13 replies to this topic

[biggles1293]

Mini Cooper 1993 13" wheels

I have tried a search on this but not found anything that answers my question really

When I first bought my mini it had a set of spacers on the rear that made the wheels sit nice and flush with the edge of the rear arches, I thought it looked pretty cool as it matched the front - I took it to a Mini specialist to have the radius arms changed as one was stuck fast and couldn't get it off - He advised to get rid of the spacers as they put unecassary strain and premature wear on the radius arms and rear suspension. Is this the case or can rear spacers be fitted with no real negative effect? Cheers for reading

[lrostoke]

Can only speak from experience on this.

Sisters got spaced drums with 1" spacers as well running 12" rims.

Had this setup for 3 yrs covered probably 30,000 miles radius arms and bearings all fine.

[Ethel]

Rover fitted spacers. He might have a bit of an argument if you were heavily offsetting the wheels but with 175/50/13's you will just be restoring the clearance between the radius arm & tyre on the inside.

[biggles1293]

Rover fitted spacers. He might have a bit of an argument if you were heavily offsetting the wheels but with 175/50/13's you will just be restoring the clearance between the radius arm & tyre on the inside.

Thanks guys, i'll guess i'll buy some more, mind you have no idea what size they were! If I remember correctly they seemed quite wide!

[Ethel]

They are probably genuine Rover ones as the holes on most others are too big to get stuck, but all you should need to do is knock the wheel studs through in to the hub. 3/8" or 10mm should do it. Be sure the studs are long enough if they were swapped.

[biggles1293]

They are probably genuine Rover ones as the holes on most others are too big to get stuck, but all you should need to do is knock the wheel studs through in to the hub. 3/8" or 10mm should do it. Be sure the studs are long enough if they were swapped.

So by that do you mean I have to buy new studs? I think the ones that were on there were screwed into the back of the spacers with threads facing out to be then screwed into the hubs, and then the wheels fixed onto the studs, does that make sense??!

Edited by biggles1293, 01 February 2010 - 03:24 PM.

[Ethel]

It does, bit of a nasty botch imho, Minispares do a set of extra long studs and spacers in various widths. Don't go OTT, perhaps 1/2 inch at most, there's already an inch in the brake drums.

[biggles1293]

It does, bit of a nasty botch imho, Minispares do a set of extra long studs and spacers in various widths. Don't go OTT, perhaps 1/2 inch at most, there's already an inch in the brake drums.

Thanks Ethel you have been most helpful!

[Bungle]

if you fit spacers to the hub for clearance thats fine (tyres to shocks ETC) but fitting them just to make your wheels stick out puts more strain on bearings (hub and radius arms)

[Dan]

Rover used a 6mm spacer with 13" rims. Don't use stud extension spacers, they are horribly dangerous and just generally bad engineering. Use longer studs. Minis are meant to have a wider track at the front, if you match the front and rear track they don't drive as well at all.

[R1minimagic]

The Rover ones are 8mm on the back of Sportspack.

[biggles1293]

if you fit spacers to the hub for clearance thats fine (tyres to shocks ETC) but fitting them just to make your wheels stick out puts more strain on bearings (hub and radius arms)

Excuse my ignorance here, but what is the difference between fitting them for the reason of clearance and the reason of having the wheels flush with the arches? If fitting them to get the wheels flush puts strain on the bearings and hub and radius arms, would it not do the same for the purpose of gaining clearance too?

[Bungle]

if it's for clearance your not pushing the wheel out your just making up for the wrong off set on the wheels

[biggles1293]

if it's for clearance your not pushing the wheel out your just making up for the wrong off set on the wheels

Ah ha! You see, I knew there would be a simple explanation, thanks very much, it's nice to get a straight answer from someone with more knowledge on this subject than myself that isn't sarcastic, much appreciated!