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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Minator wheel tyre size

My 1971 midget is fitted with Minator wheels with K&N, 13J, Made in UK, SCP markings on. I get an occasional "rub" from the nearside rear when the suspension is loaded and on corners. It is fitted with 165/70/13 tyres. What is the suggested size to change to to eradicate this, and the suggested brand for fairly gentle road use please?

Colin
C Martin

There’s already a thread running about tyres see – Best tyres for sprite/midget

For tyres/wheels info, see –

http://www.carbibles.com/tyre_bible.html

http://www.carbibles.com/tyre_bible_pg4.html

Tyre size calculator - http://www.kouki.co.uk/utilities/visual-tyre-size-calculator
Nigel At

you don't say perhaps the most important piece of information - what's the rim width of your wheels?
David Smith

I do not know the rim width, I guess thats the question I am asking as knowing that will point me in the right direction !!
I now know the J refers to the shape of the rim.

Colin
C Martin

Those ones are 5".
Paul Walbran

Minators come in more than one width - could be 5.5"?
David Smith

Colin-
No need to buy new tires. A Panhard Rod will keep the body from swaying into the sidewalls of your tires. Frontline and Peter May can sell you one, and even install it if you don't want to do it yourself.
Stephen Strange

Thanks all, it looks like my wheels are 5" or maybe 5.5". I think I will replace my tyres with 155 width as although not really worn they are getting on a bit. (My son also refers to them as "ditchfinders".)
The panhard rod sounds tempting but I think my nearside is just too close to the wheel compared to the offside. I assume its down to manfacturing/fitting tolerances?

Colin
C Martin

A hydraulic bottle jack might be your best friend. Remove the wheel and place the bottle jack horizontally and use a small block of wood on the inside of the fender well and the inside of the edge of the wheel well area you want to push out. Go easily ...you can easily gain an additional 3/8 to 1/2" more clearance on the wheel well.
J. Blow

165's panhardrod and the occasional sound of tyre wheelarch contact.
I has never given me any trouble because the rest of the tyre wears out before the side gets any where near worn
Onno Könemann

not worn but getting on a bit tyres - I agree with your son,

you will notice the improvement with a set of new tyres, a lot, the more the quicker you go

take it easy to start with on new tyres and check the pressures they put in them at the tyre place

I've put links on my previous post for tyre size calculator

enjoy the improved grip
Nigel At

Colin,

Like yourself, I've got 5J Minators and 165 x 13 x 70 tyres, but on the other hand I do have a panhard rod fitted. My wheelarches like yours were unequal with more clearance on one side than on the other. However with an adjustable panhard rod the body can be moved in relation to the axle so that the clearance between the wheels and the wheelarches can be equalized.

Onno has it right, the occasional sound of tyre contact is acceptable (only happens in my case when I have a passenger)

Dave
D MATTHEWS

Dave we don't know if they are 5"
Nigel At

This thread was discussed between 08/08/2011 and 10/08/2011

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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