Has anybody on this forum had Elan steel wheels repaired, straightened and balanced in the UK?
John Larkin
they’re in Cardiff - used them some years ago and was very impressed.
I’ve only heard good things about these people wellerwheels.com/
Anyone know of someone in NA especially in Ontario, Canada?
Neither Richards Brothers nor Weller Wheels repair steel wheels, nor could they advise on where to get such work done.
The search goes on…
John Larkin.
Have you read Randall Fehr’s article on Elan steel wheels? It is posted on LotusElan.net (this site).
Or go to this URL:
John, sorry to be bearer of bad new but in many cases the Elan wheels are not repairable. Where the thin low strength steel (by modern wheel standards) has stretched, straightening will only be a short lived repair. Cracks repairs as well can only be viewed as a limited life repair option. Why not speak to Susan Miller, I thought she had stocks of new wheels.
Regards
Gerry
After much phoning, I found Stephenson’s Steering Specialists, !33-A Taunton Road West in Oshawa. Phone 905-725-0522. My rims were round and could be balanced but two had a bit of wobble. Stephenson did a good job of straightening them for $20 each. I have not yet tried them out on the road.
Bob
26/4912
Hi Gerry,
Susan Miller has not had any wheels available for about two years I think. I have enquired of her a few times about availablity but she has not yet found a supplier.
The Elan Factory in Melbourne can supply new wheels but the cost after shipping and taxes is very high.
I may have to buy Minilites or Panasports.
John Larkin.
Most odd news from Richards bros - they repaired some quite badly bent steel wheels of mine but it must be 15 years ago - perhaps they have moved on. I seem to recall they have a very long history pre-dating the motor car and were ‘proper’ wheelwrights originally.
Hi all,
Slightly off topic but before I contact the Elan Factory for new knock on steel wheel for my S3 DHC is there anyone in Australia that might have spare knock on steel wheel they want to sell?? my spare is rusty, and I mean rusty…
Tonyw
Tony
Suggest getting a can of Zoosh or keeping an eye on ebay.
I find the can of Zoosh and membership to NRMA (same as RAC for you poms) means no need for a jack or a spare.
Think of all the extra room you will have for that Margaret River wine without a spare Tony!
Ho Gordon,
You make a valid point regarding space…perhaps i will not bother???
Tonyw
I had a bad spare that had ovalled the holes quite badly but there were no cracks . I thought, what the heck , if it’s scrap I can’t make it worse!
I put some heat on the holes and used a ballpane hammer on inside & a metal block on the outside and I was amazed how easily I was able to knock them back into shape. It’s on the car right now . worth a go before you scrap 'em.
Another wheel was returned from tyre merchants as being unbalanceable as it was twisted .
I put the wheel with the tyre on rear hub , visualised where the rim had pushed in and basically gave it a yank to straighten it out . I don’t recall using any other persuader, considering i didn’t want to damage the bearings
RichC
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