I have now bought a wheel balancer so now I just need to make an adaptor to nut-centrically balance mini wheels. From what I understand balancing them using a cone is a bad idea.

I posted previously about looking for a balancer and others posted that they had made adaptors to do this. I am wondering how people have done it or any ideas for how I could do it. I do have a lathe so it shouldn't be an issue, I just haven't worked out a good way yet. These are two spare hubs I could modify but I don't really want to cut up the front one yet, also both will need new studs to be able to be used without a drum.

_________________
1986 Mayfair (998 auto), 1974 S, 1974 Van, 1972 PMG Van

Too many minis

Hi 68,
Sorry I cant help with the adapter, I was just curious why there is a problem with balancing with the cone? As a tyre fitter I have balanced quite a few 10 inch mini wheels, standard and alloys and havnt had a problem. Im not disagreeing with you, I am just interested in the reason. Sorry again for the topic change.
Steve.

It may be because of the shape of the Mini centre hole.

some standard wheels aren't a circle in the centre IE, Leyland S

_________________
The bitterness of poor quality (or Crappy Workmanship) remains LONG AFTER the Sweet Taste of Low Price is forgotten.

The centre holes are not precision so they can be a bit off from the centre. Even looking at mine the edge of the hole isn't perfectly round. Since mini wheels are centred on the hub by the nuts it is the best way to get them balanced (other than maybe an on car balance).
Wheel balancers all have options for adaptors to mount wheels by the studs just it is slower so not many use them. My balancer has the option but finding one would be very difficult and since I only have two stud patterns I need to do I will make adaptors.

Alloy wheels will likely be ok cone balanced as the centre is usually machined precisely.

I am very interested in discussion on this topic. I know many steel mini wheels have been balanced via cones but it doesn't mean they are actually balanced but may be good enough to not get noticed.

_________________
1986 Mayfair (998 auto), 1974 S, 1974 Van, 1972 PMG Van

Too many minis

Hi 68,
yeah that sounds fair I have looked at the centre holes on a couple of wheels I have. they look ok but as you say they may not be precision machined. I agree the best way would be to use the studs if you want the best result. If I get time next week I might do a comparison at work. The wheels are probably all different so i may do a couple.

TK, I cant balance Leyland S wheels, as you say the hole isnt round, also they dont fit over the balancer shaft so cant use the stud holes either. Some old Peugeot wheels are the same. I would be interested how they get balanced.
Sorry again for the topic change, I am sure either of those hubs would make a good adapter, as long as you can get the centre hole centered on the shaft ok.
Steve.
hope that all makes sense, started NYE early.

So...it might be possible to centre the hole by carefully removing metal in a lathe?

_________________
"Show me the Mini!"

I have decided that neither of those hubs are really useful to be used for this. The studs would need to be modified so that the thread goes all the way and as well as that the outer diameter is just too small to sit on my balancer properly. They would need to be just about 5mm larger to be ok, machining them down might work but then the edge will be very close to the studs.

I was thinking of machining and adaptor but then I thought of a wheel spacer or a trailer hub, I just need to find one cheap enough.

_________________
1986 Mayfair (998 auto), 1974 S, 1974 Van, 1972 PMG Van

Too many minis