Wire wheel issue
 

I started out the new year on a flatbed. My rear passenger side wheel decided to give out yesterday....17 spokes snapped. Does anyone know where i can find a replacement?

Jaguar factory recommendation was not to fit wire spoke wheels to the XJ saloon due to the cornering forces this heavy car could impose on them. However, there are suppliers of such wheels, some good some not so good.

You need to be more forthcoming on the wheels, if you can. Replacement wire wheels are available but may not match what you have. Are they bolt-on or knock-on ? Any idea of manufacturer ? Here is a website for good quality wire wheels for XJ saloons

MWS Fitment Guide - Display Entry

A change to alloy wheels is probably the cheaper and more reliable option.

Fraser is right on the money. If Jag or Aston Martin or Ferrari could have found a way to continue those gorgeous wire wheels on it's vehicles it would have. The demand is out there but the wire wheels just aren't up to the job.
All that being said, Dayton is one of the names that comes to mind for US suppliers of wire wheels. Also, Welsh Enterprises occasionally has used sets of wire wheels and they sell new Daytons as well.

I think I should also say that if you have given up your more wild driving habits. (wheel spin to wheel lock on every trip), and drive reasonably gently. (no hard cornering and racing other cars at the lights !!), then wire wheels can be a very nice looking option. My friend had E-types in the 70s , and used to light-up the rear tyres quite often, but the wires never failed. Of course you need a checking routine to ensure slack spokes get re-tightened.

switchin it up
 

Im going to swap the wires to alloy. i had a pair in storage and just cleaned them up. im having trouble removing 1 lug from the busted wheel. just destroyed my crowbar and all i loosened up were a few of my ribs.

Alloys: good decision :-)

Your car: it looks great. That shade of blue has always been one of my favorites on a Ser III.


Cheers
DD

Thanks Doug
 

I went with the wires shortly after i made my purchase...simply because of the look. I cant say they provided me with the smoothest of rides over the years.

Do you think i should try to sell the wheels or just put them into storage and eventually try to locate a replacement for the busted wheel or send it out to be fixed.

I have a feeling once i go w/ the alloy i doubt ill go back
to wire

Sounds to me like the love affair is over. Sell 'em :-)

Cheers
DD

Alloy wheels vs Wire Wheels
 

I made the switch yesterday...and yes Doug, the love affair ended as soon as i began my journey home from the shop. The ride was smoothe. No issues other than the my passenger side rear wheel not having a center cap by the time i got home.

Back in the day I owned an E Type with beautiful factory wires. One or more of the wire wheels were out of round after 30,000 miles. At low speed, say below 30 mph the car had an undulation motion. At higher speeds that sensation went away.

I took it to the renowned wire wheel specialist of the day to get the wheels trued up. This was in Southern Ohio in the mid 70s. He quoted me a very high price because, as he explained, the first step was to cut out all the spokes and start over. He said it was the only way to deal with wire wheels after they had been exposed to road Salt. He also required me to deliver the wheels less tires as he did not fool with dismounting tires and storing cars being serviced.

In other words, a big pain in the a-- for me at substantial cost and inconvenience. I didn't get the work done and didn't keep the car for various other reasons because I was sooooooo stupid, stupid, stupid.:icon_saywhat: I just did not appreciate what I had. SOAB !!!