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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Midget wire to minilite wheels

Well, its decision time on the next stage of rebuild on the 67 midge. do i keep the wires or opt for new minilites.
Question is, if i was to change, what alterations will need to be done in order for the new mini's to fit OK in the arches, and could i keep the original axle. is there a kit for the total swap or is it just a matter of sourcing new hubs for the minilites.
all ideas much appreciated.
Steve

Steve.

You can get knock-on adaptors for Minilite (type) wheels but hell they are heavy and in my opinion NOT worth the cost and effort.

If you decide to go from Wire wheels to Alloys, you will need to replace the entire rear axle, front hubs and discs. You should find the bits easy enough to buy as there are still plenty about.

My own thought would be to stick with the Wires unless of course you are going to compete or use it for track days.

Mark.
Mark T. Boldry

Depends on what method of fitting the wires was used in the first place!
If you have bolt on hub adaptors, then you just remove them and fit steels/alloys. If however you have the complete factory set up then you will need new front hubs,disks and bearings plus a complete steel wheel rear axle.
I've just done mine, luckily I only needed to change the front end as I had adaptors on the rear, so no new axle needed.
I must admit that I far prfer the minilites, stronger, lighter, wider and far easier to look after.
Graham.
Graham Prosser

thanks guys, advice from fellow enthusiasts is invaluable. i think i'll gamble for the swap, just need a replacement axle.
thanks again
Steve
S Chapman

Steve

I can probably help you out with some parts

midgetbitz (at) gmail (dot) com

Dave
Dave O'Neill 2

I've decided to swap the wires off my arkley and go for bolt on wheels too.

I swapped the front hubs today and will do the rear axle soon, but it needs some welding to the bump stops first.

I decided to swap them for the fact of that I can't be bothered with the cleaning and checking over the wires on 2 cars, and I intend to put a good engine in the arkley and drive it hard. So I will look for some 6j wheels soon.

As for my wires, well they were banded wires with 185 tyres on and looked dead good, but need some refurbing. They will probably end up on evil ebay.

So Steve, my opinion would be to keep them if you like the look (I converted my 64 midget to wires as I thought that they looked better), but if you want to drive it hard and reguarly, fit alloys.

John


John Collins

John.

Finished the Kitchen then.....? lol

Mark.
Mark T. Boldry

I bought a wire wheel Midget with Minilites that had bolt in wire wheel center sections. Regular wire wheels were a direct swap. No alterations required. They are a bit expensive, though.
J Bubela

Steve. Have you considered going for knock-on minilites? The MGOC sell them...
http://www.mgocaccessories.co.uk/acatalog/MGOC_Accessories__Centre_Lock_Alloys_75.html

pretty expensive though
graeme jackson

Guys, Guys, Guys,
why is it that when you think you've made your mind up. someone else will make you ponder again?
its fantastic to know that there are so many views on the matter of which wheels.
i am going to stay with the wires and have the option of the minilites with knock-ons.
until tomorrow of course. when i'll probably change my mind again.Ha Ha

thanks for all
Steve
S Chapman

Steve I am on wire wheels and decided to have a set of minilite knockoffs as well. It is a good choice. However I am not sure if the Owners club wheels are minilites or simply a cheaper version with a club motif popped on. I was fortunate enough after years of searching to find an almost brand new set of real centre lock minilites at a reasonable buy it now price on ebay.

They are very hard to find second hand but occassionally do surface.
Bob (robert) Midget Turbo

This is what they look like on (or are they 14"?) Spotted at Gaydon.


Matt 1275 Bucks

If any of you are interested, my wire wheel hubs are knackered, and I need to replace them.

If you want to sell your hubs (and indeed wheels), then let me know.

Nigel
N K Baker

I saw that Matt

nice car
Bill

Performance Superlite is marketing a new design knock on alloy that has a much cleaner center hub design and is supposed to be about a kilo lighter per wheel as well. http://www.superlitewheels.com/superlite_spline.asp#



Bill Young

This thread was discussed between 21/06/2008 and 24/06/2008

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG Midget and Sprite Technical BBS is active now.