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MG MGB Technical - how hard is it?

Been offered a set if wire wheels and the hubs that go with them. Is it difficult to fit them to a steel wheel car? I understand that yu must change all the hubs and the rear half shafts. Anything else? Both cars are early seventies cars
P I Barnes

Are these original type wire wheels or aftermarket wire wheels. There are aftermarket wires wheels that will attach directly, but if the ones you've been offered are original, you will need to replace the entire rear axle, NOT just the halfshafts. Having said that, I'm not so sure that it isn't easier to replace the entire unit. The axle case itself is about 1-3/4" narrower on the wire wheel cars. On the front, it's easy - just bolt on the splines.

FWIW, Allen
Allen Bachelder

Thanks. The bloke selling the stuff is offering me a parts car for $200 so I think I'll take it all and change the rear axle out. Thanks
P I Barnes

Just make sure the splines are in good order. If not, you risk spinning a wheel and you will be buying all new hubs and wheels anyway. Ask me how I know this! :(
Steve Simmons

Probably the same way that I know this Steve. Fortunately, I was only going about 10 mph when I put on the brakes. The tale tale zzzzzzzzz is a little disconcerting!
Mwhitt

Smack those spinners down hard gentelmen (then buy new hubs anyway like I did).

: )

Luis
Luigi

Now that we have this settled, P.I., I have to ask the next question: "Why?"

As far as I'm concerned, wire wheels are a royal PITA. Even new ones flex more than Rostyles and what a pain to clean! Gimme a set of minilite replicas any day. Easy to clean, stronger than even Rostyles (let alone wires), very sporty looking, and in bolt-on styles (directly replacing your Rostyles), they are very reasonably priced.

I know, the "classic British sportcar" just has to have wire wheels, yada yada yada, but if you're like me and drive your MGB a LOT, show it at least occasionally, and are not particularly smitten with the idea of endless hours of detailing, you may be about to inflict uncertain hell upon yourself.

At least think about it...

FWIW,
Allen
Allen Bachelder

I agree. Minilites look way cooler. However, BC has an archaic insurance system and to qualifiy for coloctors plates and cheap insurance the car must be stock, having only factory options. This rebuild will be for sale in a couple of months and it helps the value if the new owner can get the collectors plates. My own cars, another "B" and a midget both have modern wheels!
P I Barnes

PI. Again, the question, "Why". Wire wheels were, always, an "option" not a standard fitting. In fact is, when I purchased a new 79 MGB, I do not remember being offered the option of wire wheels. (This may be because I do not remeber such, that fact that they were not offered, or the fact, having owned them in the past, I rejected them--do not remember some 27 years later.)

The two wire wheel cars I have owned,recently, have, both, been changed over to disc wheels. Significant improvements noted in the handling of both cars.

Cannot see any advantage, among enthusists, for swapping the disc type wheels for wires.

Les
Les Bengtson

According to Clausager chrome wires were fitted to the first 200 cars for North America, and painted wires were standrd on all export GTs until 1969.

Whatever the performance, chrome wires on my Black Tulip roadster look fantastic and well worth the couple of grand the conversion cost fifteen years ago, and the hour per wheel (for a full clean) ever since.
Paul Hunt 2

This thread was discussed between 04/02/2006 and 08/02/2006

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