Re: radial tires on antique wheels

Posted by PackardV8 On 2013/5/28 6:47:45

I'll have to agree with Peter Packard.

I've been running radials on my 56 Exec for over 10 years and more than 20K miles. Just installed a new set. No problems.

IF (and that's a big "IF") there was going to be any rim splitting problems thaen one would most likely experience wheel cover/hub cap loss FIRST. AND experience it on a frequent basis before any splitting.

Possibly some of the LOW PRICED models of cars (with in same make) prior to the HP revolution of 1955 mite have had some very thin lite duty wheels. WHICH MEANS that the higher priced models had heavier wheels. But such lower priced models would have been considered lite duty or utility grade to begin with and maybe only 45 mph cars. I've ran into this much to my surprise on pre '55 JEeps. But the old 4 cyl 40's and early 50's jeeps were 45 mph vehicles at best.
But no wheel splitting.
Claims of wheel splitting and suspensions not "tuned " for radials are weak claims at best without SPECIFIC reasons for the claim.