What wheels can I use??????????

[Adrian Nugent]

Hello, My Morris just failed his MOT because the front wheels are too big and are rubbing the suspension. The tires I am using are 185mm wide firestones on 14" minilite wheels. I have been advised that 175 should be a good size to clear the suspension but before I go ahead and spend money I just wanted to see if anyone else might know if they would fit.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thank you

Adrian.

[dalebrignall]

have you got a spacer between the drum and the wheel

[philthehill]

How wide are your wheels?
Are your tyres scuffed where they have been rubbing the suspension and have they failed in themselves?
If the tyres are serviceable it is easier and cheaper to fit a wheel spacer at approx: £18 per axle. For example:-
http://www.minispares.com/product/Class ... w16.aspx?2
Use no thicker than required to clear the suspension and I would recommend that you do not use the universal type with the bolt on stud extension.

[mike.perry]

175/80/13 tyres are wide enough on 13 x 5.5 wheels and will be almost the same rolling radius as 155/80/14 tyres on standard Minor wheels

[bmcecosse]

Flat spacers AND LONGER STUDS are the way to go........

[tysonn]

I have the same wheels with 185/60 tyres bought from Bull Motif and had the same problem as they didn't advise me that the spacers Phil mentioned would be needed.Bought my spacers from them.

[ASL642]

We have 185's on one of our cars. Longer studs (Bull M) and spacers (Halfords stock these) No rubbing problems.

[bmcecosse]

The very important point is the LONGER STUDS - on standard studs there will be v little thread engagement - extremely dangerous.......

[mike.perry]

My GPO van failed its first civilian MOT because the studs did not project through the wheel nuts. Problem was that they were double ended GPO wheel nuts which were not designed to have the studs projecting completely through. Solution was to fit hub caps

[bmcecosse]

Hahahaha - or saloon nuts........

[philthehill]

If I remember correctly so long as the thread engagement between wheel stud/wheel nut was no less than - the diameter of stud x 1.625 length of the dia of the stud no increase in holding power can be obtained by increasing the length of the stud/wheel nut. So you can have as long a stud/wheel nut as you like but it will not make it any stronger.
Happy to be corrected but I am certain that a similar statement is in the MSA Blue Book (construction regulations section), regarding wheel studs and wheel nuts. Those wheel studs and nuts used in motor sport will be under more loading than those wheels studs and wheel nuts used on the public highway.
But of course a MOT is different and the examiner will have a different outlook.

[bmcecosse]

In general - the nut must go on full thread.......even almost 50 years ago when we made some 'special' wheel nuts to put 12 " Imp wheels on my Autocross Mini (first in Ecosseland to do so - having seen the Works using 12" wheels at Cadwell Rallycross) we were 'cautioned' by the Scrut because they 'only just' were on full thread... We had made them from larger hex bar - and slightly longer than Mini nuts......the answer was to skim a 1/16" off the flat end of the nuts....