Steel wheel restoration

[bloodknock]

I hope this is the correct forum??
I am restoring my sprint after many years hibernation. I have all five steels as original and need them checked for true, rim re-fettled (Kerbed), and repainted. Its currently sitting on some wolfrace with G800's!
I think three are OK, but I think two of them are out of true. Can anyone advise of the best route or source of rectification work. The rims are in generally good nick, no peg hole or knock on location damage.
Thanks
Bob

[elanfan1]

Bob,

if you put your location in your profile you may get more replies. Its no good someone recommending a great wheelwright in Madagascar if you are in Kracow

[bloodknock]

Very good point!
I'm in Leicestershire UK
Thanks
Bob

[elanfan1]

Bob,

doubtless there are other wheel refinishing companies close to you. However there is Renowheel in Bridgend.

Unfortunately you would incur courier costs there and back which might make it uneconomic.
A quick google reveals these in your area:
www.alloywheelrepair.co.uk/

no knowledge of their work I'm afraid

[RichardHawkins]

Bob,
If you look at the post "are my rims bent" 31/3/2013 you will find some information. I was unable to find anyone who repairs steel wheels. If you find someone please let us all know.

Richard Hawkins

[bloodknock]

I've been looking but no joy yet.
Sue Miller advertises 4.5J steels in a heavier gauge material, has anybody any experience of these? do they look any different?
Bob Skerritt

[adigra]

I asked Sue about the re-manufactured wheels a while ago and they were all sold out. It was a batch made by someone (can't remember who) and they sold out quickly. They looked right, but apparently were very heavy.

[Keith Scarfe]

Worth a read: http://www.lotuselan.net/forums/lotus-suspension-f42/steel-wheel-manufacturer-t27233.html
I haven't found anyone who will renovate old rims but as Richard said, if you find anyone please do let us all know.

[rgh0]

I asked Sue about the re-manufactured wheels a while ago and they were all sold out. It was a batch made by someone (can't remember who) and they sold out quickly. They looked right, but apparently were very heavy.

This would have been the batch made by the Elan Factory a few years ago. It looks like he is not interested in doing any more production runs I guess. Though I am sure he would still have the tooling and programs.

regards
Rohan

[bloodknock]

I dont know if this could be viable....I've been in touch with an Australian company The Elan Factory, They have sent the included reply to an email enquiry I recently sent them for steel wheels:

Hi Bob
Many thanks for your email
Unfortunately the demand for steel wheels has gradually declined over the
years and we no longer carry stock
However it is still possible to manufacture these in small batches
To offer these at a realistic price there needs to be a minimum run of 50
wheels
From a manufacturing point of view there are significant set-up costs for
the wheel centre fabrication and laser cutting
As with all manufacturing, there more you make the lower the unit cost
The last batch of wheels made two years ago were made available to
customers for AUS $210.00 each
Happy to make another batch as there are several Australian and
international Elan owners that have expressed an interest in steel wheels
Do you know other Elan owners who would be interested in a set of high
quality steel wheels that are faithful reproduction of the original?
If its possible to put together a combined order of 10 sets (50 units) of
steel wheels then it would be viable to manufacture a new batch
Please be aware its expensive to mail or ship anything from Australia to
any part of the world
Whereabouts do you reside?

Kind regards, Steve Taylor

Could we drum up sufficient interest in the forum to justify the manufacture of a batch?????

[jimj]

According to Mr. google $210 Aus dollars is about ?128 and a random postal company quotes $150 Aus for a 20kg parcel, say ?90.
Even if the price has risen to ?150 per wheel, that`s around ?700 for a set of 4 delivered at which price I`m in. I`m talking S3 knock-ons so we`d need 13 sets of 4 at that size, not that many. S4 and Sprints would need another minimum order of 50, I assume.
Let`s do it, the proper wheels look so much better than after-market alloys. I`m amazed Sue Miller, Neil`s, SJ etc don`t get together and place an order for such a relatively small production run.
Jim

[robertverhey]

Yes tallies with steve's verbal advice to me from earlier this year

lotus-suspension-f42/steel-wheel-manufacturer-t27233-15.html

[richardcox_lotus]

What's the difference between S3 & S4 knock-ons?

I thought all knockon wheels were the same ??

Regards
R

[jimj]

The only steel wheel repairer I could find is MWS . This is the response;
Dear Mr Jackson,



Thank you for your enquiry, until we check the wheels it is difficult to say what is achievable; however approximate cost to true, straighten, repaint (silver or black powder-coat), refit the tyres and balance would be ?140 per wheel plus VAT. Return carriage would be approximately (based on weight) ?35.00 plus VAT.



The lead-time for this works would be 2 ? 3 weeks.



Should you wish to discuss or proceed with the above please do not hesitate to contact me.



Regards



Craig Ellis

Sales Manager



DDI: 01753 598 387

[John Larkin]

I believe that I emailed MWS a couple of years ago and they stated that they could not provide a repair service for Lotus Elan steel wheels, and I seem to recall that the fact that the webs are riveted to the rims was a problem for them.

I have just looked at their website and they do now offer a steel wheel repair and re-trueing service. Maybe you should check again with them and explain the construction of the Elan steel wheel and see if they are OK with it.

I'd consider sending all of my wheels to them if they can re-true them.

John Larkin.