10 replies to this topic

[mikesu]

Enlarging the wheel well for 12" wheels

Clubman Estate
1980
Our Clubman estate comes (to us) with 12" black alloys which won't fit in the wheel well under the rear floor. This seems to have been made for 10" wheels.
I think it is possible to cut out the bottom of the well and weld in a strip of metal to take the bottom down far enough to get a 6.5" width tyre under the cross beam without fouling the rear sub frame - just. Before I start cutting though, has anyone actually done this? [We have so many holes to be filled with repair panels that this seems to be a minor problem, but it would stop the spare wheel flying about in the back of the car.]

Thanks in advance for any comments.

Mike

[Dan]

All Mini spare wheel wells are the same size. The width of the tyre and wheel is not related to the rim diameter. What size tyre is fitted? 6.5" is not a tyre size, although it is a mighty fat rim compared to the standard wheel that the well is designed for. Before you do this (which I personally can't see a specific problem with by the way) check for exhaust clearance. You could always use a space saver spare.

[Grayedout]

CER

[pogie]

Enlarging the wheel well for 12" wheels

Clubman Estate
1980
Our Clubman estate comes (to us) with 12" black alloys which won't fit in the wheel well under the rear floor. This seems to have been made for 10" wheels.
I think it is possible to cut out the bottom of the well and weld in a strip of metal to take the bottom down far enough to get a 6.5" width tyre under the cross beam without fouling the rear sub frame - just. Before I start cutting though, has anyone actually done this? [We have so many holes to be filled with repair panels that this seems to be a minor problem, but it would stop the spare wheel flying about in the back of the car.]

Thanks in advance for any comments.

Mike

It could be done as you described, just make sure there is enough space for the fuel tank and the exhaust backbox before you start cutting.

Edited by pogie, 02 September 2008 - 06:39 AM.

[rozzer!]

i run a standard steel as a spare but with a 165 tyre, its a tight squeeze but it goes in.

[WiredbyWilson]

i have just got a standrd 145 spare to get me home Althought I did toy with the idea of a 165 spare but found the same problemt you have.

i refurbed a wheel so it is nice and smart in the event i ever had to use it

[mikesu]

Thanks to you all for the comments.

The tyres are 155/70R and are 6.5" wide. The current clearance under the floor support is a bare 6".

I had forgotten about the exhaust - will have to offer that up and check!

The fuel tank is behind the subframe so that's not an issue - so long as we don't get in the way of the fixing bolts.

Thanks also to "grayedout" for the link to the Clubman Estate Register - something else to join!

I'll post some pics when we (my 15 yr old grandson [whose car it is] & I) get the job done - just don't hold your breath!

[minislapper]

Make sure you join us on the CER forum. And please make sure your estate is registered (or Aunty Liz will be very cross!!!!)

Rather than chopping the car to bits, why not adjust the boot board? Rather than laying completely slat mine stands proud by about an inch. It covers the wheel and still fits where the stand 'flat' board goes. No butchering of the car needed! Can get pictures later if you wish?

[jayare]

You would still need to increase the distance between the bottom of the spare wheel well and the cross-member. I run 165/70x10's on my estate but have a 145/10 on a standard steel for a spare. As the standard steel spare doesn't fit over the 4-pots on the front, I have to do a swap-round effort if I need to change the front wheel. In over 4 years I have only needed to use it once. Typically it was a front wheel and I had to put the spare on the back and move the back wheel to the front on the hard-shoulder of the M1, which wasn't my favourite Mini experience!

JR

[fatmini]

dont bother just stand the wheel up against the petrol tank u,u can even do it with 13"

[minislapper]

dont bother just stand the wheel up against the petrol tank u,u can even do it with 13"

Erm, we're talking about estates!!