Wheel problem

[Digitac]

Hello everyone. I've got a problem that I'm hoping one of you can help me with. My dad an I are building a teardrop to pull behind my 2001 Miata and when we were planning it out we figured we'd get some wheels to match the car. Seemed like a really good idea at the time so we took into account everything we could. We accounted for the wheel width (6.5-7 inches), size (16), offset (40mm), bold pattern (4x100mm or 4x4inches), travel, clearance, etc. and I ordered the axle.

I pick up the problem and immediately realize I have a problem. The axle is exactly what I ordered but not what I expected. As you all probably know (and I didn't), trailer spindles and hubs are completely different from the ones on cars. So I've got these huge spindles sticking out 4 inches or so from the hub face (as opposed to short caps on the car) and no possible way to put matching wheels over them. In fact, as it turns out, there aren't any wheels with that bolt pattern and size, much less offset, and certainly not design.

So there's my problem. I could exchange the hubs for a different bolt pattern but I can't take back the custom-made torsen axle. So what I'm hoping someone here knows is what bolt pattern do I need to fit wheels that are 16x6.5 or 7 and will accommodate the spindle? And how do I shop for wheels that will fit the spindles? I've seen trailers out there with matching wheels so I know someone can do it, I just don't want to get the wrong thing a second time! (what I'd really like to do is put car spindles and hubs on that axle...). Any suggestions or advice would be welcome. Thanks in advance,

::Digitac

[TonyCooper]

Can't help with the wheel problem, but I am over 50% complete building my tear to be pulled with my 93LE miata. I'm running 14x6 factory BBS rims and I've considered buying a pair for the tear. I have not checked into the specifics yet, but will shortly.

On another front, I just had my hitch made and its a very nice piece. Completely hidden when not in use.



My build site is below my sig and has a few pics of my 93 LE towing rig!

[ALAN GEDDES]

See if this helps at all. www.mrt-wheels.com/boltpatternref.html

[Jiminsav]

please explain a little better..you say you have 4 inches sticking out from the hub face..thats not how i remember hubs..hubs are what you bolt the rim too..i think your talking about the spindle itself, which is what the hub is mounted on..once the hubs are on the spindle, you have a nut and a wash sticking out just like on the front wheels of your car.

[KZ76017]

I just bought Torsion Axle Stubs for mine and when I went to buy wheels I wound up with the wrong ones the first time and had to go back with the whole thing. Turns out that on my 5 lug - 4 1/2" hubs I had to use ford wheels as they were the only ones that would fit.

Take your whole axle with you when you go to buy the wheels, that's the only way you will know for sure if they will fit over the entire assembly.

Take a look at my slide show (in build journal) and you will see the first set of wheels are on backwards, the only way they would fit before I went back and got them swapped for the ford wheels.(the next picture shows the ford wheels on correctly.)

[Denny Unfried]

Since my wheels have 4-1/2" of backspace my spindles stick out quite a ways so like the say "if you have lemons, make lemonaide". I found some deep chrome on plastic caps to fit over the hubs from J C Whitney.

Denny

[Digitac]

Thanks for your replys everyone.

TonyCooper, Glad to hear someone else is building a Tear for a Miata, maybe we'll cross paths one day. I bought a Delan Hidden Hitch for mine. It's completely hidden by the rear bumper as well. Have you bought an axle and hubs yet?

Alan Geddes, Great website, thanks. That will help me when talking to some of the stores.

Jimsav, yes, that's right, however the end of the spindle extends out 2.25 inches (I was mistaken when I said 4) past the hub face, whereas on my car it's only about half an inch. Here's some pictures to help: http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/592068/2 So basically I need to find some wheels that will clear that nose but still have a 40mm offset.

KZ76017, I'm pretty sure that I won't be able to find any wheels the right size to fit my current setup, so my delmma is when I replace the hubs with 5 lug hubs, which bolt pattern do I get.


Thanks again for your responses.

::Digitac

[Jiminsav]

Digitac,

ohhhhh..i see now..you have hubs with electric brakes..I have just plain ol' hubs.

I see you have a 4 lug pattern..have you tried any 4 lug ford wheels like someone else suggested?

It would be kind of hard to replace them hubs with the bolt pattern you need because of the brake drum. sorry I'm all out of ideas.

[kurtibm]

You might ry Stockton Wheel, http://www.stocktonwheel.com/
they manufacture wheels to spec.
They made a nice set of 14" "smoothies" for me that fit on 4x4" hubs.

[smithder01]

I am using some mazda wheels for my tear. They are off a Protege. I had the same problem. What I did was machine out the center of the wheel on a CNC milling machine to the diameter that I needed to clear the hub. Maybe you could find a local machine shop to machine your wheels to match the hubs.