1000 wheel question re: breakage

[Paladin1962]

Is it a known problem that Minor wheels are prone to breakage? If so, is there a method of preventing it; i.e. some sort of heat treatment? My concern is that between the three of mine I have only one set of wheels and they are not particularly common this side of the pond.

[ManyMinors]

Morris Minors of various ages have different wheels. You haven't said what age/model you cars are. I believe that early cars did suffer from split wheels. I have never had any problem with any wheel on my own Minors in more than 50 years but most of mine have been Minor 1000 models.

[Paladin1962]

The wheels I have were on the 1960 1000 donor car. I've not had a failure of any steel wheel in my lifetime of driving; just saw a reference to centers breaking out. I would think even the rarest occurrence would scramble the manufacturer to remedy the issue if it was during the years of production! It may be simply due to the advanced age and accumulated stress that takes it's toll now. That being said, almost any wheel of any type might be subject to failure simply as a combination of neglect, damage, corrosion, etc.... not to be a fear monger by any means.
I'd be more inclined to think that breakage results from doing stupid things like not avoiding chuck holes and kerbs and sleeping policemen..

[michael4]

I asked a similar question a while back, see here:

viewtopic.php?p=706530#p706530

[moggiethouable]

I would have thought steel wheels are at least repairable, but I have ben around minors for so long now and cannot recall any wheel issues.
The only wheel I broke was an alloy one fitted to a turbo nissan bluebird, in a very large and well hidden pothole.
The other benefit of the old steel wheels is, they can if bent, be reshaped and from time to time painted from home.

[myoldjalopy]

Although the earlier wheels are reported to have been liable to cracks (see ManyMinor's comment above), the later 1000 wheels are not known for fractures. I must say that I have never had any issues with any wheel, either on 1000's or the earlier SII models............er, I think that's 20 wheels over a 40+ year period!
What these cars are famous for is the collapse of the front suspension if greasing is shirked.

[jaekl]

Same experience here, The only broken wheel I've had is when moving one where the previous owner only had three lugs. I know you have posted on the USA forum. There are quite a few members in your corner and surely they have some. On the other hand buying reproduced wider van wheels will be better in the long run as there are slightly more tire choices.

[Paladin1962]

We do seem to have a few Minors in Florida and Georgia.... they must have migrated down with snowbirds from New England

[POMMReg]

Later wheels either with rivetted or welded rims - don't think I've seen this mentioned anywhere - assumed GPO/PO welded ones?

[michael4]

I've heard it told that someone once drilled an extra three holes in the wheels so the brakes could be adjusted without wheel removal whatever way the wheel was fitted. Apparently a wheel cracked and then came apart.

I don't know if the OP's wheel have the additional hole for brake adjustment, if not this won't make much sense!.

[les]

Easy enough to fit the wheel so the original hole is in the right place for adjustment, then no need for extra holes.——- people do funny things.

[POMMReg]

I've heard it told that someone once drilled an extra three holes in the wheels so the brakes could be adjusted without wheel removal whatever way the wheel was fitted. Apparently a wheel cracked and then came apart.

I don't know if the OP's wheel have the additional hole for brake adjustment, if not this won't make much sense!.

Fixing the inner & outer part together - looking on the inside of the wheel, either see spot welds or domed rivets?

[panky]

I had a set of old re-hooped 5 1/2" wide wheels -the riveted type. They looked great but after a while I found cracking around the stud holes and were quickly replaced with the original wheels.