X Spoke Alloys info needed!

[Rich]

Hi all,

having discovered that the DLX needs all of 5 new tyres (well two for the MOT but the other two and the spare have seen better days), I have decided to fit the alloys I have had in storage for the last 4 or so years.

Went to my local tyre place with one of the wheels to get some prices, and nearly fell over when he said £95 each for Michalins or £65 for BF goodrich. The bloke there was more intrested in the original tyre size, to get the rolling radius size, but didnt tell me what the alloy wheel tyre size is. Can anyone tell me what the tyre size should be for a 15" X spoke alloy?

The other problem is wheel nuts, I have 12 of them, and intened to get 4 locking ones. Halfords don't seem to do them anymore, and the tyre place said they could order them, only to ring me back and say, "we can't get them for Maestros any more"! Does anyone know where to get some from, or what the size of stud is that they are going on to?

I also think I remember Simon saying that on his Mayfair, his alloys were a tight fit. As we both got our wheels from the same place, if this becomes the case, will I have the same problem, i'm not sure if the Diesel hubs are bigger.

Many thanks, Rich

[E_T_V]

Hi all,

having discovered that the DLX needs all of 5 new tyres (well two for the MOT but the other two and the spare have seen better days), I have decided to fit the alloys I have had in storage for the last 4 or so years.

Went to my local tyre place with one of the wheels to get some prices, and nearly fell over when he said £95 each for Michalins or £65 for BF goodrich. The bloke there was more intrested in the original tyre size, to get the rolling radius size, but didnt tell me what the alloy wheel tyre size is. Can anyone tell me what the tyre size should be for a 15" X spoke alloy?

The other problem is wheel nuts, I have 12 of them, and intened to get 4 locking ones. Halfords don't seem to do them anymore, and the tyre place said they could order them, only to ring me back and say, "we can't get them for Maestros any more"! Does anyone know where to get some from, or what the size of stud is that they are going on to?

I also think I remember Simon saying that on his Mayfair, his alloys were a tight fit. As we both got our wheels from the same place, if this becomes the case, will I have the same problem, i'm not sure if the Diesel hubs are bigger.

Many thanks, Rich


Try www.mytyres.co.uk as they are pretty reasonable. I believe the tyre size is either 185/55/15 for the standard 5.5 inch rims or 195/55/15 for the 6 inch ones.

The locking wheelnuts are the same as the rover 200/400 etc I think. You can usually check this out in motorfactors that have the catalogue form the manufacturer as they list seat angle and thread size. I certainly had no problems getting mine.

The tight hubs bit will depend on how many times that the wheels have been painted (this might be more than once even for new boxed items). Also before fitting them run a wire brush around the hub spigot to remove all the crud and apply a good smear of copper grease. (you'll thank me for it in a couple of year time believe me!). The hubs are all the same apart from the van ones which are stronger.

[B18 GPC]

im not faulting ure infomation there ETV , but mine are 5.5J Fitted With 195 55 15

[E_T_V]

No fault there, most are fitted with 195's as they fit ok and I think they are cheaper too. If you are willing to loose some profile you can go for 195/50/15's which are a more common size and usually cheaper too. I've got some of these on my rover (which should be 195/55/15 as well). Barums, they are cheap and grip well and aren't too noisy. 37 quid a corner if I remember right.

[SimonR]

Hi Rich,

I got Goodyear Eagle NCT5 195/55/R15 for £55 a conrner for JOE - shop around and see what you find... I got mine at a considerable discount but found them online for a similar amount.

The rears can be a little tight but that's normal. Just jam them on! That's what I had to do on both my cars. Actually Graham had to do it on JOE this year! Use a bit of copper-slip on the hubs to avoid stickage.

You shouldn't have too many probs with locking nuts (so to speak). Ive bought two sets in my time as a Maestro owner and not had a problem. The first set was from a motorfactor, the second on a little-known internet site called eBay. If I remember correctly the ones I have now are for Montego, Maestro, Rover 200/400 and some F*rds.

You have to get the correct thread and also collar round the base to hold the wheel on the car.

[mgdavid]

the correct Monty wheels are 6J x 15 (it's cast into the inner face of the wheel) and you can fit a range of tyre sizes. Go for 50 profile as these are far more popular and therefore cheaper than the original 55 profile. You should not go for a budget or unknown far eastern / eastern europe brand - you should be able to get Toyo Proxes T-1S in 195 - 50 x 15 for about £43 each, and even better discount if you are buying a whole set. Or Goodyear Eagle F-1 still for under 50 quid. NCT5 are not a patch on the F-1s.

[Maria]

Just fitted Pirelli P6000s to the Rover 400, and am very pleased with them. They weren't too pricey either from www.mytyres.co.uk. The rest of the Maestro fleet (the ones that have actually RUN in the last few years anyway!) are on Avons which have also lasted me very well and given good performance for not much cash.

[B18 GPC]

Some of the prices arnt to bad .. Seen cheeper though

[Simon]

Hi Rich, The rears were a little tight even on new Ledbury hubs, but when I changed the front hubs to Ledbury ones the wheels just popped on nicely. Always use Coppaslip to prevent seizure. This is standard procedure for alloys.

I use 195/50 x 15 for my alloys and I fitted some Avon tyres (ZV1? ZV3? can't remember as my car's been in the bodyshop since March) recently. These are "Rotational" tyres meaning you can put them on any side at any corner, and they have that all-important raised bit on the sidewall to protect your alloy wheel rim from kerbing (although your conscience should have the same effect). £60 each though but worth it for the Mayfair!

[Rich]

Thanks for all the info!

I will get some more quotes for some 195 - 50 x 15 tryes on Monday. I should shop around a bit more anyway, but now I know the size of tyre it makes it easier than hoofing an alloy wheel into the shop and saying "got any tyres to fit this mate"?

Still struggaling with the locking nuts, have asked a few people on ebay now, so am waiting to see if they get back to me with anything promasing! If I cant get the nuts for Tuesday, which is when the tyres are being fitted, as the MOT is that day, will I do any damage by putting the original steel wheel nuts on the studs I havent got alloy nuts for?

Now hoping it will stop raining, as then I can fit the new front bumper, which I have spent the last 3 nights respraying the bottom half Tempest Grey. Dam British weather!

Rich

[MGTurbo#261]

I was after the original Tri Lock wheel nuts for the Maestro and Metro X Spoke Alloys, the type with the push on stainless cover that matches the nuts. I found them on Avonbar for the Metro and ordered a set £32.00, which were very pricey :eek:
When these arrived I did some searching on the net and found Auto Inparts is the Uk distributer for the manufacturer and rang them they said they only supplied to there stockists after a bit of persuasion they sold to me with a credit card £16.99 a set


Maestro/Montego 12.5mm pn FH0/B
Metro 3/8 UNF pn HFH/B
£16.99 each set

Auto Inparts Tel 01525 382713

The actual manufacturer of them is Evo Automotive Solutions (Tel 01908 646566) of Milton Keynes, but they wont supply direct. You can however get spare stainless caps and key nuts from them ;)

[E_T_V]

Thanks for all the info!

will I do any damage by putting the original steel wheel nuts on the studs I havent got alloy nuts for?

Yes you will damage the wheels unfortunatly so don't use the steel nuts on them as you risk the nut pulling through the hole in the alloy wheel which obviously isn't a good thing!.

[SimonR]

Locking wheel nuts just found on eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4541348995&ssPageName=MERC_VI_RSII_Pr4_PcY_BIN_Stores

£20 Buy it Now.

[Rich]

Got it sorted now! Locking wheel nuts via e-bay are waiting to be fitted, tyres and wheels are on (look really good, and huge being 15"), just need to drop them off, grease everything up, and put them back! Will try and get some photos on here soon!

Rich

[Beaker]

We went into the local shop today, the y had 4 or 5 sets for a Maestro avaliable on the shelf.


For peoples information it is the same nuts for the Rover 200/400/SD1 and Triumph Acclaim

Glad you got some in the end :thumbup:

[MGJohn]

the correct Monty wheels are 6J x 15 (it's cast into the inner face of the wheel) and you can fit a range of tyre sizes. Go for 50 profile as these are far more popular and therefore cheaper than the original 55 profile. You should not go for a budget or unknown far eastern / eastern europe brand - you should be able to get Toyo Proxes T-1S in 195 - 50 x 15 for about £43 each, and even better discount if you are buying a whole set. Or Goodyear Eagle F-1 still for under 50 quid. NCT5 are not a patch on the F-1s.

Funny you should say that David. I put F1s 195/55-15 on one of my cars and NCT5s 195-50-15s on the black turbo your relative used to have. I prefer the NCT5s. However, note different profiles.

You may recall my asking what springs this car had fitted as the handling with NCT5s on 6J X-spokes I much prefer for my driving style. I found the F1s after some wear are prone to the dreaded tramlining. I'd like to reproduce that fine NCT5 handling on my other cars it's that good, but as those springs are still unidentified ... no can do.

I've fitted 50 profiles to another Turbo Montego, these being Bridgestone Potenzas. 205/50 on the rear and 195/50s on the front - 6-spoke MGFs off a friend's MGF following his alloy upgrade. This is a fine combination too. Much sharper steering. Those 205s on the rear again suit my driving style and handling preferences. Any 205s on the front I do NOT like.

My quest for better handling continues ... it's never ending ... infinite even .. :)

[mgdavid]

Ah, I was only looking at the grip aspect John - tramlining I can live with, like torque steer, it's just a matter of learning when it does it, how to counteract it, and coping with it IMO.