Is Wheel Wobble a Strain on Axle?

[jg61hawk]

Someone pointed out my right rear wheel had a small wobble going down the road. I jacked up the car and switched tires to each side. The wobble changed sides so it is a slightly bent wheel.

My question to the more experienced guys is: Is a slight wobble that I never felt and is not extreme a serious problem for the Model A? Is this flexing the axle like flexing a beer can back and forth and will it cause a problem? Thanks.

[SeaSlugs]

It deffinately isn't good for the axles id imagine. Maybe swap it to one of the fronts?

[WHN]

I would use it for spare.

Front or back, it is going to cause problems. Enjoy.

[MAG]

The Model A Differential employs a 3/4 floating axle. The weight of the vehicle is carried by the bearing surface on the axle housing on which the bearing in the hub runs. The axle provides the turning power for the wheel. While a bent wheel is not ideal it should cause no excessive or dangerous load on the axle. JMO.

[SeaSlugs]

Originally Posted by MAG

The Model A Differential employs a 3/4 floating axle. The weight of the vehicle is carried by the bearing surface on the axle housing on which the bearing in the hub runs. The axle provides the turning power for the wheel. While a bent wheel is not ideal it should cause no excessive or dangerous load on the axle. JMO.

True the weight of the car is on the bearing but a bent rim is equivalent to someone pushing and pulling at the edge of the tire in and out perpendicular to the car thus pushing and pulling the axle in and out ever so lightly in a circular fashion. If you've ever seen a more modern pickup with a bent rear wheel at low speeds you can see the whole bed shake left and right.

So yea a bent rim is not ideal and it may outlast the car not causing any damage but to instill confidence its probably best to source another rim or straighten it.

[wmws]

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How bent is the wheel. If it is less than 1/8 inch I would not worry too much unless you are driving at high speeds a lot. Good 19 inch wheels are easier to find than 21.

[Dave in MN]

I have often seen Model A owners and restorers note that 1/8" was the factory tolerance for wheel wobble. When I straighten wheels, I usually can get them well within this limit.

1/8" wobble up and close to you when you are working on a wheel catches your attention. Given this limit from the factory, I would say that doubling this amount on the road at moderate speeds would probably cause no harm to the car but would be seen by anyone following you.

These wheels are not that hard to straighten. Go to the DIY Help page of my website and look at: Wheel Wobble Reduction by Spoke shrinking

To get to my website click on this link: www.durableperformance.net

Good Day!