Calling all wheel truing experts!

[timbanditos]

Working on truing the front wheel on my Z but I need a little advice. I have been working on the radial runout and wondering if I should start with lateral first instead? Also, where do you measure with your dial indicator? Not sure what part of the rim I should be pushing the indicator against. Thanks!

[Noble]

Radial first. Forget the indicator. Spec is 2mm, (.080"), You can easily do better than that just bye eye and using anything for a pointer as you spin the wheel. Rarely does radial need correction unless you have a bent rim in which case you need a new rim. Indicate against where the tire bead seats on the rim.

Then do the lateral run out. Same spec, 2mm or better.

[timbanditos]

Noble, thanks for the tip, I am around .270 and can't seem to get much closer. This is a used front wheel but I couldn't find any visible rim imperfections like dents or bends. Sound like I should loosen up and start over?

[Noble]

Holly crap. .270 is bad. Sounds bent to me. Is that radial or lateral? Yea, might as well loosen up and start over. Nothing to loose except your time.

[timbanditos]

Thats my radial, took the entire wheel apart as it had a wicked woble, sounds like I might as well buy new rims and lace up from the begining. I wasn't sure how far out that was for taking all the spokes off and starting from scratch.

[timbanditos]

Actually, I double checked my indicator, my radial range is 27/100 of an inch. Sound within spec? For some reason I'm losing my mind on the measuring thing. is the .080 80/100ths of an inch?

[torch1822]

.080 = 8/100 or 80/1000

[timbanditos]

Got it torch, thats what I was thinking but I was confusing with the metric system. Been a long couple of weeks and I'm missing a poker run due to this dang wheel. Looks like its back to the grind to work on it. Thanks guys.

[Noble]

"Actually, I double checked my indicator, my radial range is 27/100 of an inch. Sound within spec? For some reason I'm losing my mind on the measuring thing. is the .080 80/100ths of an inch?"---- No .080 is 80/1000 of an inch.

Not may indicators read in 1/100 of an inch. Your indicator is probably 1/1000 of an inch.

.270" is a just a bit over 1/4 inch. .027" is just a bit less than 1/32 inch. Anything less then 1/16" (.062") is fine. .027" is great.

[timbanditos]

Well, got it down to .120 radial, .080 lateral. Going to call it a day and give it a fresh start in the morning. I didn't realize how much patience this takes, everytime I correct one part another gets out of line. Baby steps! Thanks for the clarification on the measure.

[Rhinoracer]

Don't know how you are doing the tightening.

Radial: You tighten the two spokes in the highest spot (one left and one right) and usually the two next to each one of those or more if it's a really wide high spot.

Or: If from the beginning you notice the high spot is also off by a lot to one side you tighten only alternate spokes pulling to the side you want it to go.

Lateral: When the spokes are reaching the right tension (the nipples become harder to tighten) you tighten the ones that need to pull to the correct side and loosen the ones that are pulling to the wrong side. Usually also in sets of at least 4 spokes (the two at the highest spot and the two next to those-more if it's a really high spot).

Also: Not sure on aluminum rims but on steel rims there is a spot where the rim is welded, you ignore the reading on that spot which is always off by a lot.

[Noble]

Good point. Aluminum rims also have a weld seam that should be ignored. One reason I don't use a dial indicator. It is too sensitive.

[timbanditos]

Yeah guys, I was ignoring the weld as it jacked up the measure in one spot. I got to 12/1000 on my radial and spooned on a tire and it rides fine. I know its not perfect but I didn't have issues so I'm leaving it until I buy new rims and spokes. Hopefully it will be easy with brand new rims next time. Thanks for the input guys!

[Noble]

12/1000 (.012) is near perfect. I'm guessing you mean 120/1000 (.120) (about 1/8th inch)

1/8th is noticeable but not horrible.

[timbanditos]

yep Noble, my bad, still can't get my math right. Maybe truing is my thing!