Will my wheels fall off!!

Post by **ani** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 1:48 pm

A "young" mechanic has taken a look over the pickup and generally all seems to be ok. However he has advised me to get four new wheels and 16 wheelnut ASAP. Apparantly he believes the wrong size wheelnuts have been used and the wholes in the wheels are too big - hence wheres not much nut holding the wheels on ..........argh

When I get around to prizing off the hubs again I'll take some closeup photos - I'd certainly like an opinion on this one.

I mentioned "young" as he had no idea where the grease points were!! He might have missed the Manual on the front seat

Post by **bmcecosse** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 2:24 pm

Need to see a picture of the wheels - are they standard Minor wheels - or has someone 'bodged' on a set of incorrect fitting modern wheels ? If so - that is extremely dangerous. There are often standard wheels 'going free' on here.

Post by **ani** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 2:45 pm

I've no idea if they are standard or not - I'll get some photos done shortly. Just out of interest are the pick-up wheels exactly the same as the saloon wheels? Just out of interest would this not have been picked up when the MOT was done? (or is that a stupid question!) Bak soon and thanks

Post by **bmcecosse** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 2:47 pm

No - they don't take hub-caps off for MOT! As long as the wheels weren't 'loose' that's all that matters. Yes P-up wheels are same - although later LCVs (but maybe only 8cwt vans) had wider/stronger wheels which are now much sought after and attract premium price.

Post by **ani** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 4:32 pm

Here are the pictures - remember I'm alergic to bad news

Post by **Cam** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 4:39 pm

The nuts look like they are on backwards!

Can you see the tapered bit at the end? does it have one that goes inside the hole in the wheel? if not then they are on backwards but some have a taper on both ends.

Post by **ani** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 5:14 pm

Um - think I know what you mean - would the nut normally have a tapered bit on both ends?! I'll take another look - shouldn't have spent 20 minutes getting the hubcap back on!!

Post by **d_harris** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 5:34 pm

The wheel side of the nut should have a taper. Like Cam, my initial reaction was that the nuts are on thew wrong way.

In the top picture it does look like the hole in the wheel is a bit mis-shapen, but the pic is out of focus. Perhaps you could undo the nut and take a pic of the hole in the wheel?

Post by **Cam** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 5:38 pm

ani wrote:Um - think I know what you mean - would the nut normally have a tapered bit on both ends?!

That's the thing! Some do and some don't. Just depends on which ones are fitted to your pickup.

I'll take another look - shouldn't have spent 20 minutes getting the hubcap back on!!

possibly not! I find a claw hammer works well removing the hubcaps if you put a cloth inbetween the hammer and the wheel so you don't damage the paint on the wheel.

Post by **PSL184** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 5:54 pm

Those wheels were never designed for hubcaps. You can see where someone has welded on some lugs - That's why you are having problems fitting the hubcaps. The wheels are OK for your car but I would invest in some new nuts at the very least then make sure they torque up OK...

Post by **ani** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 5:57 pm

OK - I'll take some pics of the wheel holes tomorrow. Is it normal for the holes to become mis-shapen? The more I look the worse it seems! Here's another picture - I'll try to get the focus better next time. Just out of interest is the wheel a genuine minor wheel? I was a bit concerned reading the comment from bmcecosse earlier.

Post by **PSL184** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 5:59 pm

The wheel is off a Midget but the same PCD so fits OK. If the nuts have been put on backwards it may be because the wheel taper is different to the taper on the Minor bolts.... Without the taper sitting in the wheel they will move around and cause the holes to open up - NOT an ideal situation and definately unsafe

Post by **ani** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 6:18 pm

Looks like the holes have opened up - will see better tomorrow. Good thing I didn't know this before driving it from Newcastle to Aldershot!! What's the best course of action - new proper wheels? Another pic attached.

Also out of focus

Post by **d_harris** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 6:24 pm

The wheel is not nessecarily midget, its a "rostyle" and shouldn't be difficult to replace, however as PSL says it has been modified for the caps...

I think your best course of action is to replace the wheels - a replacement set should be obtainable from ebay, alternativly standard minor rims come up as freebies pretty often.

I shall have a look on fleabay and see if I can find owt suitable

Post by **ani** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 6:52 pm

Many thanks - however I'm reluctant to drive too far to get some. I do have a brother in Coventry so I could rope him in to a collection if near to him. There seems to be lots of Minor activity in that area.

Post by **aupickup** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 6:53 pm

do you prefer the wider type and aftermarket wheels

Post by **ani** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 7:01 pm

I think the wider type look better on the pick-up. What's an aftermarket wheel??

Do you think the wheels might fall off ..... scarey

Post by **d_harris** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 7:02 pm

Sorry, nothing paticuarly super on ebay I'm afraid without spending a fortune.

http://www.morrisminorspares.net/shop_item.php?ID=4370
seems like a pretty good deal if you have that much spare, if not, its ebay bargains...

Post by **ani** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 7:25 pm

Nice - however just a bit toooooo much money!

Post by **bmcecosse** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 7:27 pm

Yes - I think these wheels will 'fall off' very soon. You seriously should not drive the car like that. the wheels are not the correct PCD (Pitch Centre Diameter) and someone has bodged them on by opening up the holes and then putting nuts on backwards! Downright criminal I would say. You need 4 standard Minor wheels - and yes - I think you should get new nuts too. The studs may also have been bent or damaged in some other way - I seriously suggest they too should be replaced with new ones.