MG-Cars.info

Welcome to our Site for MG, Triumph and Austin-Healey Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Spare Wheel Clamp

Just acquired a spare wheel clamp for wire wheels alledgedly, but it seems too short. It measures 6" from the flange to end of stud, is this the right length to suit wires?
Andy Potter

Mmmm. There are books with this sort of information in but not that specific information. However, since I have 5.25 for bolt on wheels I'd guess that 6" is the correct size. You might find the problem is you have a wider than standard tyre on the rim. I have the MGB bolt on wheel clamp at 6 3/8in and the MGB wire wheel at 7in.
Daniel Stapleton

er, that was from me! It came out of the boot of a wire wheel car so should be OK! One possibility is if your boot floor has been pushed down against the tank by a PO's heavy load. Another thought - do you have the correct threaded fitting on the boot floor? It stands up a good inch from floor level, see pic. And a good point Daniel makes about oversize tyres. If unresolved, refund available, no problem.

David Smith

Thanks Daniel, I think another 1/2" would make it fit. I have re shelled the car but I wouldn't think the tapped bracket differs. I'll check the tyre size later.
Andy Potter

David, I'll have better look tomorrow for any distortion on the boot floor, to be honest it wouldn't be the first discrepancy on the heritage shell. Thanks for the refund offer.
Andy Potter

Checked out the boot floor and everything is fine. Upon more accurate measurement I found the stud only needed to be 1/4" longer to engage the thread, the wheel is fitted with 155 tyres BTW (Is 145 standard?). To make the clamp fit I deflated tyre a slightly and fitted the clamp then inflated tyre to correct pressure. I can still turn the clamp by hand to remove the wheel and if used the one going back in at the roadside will be flat anyway! Any danger of damaging the wheel by doing this?
Andy Potter

yes, 145s are standard. IIRC Rostyles are 4 1/2" whereas wires are 4" rims so 155s will be prone to bulge on the sidewalls a bit more, I think that's the cause. Anyway your cure sounds like a plan... glad you sorted it.
David Smith

as long as you keep a reasonable pressure in the spare wheel and allow for it might go down so as always check the pressure of your spare occasional (same as with any)

sidewalls uprightness varies from make and model of trye as well as size to rim

info on tyres fitted as standard is in, yeap, the Driver's Handbook (3 1/2" rim on hubcap wheels IIRC without looking at DH)
Nigel Atkins

This thread was discussed between 25/04/2013 and 27/04/2013

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

This thread is from the archives. Join the live MG Midget and Sprite Technical BBS now