16 replies to this topic

[brivinci]

I've search a bit and have not come up with much. More of a general question I guess but it's for an injection car with late rover 12". Currently running 3/4" spacer with extended studs (not the adapter types) and looking to go down to 1/2" BUT tired of the generic spacers everyone sells. They wobble on the studs, allowing them to be off center once tightened. Doesn't anyone make a true 4x101.6 specific wheels spacer??

[Ethel]

I drilled extra holes between the existing holes, using a brake drum as a jig, in  some of these

[Fast Ivan]

The genuine rover ones for the rear on the sports pack models are holes on the correct pcd. They're 8mm

[brivinci]

That would be perfect but looking for 1/2" spacers. Going to look into them though.

[brivinci]

I drilled extra holes between the existing holes, using a brake drum as a jig, in  some of these

Those are what I have but in 3/4". Maybe I'll end up having to do what you did. Just have to be VERY accurate.

[Ethel]

You'll want a little bit of slack so you can get them off. Drill them one at a time and you can bolt the spacer to the drum to improve accuracy.

[nicklouse]

Thought about taking your 3/4 ones to a machine shop?

[brivinci]

I have thought about turning mine down to 1/2" and while they are doing it they can drill the new holes. Have to double check to see what the back of the spacers look like. A lot of them are hollow where the studs don't go through

[nicklouse]

Or just ask them how much to make some.

[brivinci]

I was really hoping there would be some available out in the market. Seems strange that there aren't really, what with all the wheel combos and minis out there.

[nicklouse]

Spacers are the work of the devil.

And people still buy them.

[brivinci]

I know, I know!!! Its not an idea situation. Little background: This car is a Monte Carlo LE. One of the those "LE" items are the painted Rover Mini-lite wheels. I bought the car from W&P and it was fitted with their painted flares. In order to get the car to "look" right, spacers were needed as I really do want to fit aftermarket wheels to it but am ok with the flares as W&P is as classic as the Mini itself. So, there I am.

 

Counter story, I am thinking of fitting a set of factory plastic arches to it. I have a brand new set of painted one (in Mini 30 maroon) sitting in the shop, still in their packaging. Obviously I would get them painted to match. Nice thing is that I the W&P flares cover the factory holes so I can switch back with no ill effects. If I fit the originals on again, I could (nearly) do away with the spacers all together. I fitted one to my car the other day to see and I think spacers are still needed to "fill" the arches but not the 3/4" ones that I currently have on there.

 

Nick, as your car looks WIDE, can I ask what you did? Obviously wider wheels with more offset but what about the actual suspension? Have you got longer arms?

[brivinci]

Came up with a solution as my machinist said he couldn't do them. I bought a section of 5/8th OD, 3/8th ID fuel line. It fits nice and snug in the studs. I cut pieces that were a bit shorter then the actual spacer and slid them on. Now the spacer fits very tight to very centered. You have to apply a tiny bit of force which is perfect as they don't fall off when removing wheel now.

After I remove the W&P flares and fit the Rover ones, I am going to have these spacers turned down a bit to match the flares and help bring things back in a bit.

[brivinci]

Came up with a better solution...I am ditching the spacers all together!!! Going to revert back to factory Rover flares (painted) and no spacers. Well, maybe some in the rears if my 165 section tires are too close to the shocks but that will only be around 5mm or so.

[brivinci]

Wanted to write a follow up to this. As you might have seen in my other post, I finally refit the stock Rover flares and ditched the W&P's. In doing this, I also reverted back to a stock track width. Because I was running such wide spacers, I needed new, shorter, wheel studs all around. As a few of my studs at the rear were loose when the wheel was off, I decided to replace the both hubs, new bearings, and drums and shoes (might as well as they would need it soon enough). For the rear, I went with the Cooper's "handling package" 5mm spacers to be sure there would be no rubbing with the 165 section tires. Got the kit from Mini Sport. They are a perfect fit to the stud. On the front I replaced the studs with standard length ones.

 

I can't even begin to tell you all what a difference this has made to the car handling. The steering is soooo much lighter. Its amazing the difference. Those ridiculous 3/4" spacers up front were literally ruining this poor car. Drove it in my usual aggressive manner to the office today and it was a dream. Spacers are for the birds...or as Upinforth wrote, "Spacers are the work of the devil." Cant agree more.