Diploma in Rims, Spokes and Wheel Truing
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in Rims, Spokes and Wheel Truing. 8 modules covering wheel types, rim restoration, spokes and hubs, wheel building, truing and balancing, tyre fitting and wheel safety, applying UN/ECE Regulation No. 124, the ETRTO Standards Manual and ISO 3911, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Rims, Spokes and Wheel Truing — studying from Australia
Restoration of classic vehicles and heritage machinery is a valued pursuit in Australia, supported by active car clubs, museums and a dedicated enthusiast community. Engineers and skilled restorers work on historical preservation, parts sourcing, engine rebuilding and compliance with vehicle registration requirements. The heritage and collectable vehicle market supports specialist workshops, parts suppliers and appraisal services. Employers include restoration workshops, museums, specialist importers and heritage organisations.
Fees for Australia: A$1,740 (AUD), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Australia
Typical roles
Questions from Australia
Is this training recognised by any Australian heritage or automotive restoration body?
SEIUM qualifications are private and not accredited by any Australian national body or heritage authority. Recognition is decided by employers and individual clients. Heritage listings and vehicle registration are governed by state authorities, so check their requirements separately if they affect your work.
Which Australian businesses might employ restoration specialists with this training?
Classic car restoration workshops, heritage vehicle dealers, museums, and specialist parts suppliers are examples of Australian employers and clients in this area. Hiring decisions rest with each business. A strong restoration portfolio and practical experience are typically more persuasive than a private qualification.
Can I study from Australia while keeping my current work, and can it be funded?
Yes, the programmes are fully online and taught in English, so you can study from Australia without a student visa and around your existing work. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible. Check the total hours and build a schedule you can sustain.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Identify wheel types by era.
Restore steel and alloy rims.
Calculate and select spokes and hubs.
Lace wheels with the correct spoke tension.
True and balance wheels accurately.
Fit the appropriate tyres to each rim.
Verify wheel safety in line with the applicable regulations.
Who it's for
- Spoked-wheel technicians who want to master building and truing.
- Classic vehicle restorers handling complete wheel sets.
- Tyre technicians working with period and spoked wheels.
- Classic motorcycle mechanics.
- Historic motorsport preparers responsible for wheel safety.
- Vehicle inspectors who assess classic wheels.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter car and motorcycle restoration.
What you'll work with
- UN/ECE Regulation No. 124 (replacement wheels for passenger cars)
- ETRTO Standards Manual (European tyre and rim dimensions)
- ISO 3911 (wheels and rims: nomenclature, designation and marking)
- ISO 3006 (road vehicle wheels: test methods)
- ISO 7141 (road vehicles: light alloy wheels, impact test)
- SAE J328 (wheel performance requirements and test procedures)
- Microsoft Excel
- SolidWorks
- ANSYS Mechanical
8 modules
1.1Wooden artillery wheels1.2Wire-spoked wheels1.3Steel disc wheels1.4Alloy rims1.5Multi-piece rims1.6Centre-lock fixings1.7Bolt-on fixings1.8Dimensions and nomenclature1.9Motorcycle wheels1.10Practical exercise: identifying wheels from different eras
2.1Rim profiles2.2Well-base and flat rims2.3Corrosion and damage2.4Rim straightening2.5Welding and repair2.6Chrome plating and painting2.7Polishing alloys2.8Rim testing2.9Rejection criteria2.10Workshop: straightening a steel rim
3.1Spokes and nipples3.2Spoke materials3.3Gauges and lengths3.4Hubs and their restoration3.5Calculating spoke length3.6Lacing patterns3.7Two-cross and three-cross wheels3.8Centre-lock hubs3.9Wheel bearings3.10Lab: calculating spoke lengths
4.1Preparing components4.2Lacing4.3Initial tension4.4Tightening sequence4.5Final tension4.6Stress relieving4.7Measuring tension4.8Common deviations4.9Anti-corrosion protection4.10Practical exercise: lacing a complete wheel
5.1Radial truing5.2Lateral truing5.3Rim offset (dish)5.4Truing stands5.5Dial indicators5.6Tolerances5.7Static balancing5.8Dynamic balancing5.9Period balance weights5.10Workshop: truing a wire wheel
6.1Period tyres6.2Inner tubes and rim tapes6.3Fitting without damaging the rim6.4Inflation pressures6.5Beads and seating6.6Tubeless tyres6.7Rim-tyre compatibility6.8Storage6.9Tyre age6.10Case study: fitting tyres to spoked rims
7.1Loads on the wheel7.2Spoke fatigue7.3Wheel testing7.4Periodic inspection7.5Wheel regulations7.6Periodic roadworthiness testing7.7Wheels in historic motorsport7.8Workshop liability7.9Documentation7.10Practical exercise: safety inspection of a wheel
8.1Selecting the wheel set8.2Diagnosis8.3Restoration plan8.4Restoring rims and hubs8.5Lacing8.6Truing and balancing8.7Fitting tyres8.8Technical report8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
Training is 100% online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so the programme fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standards and applied exercises. You work with Microsoft Excel, SolidWorks and ANSYS Mechanical, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Exercises are based on real procedures: lacing and truing wire wheels, measuring spoke tension and dynamic balancing of classic wheels. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: UN/ECE Regulation No. 124, ETRTO Standards Manual, ISO 3911, ISO 3006, ISO 7141, SAE J328.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. A university degree is not required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 800 hours over 6–8 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with Microsoft Excel, SolidWorks, ANSYS Mechanical, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector (no university degree required), a suitable computer and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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