9 replies to this topic

[Matt Brighton]

Hi

 

I am considering fitting the minifin drums  that I have on the shelf that came with my car - using the  19mm universal spacers that came with it too  (elongated hole type) . 

 

Theres a fair amount of play when spacer is located on the hub and as they are not hub centric its impossible to get them dead centre when bolting the wheel up -

 

should I be concerned about them throwing the wheels off balance ??

 

Thanks

 

 

Matt - brighton

 

 

 

 

[Cooperman]

You should be concerned with the structural integrity of those spacers. They were badly regarded and not allowed for motor-sport back in the 1960's when we only had skinny 145/80 x 10 tyres. But now, with the very 'grippy' tyres they may be downright dangerous.

Spacers are not a good idea and the best option is to fit the rear drums as fitted to the Cooper 'S' and all later disc braked cars.

[Matt Brighton]

Thanks for the reply Cooperman

 

I was worried about putting them on, having never used spacers in any car I have owned in the past ..... and you have confirmed my concerns. I was also a bit worried about the weight of the car on the studs and stressing the components. 

 

I will be keeping the original drums.

 

Best

 

 

Matt - brighton

[MRA]

This type of spacer are not safe, they rely on 1 of 2 things happening:-

 

1) that you over tighten the hex nut/stud to align it

2) that you leave it loose to align it, very rarely do they tighten correctly whilst being aligned.

 

Over tightening any fixing is bad, it can lead to structural failure, under tightening can lead to fretting again bad, very bad.

[Cooperman]

Yes, in a word they really are CR4P  .

There is nothing wrong with the cast iron drums with the cast in spacer as fitted as standard to the Cooper 'S' and all cars with the 8.4" disc brakes.

Edited by Cooperman, 24 February 2016 - 08:26 PM.

[CityEPete]

It's worth purposefully over tightening a wheel nut to see how easy the studs snap off, they are like toffee! Then imagine making them really long with a grippy tyre on the end of them.

[MRA]

Thanks for the reply Cooperman

 

I was worried about putting them on, having never used spacers in any car I have owned in the past ..... and you have confirmed my concerns. I was also a bit worried about the weight of the car on the studs and stressing the components. 

 

I will be keeping the original drums.

 

Best

 

 

Matt - brighton

 

Matt it is not the drums that are bad, minifin drums are very good, it is the spacers, and not all spacers some use longer studs and are fine, with few or no issues at all.

[CityEPete]

The moment between "no issues" and a "few" issues is often very short! Lol

[Cooperman]

I have twice had a wheel come off a Mini at more than 60 mph.

The first was wheel failure on a 1960 Mini 850 Traveller which still had the original 'weak' wheels. It happened on a public road.

The second was on an international rally special stage when the new Minilite wheels had been painted on the inner face which bolts onto the hub. The huge brake heat cracked the paint & the nuts came loose & the wheel came off.

Whilst exciting it is not a good idea to do anything which risks this happening. Spacers increase this risk. 'nuff said!

[MRA]

That comes down to ultimate, no spacers is best for sure, but when absolutely required the solid type that require longer studs are good enough, the others don't even warrant a mention except to state that they are not a good idea and should have been banned 40 years ago.

 

Yes I had forgotten about those thinner steel wheels, wow they were poor, I ripped the centres out on a few occasions with standard cheapo tyres...

Edited by MRA, 24 February 2016 - 10:19 PM.