Hello all;

At MTTS at Road America, I heard a conversation about putting a spacer in between the Aluminum Wheel and the Cast Iron Hub to keep them from "welding" together. What's this all about? What's involved with getting the spacer? From where? New Bolts?

I'm new to Mini, so I truly would like the facts and not end up with Wheels welded to hubs and issues when it's time to change the tire!!

 

All it is a "wax type" paper that breaks the contact between the wheel and hub. A light coat of antiseize will do the same- people will buy the discs for a no mess install.

 

or just rotate your tires every 3-5K and not worry about wax paper or anti-seize. The whole wheel, rotor, hub system is a tight fit and if the wheel and rotor are clean when the wheels are put on with the bolts/nuts at the right TQ you shouldn't have an issue.

 

And you actually will decrease the effective load of the wheels by adding anti-seize or spacers. Most of the load carried by the wheel is actually from the friction between the hub and wheel and not the lugs/bolts.