14 replies to this topic

[Andy South]

Model: Cooper

Year: 1993

Swapped my tyres from 145s to 165s on Friday (standard Rover mini lites, 4.5"). Didn't notice anything for the first journey of less than a mile. After this there was an obvious harsh rubbing noise on the o/s rear when turning left (pretty much every time unless going really slow). Pulled over and noticed the front o/s tyre was below pressure so stopped and put more air in, this cured the rubbing for the most part but if I take a reasonable left bend at speed the rubbing is back. Took the wheel off and to my surpise couldn't see where the rubbing had been on either the tyre or in and around the wheel arch. This is really confusing me. I can't be exactly sure because the plastic arch and rear bumper have taken a hit right at the back, but it looks like the n/s rear sticks out more than the o/s which would explain the rubbing. Does anyone have any thoughts on what this might be? Thanks, Andy.

[pariahcreative]

I'm not sure why the rubbing is only on one side but if you change from 145 to 165 you do need to fit 5mm spacers and longer studs on the rear.

[Andy South]

I'm not sure why the rubbing is only on one side but if you change from 145 to 165 you do need to fit 5mm spacers and longer studs on the rear.

Hmm, I swapped the tyres from a J reg Cooper which didn't have any obvious spacers - I'm assuming they would be between the drums and the wheels? Thanks, I'll check that out.

[twiggy]

I have 165 and occassionally they rub but I bent out the front arch slightly and now they dont

[Bungle]

the tyre up grade kit 145-165 used to come with a 5mm spacer and longer studs

[Andy South]

Thanks for your comments. I couldn't find a kit at mini-spares other than one which was for "Aftermarket wheel and wide tyres" but I did notice GDB112 BRAKE DRUM WITH 3mm SPACER, which may be suitable, I'll give them a ring tomorrow to see if they can help further.

The fact that it is only on one side has me worried about my o/s rear or front suspension being out somehow, but there is definitely no drag or pull and I just got the tracking done. Wierd. Anyway, I'm sure spacers of some kind will solve this problem. Cheers, Andy

[matt615]

If the suspension is in good condition, you should be able to fit 165 tyres to a Mini without using any spacers.

I used to have exactly the same problem on my Mini, which was fitted with 165 tyres. Whever I took a fairly sharp left hand turn, there was a horrible scraping noise coming from the rear o/s wheel. It took me ages to work out what it was, but after fitting a new radius arm on that side the problem immediately stopped. There must have been enough play in the radius arm bearing for the wheel to move enough to touch the arch.

[mini_mad69]

Could the tyre be rubbing the damper body? I don't know just an idea.

[Wil_h]

The problem is that all minis are made slightly differently, and a small amount of play in a radius arm can be the diffreance between the wheel touching and it not.

The most likely place that it is touching is on the bottom rear of the arch where there is a little flange that sometimes sticks out a lot and othere times is nicely fitted. Some minor work with a hammer can usually cure the rubbing..

[rozzer1275]

rover did not fit extra spacers to the rear when they used 165 tyres, but they are very close to the dampers, any wear or play in the rear supsension (ie radius arm or bkt) can lead to the rear wheel rubbing under cornering, having the rear 'toe in' and chamber reduced makes the wheels even closer to the dampers.

[taffy1967]

I fitted 5mm spacers and longer wheel studs when I went over to 165 tyres several years back. I got them from Mini Sport because they were selling the exact kit for this application.

But you can buy similar products from Mini Spares, although they do claim that you don't always need to fit longer wheel studs?

Edited by taffy1967, 25 January 2009 - 10:23 PM.

[mini mark]

i must be lucky i have a 1988 city e with standard steels and 165 tyres and no rubbing

mark

[taffy1967]

i must be lucky i have a 1988 city e with standard steels and 165 tyres and no rubbing

mark

Yes it only seems to affect some cars, not all.

[Andy South]

The radius arm makes sense, given when I bought this one it had noticeably less traction round corners than my previous mini (exact spec just 2 years older). I'll check this and also look again for where it's rubbing. I'll also have to check what "toe in" and chamber refer to. Many thanks, Andy.

[Andy South]

Tracked the porblem down to the inner wing, bit of hammering solved it (area on the pic where the underseal has flaked off). Radius arm seemed fine - no play in the wheel that I could fine. Much better now the rubbing's gone (can corner at 50 again!) Cheers, Andy