Steel 4.5 Knock-on wheels

[roadterror]

Hi everyone,
I hope I'm not highjacking this post, but had a similar question... I have 3 4.5 knock-on steel wheels that have developed faint stress cracks from some of the peg drive holes. Being that these wheels are becoming so hard to find, is it at all common to fix these or are they now lawn art?

Thanks,
Mike

Would it be possible to drill out new holes between the worn-out/ damaged ones? Guess the cracked peg holes should be weldable or can be sealed-up....

[Allison]

I've just phoned the factory spares dept in Norwich (that big new buidling behind Sainsburys on the Longwater trading estate) and they have no knowledge of any Elan wheels. Nor of anyone called Steve. Please can you post more details.

Thanks Allison

[nebogipfel]

I've just phoned the factory spares dept in Norwich (that big new buidling behind Sainsburys on the Longwater trading estate) and they have no knowledge of any Elan wheels. Nor of anyone called Steve. Please can you post more details.

Thanks Allison

Bit of a misunderstanding here, this isn't THE Elan Factory but "The Elan Factory" in the antipodes ....

http://www.elanfactory.com.au/

If Lotus produced wheels for the Elan the lovely Susan Miller would be stocking them

[RedS4]

The Elan Factory also has another website - http://www.lotusmarques.com/

[TroonSprint]

Can I resurrect this thread from a few months ago as I would like to know if Andy resolved his wheel dilemma and if so, how.

I would also like to know where he bought the Michelin 155HR13 XAS FF tyres and whether they cost less than ?150 each. Are Michelin still making these tyres, or are they old stock, in which case are they safe?

I have four original steel knock-on wheels for my Sprint in excellent condition (they haven't been used since 1977), but it seems that finding H-rated tyres is problematic. I'm never likely to exceed say 80 or 90 mph, so in theory a T-rated tyre should be fine (good to 118 mph or 190 kph). Is that what UK owners are using? Is there ever any bother at MOT test time?

With any luck I will be able to start the rebuild of my Sprint in the summer. Can't wait.

Mike

[nebogipfel]

Can I resurrect this thread from a few months ago as I would like to know if Andy resolved his wheel dilemma and if so, how.

I would also like to know where he bought the Michelin 155HR13 XAS FF tyres and whether they cost less than ?150 each. Are Michelin still making these tyres, or are they old stock, in which case are they safe?

I have four original steel knock-on wheels for my Sprint in excellent condition (they haven't been used since 1977), but it seems that finding H-rated tyres is problematic. I'm never likely to exceed say 80 or 90 mph, so in theory a T-rated tyre should be fine (good to 118 mph or 190 kph). Is that what UK owners are using? Is there ever any bother at MOT test time?

With any luck I will be able to start the rebuild of my Sprint in the summer. Can't wait.

Mike

FWIW I use T Rated Uniroyal RALLYE 680 (standard size) and I find the tyres to be excellent for normal use and more importantly, sensibly priced. (around ?35 last time I looked) The only thing I'm not a fan of is the side wall design, the lettering is a bit ugly.

On the subject of tyre rating. You could certainly argue (although I have never needed to) that T rating is ample for an Elan. The maximum speed limit in the UK is 70mph, so even allowing a bit of motorway excess it should never be an issue.

I think if you get nicked at 100+ mph you are going to have more to worry about than the speed rating of your tyres.

As far as I'm aware the wheel situation is still keep your eye out for a good used one on Ebay and similar sources, or fit an alternative such as Minilites

[elansprint71]

South West Lotus Centre (UK) used to bring new steel Elan wheels to club Lotus Donington each year, might be worth asking them if they still stock them.

[thundersaki]

Hi,
I'm not a Lotus man, but whilst searching for ex-stock wheels for my Berkeley I've found this forum.

Weller wheels are your best bet.

Les Weller said he could make some VERY unusual wheels for my car.

Les Weller can be contacted on 07850377710.

Hope this helps,

Mike

[ricarbo]

Following Andy's statement that the right rims are readily available, would it be ok to cut the old riveted rims off and then weld on new rims to the old centres? Or would that be considered a bit risky? I seem to remember that the SMMT spec for max run out, up and down or side to side is one sixteenth of an inch, according to my Triumph Herald workshop manual which I probably last saw in about 1970!!!
Richard

[elanfan1]

Following Andy's statement that the right rims are readily available, would it be ok to cut the old riveted rims off and then weld on new rims to the old centres? Or would that be considered a bit risky? I seem to remember that the SMMT spec for max run out, up and down or side to side is one sixteenth of an inch, according to my Triumph Herald workshop manual which I probably last saw in about 1970!!!
Richard

Did you ever do this? If so did they end up properly round or squircular?
I
The wheel set I advertised in the for sales are still available too.