Using a 16" five spoke wheel as a spare on the MC
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5th Gear
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 970
Likes: 1
From: Metro Washington D. C.
I had a wheel buggered when I was towed to Sterling MINI for a cooling fan problem. MINI USA (through AAA) replaced the wheel and tyre with used one that MINI of Sterling was selling. Please do not get upset, I asked for the used wheel & tyre rather than wait to have the original rim repaired. Everyone saves a few bucks and the customer, me, goes away happy.
Today I put the wheel on and attempted to place the old wheel & tire into the spare cradle. It did not work. The cradle assembly that holds the spare does not fit over the runflat.
However, I think that with a little rigging it could be made to work. I got up under the car and there might be room. The space saver tire is only an inch (or less) shorter than the runflat. There appears to be more than 3/4 an inch around the wheel. The most critical distance is near the rear suspension member, and I could not get a good view of that area. The car was on jack stands - old jack stands. The runflat may be visible from behind the car and one would lose a bit of ground clearance because of the fatter tire.
A cradle could be made with a 2x6 cut to the inside diameter of the wheel, with a long bolt in the middle. A spare tire cradle assembly would have to torn apart so the latching point cold be used. The existing bolt assembly that actually holds the wheel to the car looks strong enough to take the weight of the wheel and runflat. Anyone reading this with better mechanical knowledge, if you disagree I will listen to you. In truth the assembly inside the boot that holds the wheel up could be the weakest part of the lot. I'm sure it is strong enough for the stock spare - but the weight of the full size wheel and a runflat may be something else. I wish I had weighed both.
I thought a runflat would be ideal for a spare. I have a fifth wheel/tire now so I may play with it some more from time to time. This falls under the ... if you are out in the middle of no where and get a flat, then the spare gets a flat spare what do ya do if you can't sing the blues? Also what do you do if you are on a trip? Where do you put the flat when the car is packed?
John
Today I put the wheel on and attempted to place the old wheel & tire into the spare cradle. It did not work. The cradle assembly that holds the spare does not fit over the runflat.
However, I think that with a little rigging it could be made to work. I got up under the car and there might be room. The space saver tire is only an inch (or less) shorter than the runflat. There appears to be more than 3/4 an inch around the wheel. The most critical distance is near the rear suspension member, and I could not get a good view of that area. The car was on jack stands - old jack stands. The runflat may be visible from behind the car and one would lose a bit of ground clearance because of the fatter tire.
A cradle could be made with a 2x6 cut to the inside diameter of the wheel, with a long bolt in the middle. A spare tire cradle assembly would have to torn apart so the latching point cold be used. The existing bolt assembly that actually holds the wheel to the car looks strong enough to take the weight of the wheel and runflat. Anyone reading this with better mechanical knowledge, if you disagree I will listen to you. In truth the assembly inside the boot that holds the wheel up could be the weakest part of the lot. I'm sure it is strong enough for the stock spare - but the weight of the full size wheel and a runflat may be something else. I wish I had weighed both.
I thought a runflat would be ideal for a spare. I have a fifth wheel/tire now so I may play with it some more from time to time. This falls under the ... if you are out in the middle of no where and get a flat, then the spare gets a flat spare what do ya do if you can't sing the blues? Also what do you do if you are on a trip? Where do you put the flat when the car is packed?
John
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,343
Likes: 4
From: South Bend Indiana
Monitor air pressures religiously. Carry fix a flat, and a 12v air pump.
Pre trip checking and mantining sets you far ahead of the game.
Most carry the needed spare inside the passenger cabin.
I do not know about modifying the spare retention system.
Alex
Pre trip checking and mantining sets you far ahead of the game.
Most carry the needed spare inside the passenger cabin.
I do not know about modifying the spare retention system.
Alex
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