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Q & A: Rear Axle Swapping

Monday March 18th, 2002
Q & A, MGA, MGB, MGC, MG T-Type, Midget
John:

Wonder if you can help me.

I have a 1974 (chrome bumper) MGB GT with rostyle rims. I also have a set of minilite replica rims that I would like to install. The problem is however, that on the rear axle, there isn't enough clearance between the tire and the body edge of the wheel well.

From the back of the rostyle rim (surface that bolts onto the brake drum) to the outside surface of the tire is 2.25". this leaves a clearance of 1.5" to the wheel well.

From the back of the minilite to the outside surface of the tire is 3.75" with no clearance. ( By adding up the tolerances of the rostyle rim, you can see that mathematically there is no clearance (2.25 + 1.5 = 3.75).

My thought was to get a wire rim tube type rear axle and change the hub from wire to bolt pattern.

My questions are:

1. how much clearance will I get on each side by changing from a bolt patten rear axle to a wire rim type axle?

2. is it possible to make the change, and if so, how much work is involved?

Thanks John...hope you can help.

Tim Coyne

TIM!

The difference between an MGB ROstyle rear axle and an MGB Wire Wheel rear axle is 1 1/2 inches, side to side, overall. Swapping rear axles would only achieve a 3/4 inch inboard movement on each side -- perhaps not eno... read more