Problem with spoke rims On BN6

[BN6_2197]

Hi,

I took a more detailed look at my car (1959 BN6) today and saw that the spoke rims at the front are tighten to the brake drums instead of the axis. This is incredible and really dangerous. Has anybody an idea how to solve this problem. Do I Need new rims or is there another way?

By the way, my car has 4.5 J x 15 H spoke rims with 165 wheels.

Thank you very much for your answers,

Volker

 

[TimK]

A photo might help to understand the problem.

 

[GregW]

I'm guessing you have 60 spoke rims?

 

[BN6_2197]

Yep, I have 60 spoke rims.

 

[BN6_2197]

TimK,

unfortunately I have no photo. To detail the problem: I would expect the rims to be tightened to the cone of the axis. I my case the rim at the front is tightened to the brake drum since the cone of the axis is too far away.

Do you have a better picture of the problem now?

Volker

 

[GregW]

Yep, I have 60 spoke rims.

Well that is the problem. Apparently those rims aren't compatible with the drum brakes on your model car. See THIS thread for more info.

Since you already have the wheels, I wonder if a spacer could be fabbed up to fit between the drum and hub to move the wheel away from the drum. Perhaps a 1/4" spacer with longer hub-to-drum bolts?

 

[BN6_2197]

GregW,

where should I put the spacer: on the cone or the 4 bolts on the axis? I this a common solution or should I get New rims the a rim offset that fits?

Volker

 

[Keoke]

I am lost here . Are these bolt on rims instead of knock offs???

 

[John Turney]

AS I understand it, the inner spokes touch the drums before the wheel tightens on the inner cone of the splined hub. Thus the wheels are loose.

I see three possible solutions:

- New, correct wire wheels.
- Replace thefront drum brakes with disc brakes.
- A third possibility is a spacer behind the splined hub to move it out enough so the spokes don't touch the drums. I have no diea how thick it would have to be or if the studs would be long enough or if the tires would be too far out and rub on the fenders. I suspect the spacer wouldn't have to be too thick, maybe ~5 mm.

 

[red57]

The options as I see it.

The 100-6 w/drum front brakes came with 48 spoke wheels & they clear the drums in the front so you can revert to stock 48 spoke wheels. or

You can buy 60 or 72 spoke wheels with enough backspace to clear the drum. or

You can install early 3000 disc brakes and will have no clearance problem with the wheels you have.

The rear drums are much narrower so not a problem.

You can't use a spacer because the front hub and splined wheel drive is one piece so no way to increase the distance from wheel to drum (although you could theoretically shim to decrease the distance from wheel to drum).

Back in the day this was fairly common when people used 60 & 72 spoke wheels - you could tell by the small grooves worn into the outer edge of the drums from spokes rubbing - I've seen a lot of them.

Dave

 

[bighealeysource]

Guten tag Volker,
Like most have said, you cannot use 60 spoke wire wheels on a BN6 as they hit the brake drum. I have a 1958 BN6 and had to use original size 48 spoke wire wheels when I went to chrome. Your simple solution is to go back to 48's. Or like Dave said above, the 60 spokers will eventually rub a groove into the brake drum up front. I personally think the 48 spoke wheels with the silver painted brake drums look great.
Regards,
Mike

 

[BN6_2197]

Guys, thank you very much for the discussion. It seems that I have to go back to 48 spoke rims. Do I have to pay attention to the rim offset, too? Do the rims have to be specific for an Austin Healey or may I also look for MG rims?

One more question: can anybody tell me the meaning of "4,5Jx15H"?

Volker

 

[BN6_2197]

Hi,

I did some more research. Is it correct that there are two types of drum brakes for a 100/6: One for spoke rims and one for steel rims where the ones for steel rims are bigger than the ones for spoke rims? This would explain that I have this problem only with the front rims and not with the rims in the back. The drum brakes in the back are smaller than the ones in the front in my car.

Volker

 

[Bob_Spidell]

60-spoke rims can be set up with more offset to accommodate front drums. Sorry, forgot the specifics (used to know), but one of the wire wheel brands (Dayton/Dunlop) either has a size that will work, or possibly either can be 'tuned' for drums.

I'd check with Hendrix Wire Wheel.

 

[longbridgehealey]

My 1957 BN4 had the same issue with the front wheels and 60 spokes. Hendrix had 60 spoke wheels that work just fine.

Larry

 

[Randy Forbes]

Triumph TR6 72 spoke wheels also fit with no issues.

I am 100% onboard with everything that Dave (red57) states, which has been my experience as well.

 

[wheelguy]

Here is what fits that is stock. You can run a 48 spoke from Dunlop or Dayton.. They both work fine. You can go with a Dayton 459 15x5 72 spoke that is made for front drum Healeys. You can go with the stock 72 spoke Dunlop 15x5 wheel.
Dunlop 72 spoke rims are made with enough offset to clear front drums.
Your 4.5J x15 number on your rim means it is a 4.5 inch wide rim and fits a 15 inch tire. You will not get your 60 spokers you got now to work with out adding spacers on the front. To run them as they are is risking your life.. Wheelguy

 

[wheelguy]

To clear this up more.... Wheel spacers will NOT work.. because the hubs are mounted on the inside of the front drums.. not the outside. Sooo.. forget the spacers and get wheels that work or convert to front disc. Wheelguy

 

[BN6_2197]

Guys, thank you very much for all the rim suggestions, but what do you think about my theory that I have brake drums for steel wheels in the front instead of drums for spoke rims as I stated a few replies before? Volker

 

[wheelguy]

The EASY and cheapest way out. Get you a pair of used 48 spoke rims . Put your front tires on them and put them on the front. Leave the rear as is. wheelguy