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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Long wheel studs

Having recently bought a set of alloy wheels for my Sprite, I am wondering if I should invest in longer wheel studs, but how long? The wheels are Minators and I have a set of domed wheel nuts, ie they are blind ended.
I can get 4 full turns on my current studs, but is that enough?

Studs are advertised as 40mm, 50mm and 80mm presumably for use with spacers so which should I choose, I will not be using spacers. But I don’t want the nuts to bottom out before I get them up to full tightness (45 lb ft?)

Bernie.
b higginson

Some say 1 x the nominal stud diameter of engagement is OK. I go for 1.5 x the nominal diameter, based on MSUK recommendations.

1.5 x 3/8" = 9/16"

At 24 TPI, that is 13.5 turns engagement.

Four is deffo not enough!

I can't remember which way round it is, but the front and rear studs are different lengths (rear probably longer?) so one can be used as longer studs on the opposite end of the car.

Malc.
Malcolm

Spridget wheel studs are 3/8" 24tpi UNF so that would be 13.5 turns for 9/16" engagement.
David Billington

You obviously spotted my mistake David but you weren't fast enough to post before I corrected it ;-)
Malcolm

Bernie, my front studs were long enough to give at least 12 turns but the rears were too short, only allowing 6 or so turns.

I've fitted 50mm studs on the rear which is fine for my Minilite Clones but not for the steel wheels as the unthreaded shank is too long. I've got round this with spacers made from standard nuts with the thread drilled out and shortened to 10mm.

C Mee

If you retain a steel wheel as the spare you will not be able to use it with the longer studs, because the threads are too short and you can't tighten the nuts. I carry a 5mm spacer for this reason.
Les Rose

I found that I could use rear studs on the front hubs, as they were longer. I used Mini studs on the rear, as they are available in various lengths. I can't remember what length I used, as it was a long time ago.
Dave O'Neill 2

the normal go is to fit the rear studs to the front
36mm-43mm-- and 50mm rears with a gain of 6mm but that's hardly enough you'll still only have about 10 turns
Really you need the 48mm mini conversion studs for the front
and use the 55mm Mini Cooper S and 84on Mini rear studs in the rear

willy
William Revit

Willy. Thanks for that. I’ll get the Mini studs. I think I might have a couple of spacers somewhere in the garage to use with a steel spare.
Bernie
b higginson

Yep, I too use a spacer on the rears if using my steel wheels.

Or if you are feeling really fancy, get some Minifin alloy brake drums. They have a thicker face so you don't need to use a spacer. (I have a pair, but don't have them fitted at the moment.)

Re: nuts... They aren't very blingy, but I use open nuts. You can then clearly see they are engaged!

https://www.rallynuts.com/wheel-studs-and-nuts/grayston-open-ended-wheel-nut-38-unf-with-17mm-hex-60-degree-seat.html

Best of luck with the swap, I hope your FWBs survive when you pull the hubs :-s

Malc.
Malcolm

I use std studs on my Sebring rep with Minilite copies. Modified the wheelnuts as shown to obtain suitable thread engagement. I carry original nuts to suit the original steel spare wheel..




Alan Anstead

I've got minilite copies too.

I'll have to count the turns on my nuts tomorrow. 😅😅
anamnesis

This thread was discussed between 10/01/2023 and 11/01/2023

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