Splined Space Saver????

Does anyone know of a space saver spare for the splined (Wire Wheel) axle?

Regards

Dave

http://www.fixaflat.com/

Sorry, couldn't help myself.

I think your right LaVerne. As my wires are tubless it should work.

I was just hoping there was a wire off an old car that would have the same fitting and be much thinner!!

David, all the MG splines are the same, so a Midget or MGA wheel would fit, but the diameter wouldn't be correct. You might try the 15" wheel from an MGA with a very small size 15" tire such as the 165 used on the VW Beetle. The specs on that tire are an OD of 25.4" and a section width of 6.5" compared with the 175 14 of the B at OD 23.7 and section of 7". You'd save a little bit of width but give up a little more than an inch of diameter room in the boot.

Thanks Bill

I should have said, I have 15" 185-65 's on at the moment.

David.

My "Garden Tractor" MGA actually has 15" high pressure space saver tires fitted to the narrow MGA 48 spoke wire wheel. That's the way it came and that's the way it still is. Here's the caveat! I have no idea what tube is in there and I've no idea if it's safe, if it's not designed for the 125x15" (I think) tire. I suppose there must be inner tubes for relatively narrow 15" motorcycle tires.

Just for the benefit of the non-gear heads here, using that Fix-A-Flat stuff is a trade off.

You might be able to get home, but you will be presented with the choice of either tossing the whole tire and wheel assembly into the trash bin, or spending hours and hours trying to get the goop off of the inner surfaces of the rim, that is if you can find someone who is willing to demount the tire.

If you use the stuff it is either a BIG MESS and lots of work or BIG EXPENSE to buy both a new tire and a new rim.

IMHO it is better to do some planning for the inevitable and keep a good spare at hand.

Jack

I agree with Jack. I wouldn't use the stuff in an auto tire.
But I have used it on some ATV tires and it saved some 20 mile hikes out of the back country.

David I think the best bet would be to find a good 13 Spridget rim and mount as low a profile tire on it you can find. That would give you the effect of the modern space savers.

I use a 48-spoke MGA wheel with a 155R15 tire. Remember that a space saver will make the car lean to one corner, which isn't very comforting or safe. It will only be good to get you to a service station at low speeds. The MGA wheel on the other hand can be driven as far as you like. This is an advantage in this day and age where some shops don't know anything about wire wheels.

Green tire goop in the automotive formulation. Not nearly as messy as fix-a-flat and can be put in tire "pre-emptively." There might be balance issues after it has been sitting a while or in stop and go traffic but it will even out at speed.
Narrow MGA or TD rim with a motorcycle tire and tube (really, it's an emergency spare, right?).

It does seem a wheel thin enough to make any difference will be a liability.

On the rare occasions that I need to use the full capacity of the boot I will have to fit the boot rack and tie the spare on and live with the obscured rear view.

When I had a motorcycle I used Ride-on tire sealant. Its designed to be put in the tire and left for the life of the tire. I didn't notice any handling changes after installing it in the tires even at 100+ mph. http://www.ride-on.com/index.asp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mid3XqDlyk

I went through this dilema with the TR8 for the trip to the Glen last year. Took a plug kit and a 12volt compressor. Luckily didn't need them. :)
In the B I have a 14" spacesaver mounted on a Rostyle. That could work on a wire providing the spokes are sealed or as Derek says, use a small tube. Someone will enevitably post about safety but these things are meant for low speed to limp to a tire shop.

DavidTetlow Wrote:

As others have said the space saver or mounting a 13" or 14" tire and rim will affect the height on the corner it gets mounted so it will be odd handling but get you home in an emergency. If you can find the tire and tube set up Derek mentions that would probably be the best balance. I can't see a 13" on one corner and 15" on the other three really working well at all.