Vixen Wheels

[Over50]

Hi All,

We are talking Vixen S3 1972, bog standard.
Yes I know wheels have been covered many times, but I have never seen much specific data, and I do need help/ explanation.
Believe it or not I have a set of Comp ML and Minilites Both 15 x 6J, both sold for Vixens. The 5.5J standard finned wheels on the car have a backspace of 75mm, MLs measure at 94mm and Minilites at 98mm.
The Minilite rims will not even bolt on the rear drum without fouling the pivotbar. MLs bolt on with approx 5mm clearance but with a tyre on would foul the pivotbar.
Now I know moving from 5.5J to 6J needs more backspace but I am seeing the need for 10 to 15mm spacers on rims I am assured will fit without spacers or longer studs.
Come on Guys, tell me what I'm missing. As usual an easy job is turning into a pain in the butt.

Dave

[Over50]

Thanks Neil,

The Minilites I have are from Tec Del and sold as Vixens, no spacers or longer studs required.
How much needs to be allowed for tyre bulge, 195/65/R15.
What about fronts, are spacers require to maintain track width.
Appreciate your response.

Dave

[Adrian@]

Neil, is it possible to change to pull though studs without stripping the Vixen flange off the upright then.
Adrian@

Edited by Adrian@ on Wednesday 8th September 12:47

[Over50]

I have spoken to Tel Del and no hesitation in taking the wheels back.

My studs are 40mm 7/16 UNF but look like pull throughs. To change them all to longer ones is quite a task and looks to be a strip down job. Also I'm not a fan of spacers and would prefer to go the route of correct backspacing.
Some of these measurments are tricky to make, plus the added complication of nearside being different to offside.

There is a strong argument for keeping to OE but we like a challenge don't we!!

[Monkeythree]

I did a long wheel stud conversion a couple of years ago to enable the fitment of 5 spoke Revolution wheels with 6J width (can't remember the offset). From memory I don't believe there is sufficient clearance to change the studs without first removing the hub flange. Also need to drill the flange accurately which would be difficult on the car. My hubs were siezed onto the quill shafts so I took the opportunity to strip everything down and rebuild the complete upright assemblies with new bearings and solid spacers in place of the squash tubes
I needed 13mm spacers to give some dynamic clearance to the pivot bar (205/60R15 tyres)

Tom

[Over50]

Just an update for those with a wheel fetish.

I have been to discuss fitment with both Compomotive and Tech Del. Both say that on 15 x 6J they are limited to what they can machine by the blanks they buy in. The bottom line is both will require spacers on a standard Vixen, by my measurements and in my opinion, if trashing tyres is to be avoided.

So, the solution for those not keen on spacers is......You've guessed it,
Mr. Venn's uprights with the little extra. A project for the winter months me thinks.

Dave.

PS. Neil was absoltely right, Vixen studs 7/16 UNF 40mm SCREW IN.

[Adrian@]

Dave,
The upright was designed around the Compomotive ML.
Adrian@

[Slow M]

Over50... said:

I have been to discuss fitment with both Compomotive and Tech Del. Both say that on 15 x 6J they are limited to what they can machine by the blanks they buy in...

I hope you're misquoting them both by writing "blanks they buy in." I can't believe they don't use their own forgings. Are they even forgings or are they merely cast? Panasport wheels continue to be a very high quality option.

B.

[Over50]

Didn't mean to mislead, just a slip of the keyboard. I believe the blanks are cast in their own foundry.

Dave