[many birds]

I'm in the process of deciding whether or not to restore a rusty set of 15x7 Rally II wheels. Before I spend too much time on prepping them, I'd like to know what are tolerances for runout. How oval shaped (is this called radial runout??) and how much side-to-side runout (is this called axial runout??) is allowable before it becomes problematic? And where should I be measuring this? I don't have a wheel balance machine, so I'm going to mount the naked wheel to front axle to do the measurements.

[mgarblik]

With a dial indicator, a good factory steel wheel would have 0-.015" lateral runnout measured at the bead sealing surface inside and outside. Radial runnout 0-.030" at the bead surface as well. When a wheel reaches double that amount of runnout. .030 lateral. .060 radial, it is not usable. Some can be straightened and returned to service by specialty wheel repair services.

[i82much]

damn. i always just got them from the junkyard and ran them without a second thought!

[gto4ben]

I tabulated the wheel radial and lateral specs from the '65-'70 service manuals. They are as mgarblik said but they also provided additional specs for combined radial and lateral runout. I attached some measurements I made of my Rally 1s to give you an idea what to expect. If the combined runouts are minimal, very little balancing weights required.

[PAUL K]

Originally Posted by i82much

damn. i always just got them from the junkyard and ran them without a second thought!

Before I met her, my wife went to a junk yard to purchase a set of Buick Rallye wheels for her 85 Regal. Her father and brother explained to her to roll the wheels and make sure they roll smoothly and don't wobble.... I thought that was very helpful of them.

[many birds]

Thanks for the specs. I finally got around to measuring mine. 2 are within specs, and 2 are slightly out of spec in the radial runout. Approximately 0.50 radial runout. Is this still useable, or will there be a lot of vibrations?

[many birds]

Oops! I meant 0.050 radial runout.

[i82much]

Originally Posted by PAUL K

Before I met her, my wife went to a junk yard to purchase a set of Buick Rallye wheels for her 85 Regal. Her father and brother explained to her to roll the wheels and make sure they roll smoothly and don't wobble.... I thought that was very helpful of them.

Seems excessive 🤣

[mgarblik]

Originally Posted by many birds

Thanks for the specs. I finally got around to measuring mine. 2 are within specs, and 2 are slightly out of spec in the radial runout. Approximately 0.50 radial runout. Is this still useable, or will there be a lot of vibrations?

With a careful balance and nice, round tires, they will be fine IMO. I just balanced a set of old Corvette knock off wheels this weekend. They are heavy Kelsey Hayes wheels. 2 of them were out of spec. slightly like your rally wheels. But they performed just fine on the car.

[jhein]

Originally Posted by i82much

damn. i always just got them from the junkyard and ran them without a second thought!

With three solid lug nuts.

[242177P]

Originally Posted by jhein

With three solid lug nuts.

Speaking of lug nuts, it don't matter
whether the rim is within spec if the
lug holes are heavily wallowed out.

[i82much]

Originally Posted by 242177P

Speaking of lug nuts, it don't matter
whether the rim is within spec if the
lug holes are heavily wallowed out.

Not true!! They roll down the road a lot nicer after they come flying off the car when the runout is correct!!!

[jhein]

Originally Posted by 242177P

Speaking of lug nuts, it don't matter
whether the rim is within spec if the
lug holes are heavily wallowed out.

That's why they have 5 holes. So you can use the three best ones.

[i82much]

Originally Posted by jhein

That's why they have 5 holes. So you can use the three best ones.

Just like girlfriends!!

[kingbuzzo]

jinkies!