Superlite 13x5.5 wheel doesn't fit

[ncbugeye]

I have just tried to install the new Superlite wheels on ncbugeye, 13" by 5.5" with 175/70 R13 tyres. It is important to recognise (with hindsight) that she has the front disc assembly from a 1974 Midget installed, so she is not a standard Bugeye.

When I installed the wheel it fouled the top of the stud on the track rod end, and definitely will not work like this. Is there anything I can do, or do I have the wrong wheels. At first sight, if I were to take a hacksaw to the stud and cut it down to flush with the top of the nut, it might work. But after thinking about it, this might be a bad idea.

The rear wheels install OK with about 1/3 inch gap between the inside of the rubber and the leaf springs. This would seem to me to be enough, but others may differ.

Suggestions, comments? Hap, if you are online, can you comment?

 

[PeterC]

Everyone I know have filed the tie rod end nut. Especially the castellated ones.

File away!

Peter C.

 

[Speedy_Pete]

Is the 13x5.5 the same size they fitted to the end of line Sport Pack Minis? If so, on those they had to fit big ol' flared arches to cover them, presumably they had spacers on to clear all the gubbins and still let them turn.

 

[Hap Waldrop]

You'll probably need some wheel spacer, Winners Circle has them. My only experience with 13 x5.5 is the LP race car, in fact you got a set from the race car, on the race car because of the flares and the rules allow an increase track, I ran 1" wheel spacer with the long 7/16" wheel studs, you won't need that much spacer, but Winner Circle has them in alot of sizes up to 1"

 

[healeyboz]

I cut mine off and did not have to cut into the nut at all. It all clears by almost 1/4 of an inch. It will not hurt anything because the nut is already on there. If, someday, you need to replace the tie rod end, the nut should re-thread what it needs to come off just fine.

Or, you can buy the spacers that Hap is talking about.

 

[ncbugeye]

Boz,

So does your 59 Bugeye 1275 include the front disc assemblies from the donor car as well? If so we have a more or less similar configuration and should stay in touch.

Are the track rod end studs hardened, i.e. do I need anything other than a standard Stanley hacksaw? I am not afraid of a hacksaw at all, just checking.

The other thing I was surprised about is that the weight is about the same, ie comparing standard Bugeye 4" steel rims and 145/13 tyres with the Superlite 13x5.5 alloy rims and Michelin 175/70R13 tyres.

But wowsers, do they look cool or what...!

 

[healeyboz]

Yes they do--they look great!

I do have the front disk set-up from a donor. I used a pneumatic cut off wheel for the two of mine. And then dabbed a bit of paint on the cut to help resist the temptation to rust. I think you should be able to use a hack saw, but it will of course take awhile--and take a bit more care not to get into the nut.

 

[ncbugeye]

I think I'm going to go for it, with the assumption that I can just replace the track rod ends with a new pair and fit spacers if it doesn't work out.

The tyre installer put the balancing weights in just the wrong place on the inside, so they had to come off. Once I get the wheel installed I'll get them rebalanced.

 

[Billm]

Chris
Harbor Freight sells a cheap electric grinder for less that $18.00 and they are great for cutting off bolts. I think that they are worth the money just to have around for such problems.
Bill

 

[healeyboz]

/bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/iagree.gif

 

[ncbugeye]

OK, so I am now the owner of a nice Makita grinder. The job took 10 minutes.

Tadaaaa, and here is a pic of ncbugeye with shortened track rod arm studs and her new Aussie SuperLite wheels. Hot stuff...

 

[bugimike]

I'm jealous Chris! She looks great!! I would have recommended purchasing a Dremell tool to do the job. In the long run it offers so much more versatility around the garage than a single-purpose tool!! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif

 

[jlaird]

Ahh yes, Miss Agathas friend for sure. Put a whole new light on the front rubber and glass and socket. Like 30 bucks.

 

[drooartz]

Very nice, Chris. I really like those wheels.

 

[healeyboz]

Looks good Chris. Weird how all of 'em have to be cut, huh?

 

[kcbugeye1275]

Mon. the seventh in KC Two dys of rain, aprox. 5 inches and I'm jealous of the sunshine and stunned by your beauty. Good going Chris.

 

[Hap Waldrop]

You can get cut off disc for the hand grinders, I buy all my hand grinder disc at HF, grinding disc, the flap paper disc and cutting disc, they by far have the best prices on the disc.

 

[racingenglishcars]

What is HF? I have to pay 25 DKr ($4.57) for them and that's discount.

 

[drooartz]

HF = Harbor Freight, a US based cheap tool and bits store.

 

[jlaird]

All the stuff from China but some is OK and some is so cheep you can consider them throw aways. A few uses and gone. But that is mostly OK for us home guys.

Look on the Web for them to get an idea.