MG-Cars.info

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

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 MGB Technical - Disc wheels to wire

I have a 72 MGB, when I bought it last spring he came with disk and wire rims. The disc wheels were on it. This year I'm looking to swap them out and put the wire rims on. Do I need to switch out the axle shaft? A couple of articles I read made no mention of this, but looking at the repair manual, it appears there are two different axle shafts pending which set of rims you have. Anyone have any knowledge of going from disk rims to the wire rims.
TRH Hammond

Yes - you need to change the front hubs and the whole rear axle - the wire wheel axle is narrower than the steel wheel one by a few inches.

You can buy an adapter kit that bolts onto the old rear axle but that places the tyres perilously close to the wheel arches.

Before even thinking about the swap have the wire wheels checked for wear in the splines, loose spokes and trueness.

Be also aware that wires are prone to damage from kerbing and potholes.
Chris at Octarine Services

OR acquire some bolt on wires rather than all the expense of a splined wire conversion.
Allan Reeling

How do I know if I have a conversion kit? Two uof the wire rims have what looks like a big disc brake attached. I don't see the splineds on those two rims, just bearings.
TRH Hammond

The disc brake is bolted to the wire wheel hub. It sounds like you have the hub, complete with disc, still attached to the wheel.

The wire wheel hub also has the bearing in it.

As has been said, you really need to get the correct wire wheel rear axle (complete), or some bolt-on conversion hubs for the rear.
Dave O'Neill 2

Oh well....Guess this will be next year's budgeted project. Thanks for the direction, glad I asked before purchasing the rubber bands, tubes and tires.
TRH Hammond

Usually, owners are going from wire wheels to disc wheels for the simplicity. Check around. You should easily find someone that's doing just the opposite of what you're doing. It could well end up costing you nothing at all. RAY
small

"Usually, owners are going from wire wheels to disc wheels for the simplicity."

I'm thinking of doing that, myself. I need to find an early GT steel wheel to make up a set - two would give me a spare.
Dave O'Neill 2

I can vouch for what Chris says - I used a conversion kit on my CB and the near-side tyres rubbed the arch badly when cornering fully laden. Eventually I replaced the axle, as the conversion hubs only go part-way to compensating for the different wheel offset of wires. You also need the shorter handbrake cable.

Not a problem with rubber bumper cars due to the higher ride-height - as originally built anyway - the arch lifts over the edge of the tyre.
paulh4

This thread was discussed between 13/04/2017 and 14/04/2017

MG MGB Technical index

This thread is from the archives. Join the live MG MGB Technical BBS now