MG-Cars.net

Welcome to our resource for MG Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGB Technical - minilite style wheels

Hi all
I am thinking of changing my steel wheels (5J on 67 B Roadster) to period looking alloys (5.5J x 14). Can anyone recommend a brand they have tried. I will be fitting 175/70/14 tyres, the car is driven quite hard and used on regularity rallies with occasional track days. I am concerned about the rear wheel arch clearance, esp near side. Has anyone measured the wheel offset and if so what sort of figures are you seeing?
Thanks for any comment and information
Cheers
Graham
Graham Cherry

Graham,
I bought a set of UK produced wheels (5.5 x 14) from The Proper MG for my '63B. I installed a set of 185/70 tires on them. On one side, the tire rubbed, but on the other, I had plenty of clearance. I was given lots of advice on this message board as to what was causing the problem, but it turned out to be my old leaf springs. I installed a new set and I now have good, consistant clearance on both sides. At first, I wasn't happy to have to spend more money on the car, but after removing the springs, I realized just how bad they were. If your springs haven't been replaced already, you may run into the same problem...
Todd Alkire

I have a set of the minatour minilite replicas (think these are the ones Moss and the MGOC sell). Never had any problems with clearence, etc.
Except:

If you lower the rear and fit anything like a 195/60 tyre then you will need to fold up the inner wheel arch lip (if you feel under the wheel arch you can feel a lip from the outer wing panel. That needs bending up.

On the front you may find on full lock that the track rod end knocks the wheel balance weights (as alloys should use stick on weights not knock on). There are two solutions for this - you can buy smaller diameter track rod ends, or you get the tyre place to make sure the weights on the inside of the wheel are near the centre and not the rim.
Final problem you may have, is if you have upgraded the front anti-roll bar then on full lock there may be a small touch from inner wheel rim to the bar. Nothing major however.

Mine have also stood up well to the rigours of racing so they seem of good casting quality.

Tony
T Crossley

Graham,

Earlier cars may have less of a prob with LHR.
I use K&N with Goodyear F1 195x60x15 weighs 28lb, standard offset of 22mm.

If ever in Surrey you can try my spare.

Paul
Paul

Graham, I was running stock 14x4.5 wire wheels with 185/65 tires and no rubbing for years. I recently changed to 15x5.5 Dunlop wires with 195/60R15 tires. I was also concerned with rubbing so at the same time I replaced the rear springs and installed Superflex bushings everywhere. Even in the hardest corners I have had no problems of any kind. The only issues I see for you are A)lowering the car or B) running a taller sidewall (more flex) for the 14" wheels. If you don't lower the car I think you will be fine, especially if you do the bushings.
Steve Simmons

Graham,

Try speaking to these people. https://www.midlandwheelsshop.com/
I haven't used them personally, but I know some people in the MGOC have and seem happy with them. Also very good on price I believe (£38 for a midget wheel).

Iain
I D Cameron

Graham,

I use already 7 years 5.5Jx14 Minator Minilite replica's, (Out of the Moss catalogue) with since 1 year 185/70R14 Pirelli tires on it. Drives fine. I guess that if I'd change to 195 wide tires i'd get problems with the - left - rear fender. That said, I'm aware that after 38 years my rear springs could be in need of replacing ;-)

Bert
'66B
Bert Otten

Graham,

The 15" Minotaur wheels have quite a lot more offset, I had to remove part of the inner lip, and flare the arches slightly to get clearance, not too difficult.

Mike
Michael barnfather

Thanks for all the information guys, but I could do with knowing the offset of the Minator 5.5j x 14s to compare with the K&Ns (thanks Paul). I shall also check out Midland Wheels.
Thanks again
Graham
Graham Cherry

Graham

A bit more room on inside but not happy with this because of track width. This site has good info on weights etc

http://www.superlite-wheels.com/technical.html

Paul
Paul

This thread was discussed between 25/02/2004 and 29/02/2004

MG MGB Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGB Technical BBS is active now.