weekend in it, so i need to get it fixed asap. should i just grind it down? this picture is the worst spot on the worst rim, and the rest of it is not that bad. maybe a temporary fix would be nice? just to get me through the trip?

You need to replace the rim. If you leave it alone, it will cut into the tire, and if you grind it you risk having the tire fall off while driving. It is unsafe. You need to find a swap meet where they have Model T parts and look for a better one. New ones are available, but are very high priced.
Norm

I looked at your name and find that you are in Las Vegas. There is a large club in that area and you might find someone in the club who has some spare parts and would be willing to sell you a better wheel.
Norm

I agree with Norman and will also suggest something else...you have made some friends in that group so reach out and see if anyone would loan you a wheel for your trip if you cannot find/purchase another in time. At best, your wheel will ruin a tire and be hazardous to ride on. Repairs are sometimes possible but a good deal of work and many would question its integrity even if done by someone very skilled. As rusted as that is, simply grinding smooth will reduce the clinch on the tire and it will be distorted when inflated and a risk of coming off. You don't want the risk of that happening nor do you want to become stranded on the road.

Best of Luck, and glad you asked

Carson,

Send me your address, have one you can have for the postage.

Hank

Hank you are a Model T Angel

I want to be a pixie! LOL

To be young and have that drive.., let’s relive our youth thru Carson!

Humble Hank

Carson

What do your other rims look like?

I don’t know about your other rims but it’s quite possible the rest or a least another one is in bad shape also.
It would be a good idea to be on the lookout for some more rims at swap meets. Eventually the good used ones will get scarcer and harder to come by. That’s why new ones are being made but they are expensive.
My opinion of course and good luck.

I purchased some used rims from Bob's Antique Auto . I imagine Model T haven would have some too. They both ship pretty fast, but not in time for your tour.

John

could i possibly use J B weld to fix it temporarily?

NO. Any temporary fit will last for a short ride down the road and then this will happen.

Un-safe at any speed.

Your clincher rim must be 1/8" thick at the edges (width of a ball point pen nose) and smooth!


Bad rim Bad rim, do not use!

Carson, you would do well to contact Hank. He is a great guy . He has helped me several times with advise and parts. Useing a rim like that will cost more in the long run, such as a cut tire and tube. Its not worth the risk to you or family getting injured .

...could i possibly use J B weld to fix it temporarily?

I agree with Dan, but I would put it this way: NO!

This rim is too far gone to be worth fixing. I wouldn't try serious metal work on it, and JB Weld would be useless for this. The only realistic way I see that you'll be able to use the car this weekend would be with borrowed wheels or rims, or if somebody in Clark County has what you need ready to sell right now.

BTW Carson

I'm sure you're bummed out right now, but trust me the sun will rise tomorrow. Removal of the tires to get ready for the trip is good fortune smiling on you and I can assure you your parents will feel more confident in you bombing around in this thing as you find and fix these things rather than have an unhappy event which convinces them that a T is not fit to ride in. That would be the sad day, for real. Make some phone calls and plead your case to a local T owner ASAP and in any event let us know how it works out. We're all rooting for you!

A friend had the same problem last year. I made some calls and had a rim and tire on his T for the home town parade. A friend took one off his car and loaned it to him and had never met the guy. Super people in this hobby!

My post office here closes in about 45 mins, you could have this one by Friday with priority mail.

Just trying to help,

Hank

Carson

You have now received a response from some of the best, Dan, Scott, Steve, and Hank.

Unfortunately, unless you can borrow some wheels, the car HAS to stay parked. We do not want to see you hurt. Every one of us had had that day when our car was out of commission and we could not drive it. It is just part of life.

I am not sure if you told us what type of rims you have. Hayes, Kelly, non-demountables. Can you post a couple more pics of your wheels, front and rear?

Remember, you have all year to drive that car. Get it safe now.

Do not drive on that rim. Some of the most knowledgeable people on this forum have told you it's a bad idea and given you some alternatives. If you can't make one work....park it until you get a good rim. Tire / rim failure on a Model T can lead to a lot more trouble than the inconvenience of sitting on the side of the road.

Carson,

These guys are right but so far I have not seen anyone tell you just how dangerous this rim is. Don't even think about putting air in it or it will destroy the tire and tube but even worse it is very possible it will blow off the side of the rim and could hit you while you are putting the air in it. If it did hold air it wont make it more than a few blocks at best. Be safe out there, don't chance it with this one.

Sorry I'm a little late to reply now, but I really appreciate the offer to send me a rim.I will send you a private message that has my address and my moms phone number is 702 335 3775. And I think the idea of borrowing someone else's tires is a great idea, and I will ask around in the the club.

P.s. To hank, my uncles name is hank as well!

Thanks again,
Carson

Carson sent me a private message, All is good. A re-galvanized rim and tube going out tomorrow for him. Safety first!

All the Best,

Hank

Good on you Hank! You are good for this hobby on many levels !

From personal experience I can tell you that Hank is definitely one of the "good guys" on this forum. I am only one of many people he has helped out in the past.

People like Hank and the others who've offered their help and suggestions are the one of the main reasons I enjoy this hobby so much.

Folks I am humbled by your kind comments. A person in need becomes a friend indeed, we did not get here by ourselves, someone helped us too.

A dear, dear Air Force friend who now has Alzheimer’s once told me, “I never meet a stranger, only a new friend. Hello friend”. I have to up hold his statement as it is so true and from this man that had two Bronze Stars with Valor pinned on his chest. He always put others before self.

I really enjoy helping a young person out in the sense of reliving my youth with fond memories of older friends of whom have past on. They told me, “...,one day you must help another and give back”. My day has come, I have more than I deserve, giving back is much better than receiving. Really gives the soul good food so to speak.

Sorry for a little rumbling.

This is about supporting the hobby as well. We are only Stewart’s in Time. You All give OUTSTANDING view points too, pat yourselves on the back. We have an AWESOME CLUB.

Thanks to All,

Humbled Hank in Tin-A-See

It's the "people" in the club that makes the club awesome.

It’s the great people involved with Model Ts that lead me to purchase one.I have owned collecter cars starting in 1983 with my first one, a 1955 Chevy Nomad.I must say it’s the Model T community that has been the best all around group of folks to associate/work with weather for help with technical advice, or parts,or where cars are for sale.I had the chance to meet some folks in Florida on the winter tour this past week and this experience has left me permanently hooked on Ts!

Carson

I see on another thread that you are driving your car and giving lessons...good for you!

how did your tire rim issue end up?

I know this is EXTREMELY late, but,

The spare rim and the 3 others were still ok, so we put an old tire on the spare and used the good rims. we did end up making the weekend trip!

Thanks for all your help guys.

Any photos??? Huh? Glad you made your trip.

Yes, photos of the trip are obligatory.