+2 Alloy Wheel Collar Needed !

[JonnyPlus2]

Hi,
I have just purchased a set of factory alloys but the seller only had 3 collars (I'm referring to the concave washer that fits between the spinner and the wheel, see pic) is missing. I'm hoping that someone has a spare collar they're willing to sell. The reproduction ones from Paul Matty apparently don't fit. Thanks.
Best Regards,
Jon Bathmaker

[oillite]

There is a guy who advertises them on ebay now and then, think he was in Devon. I bought one off him last January if I can find the relevant paper work I'll pm. you.

[p.faurie]

There is a guy who advertises them on ebay now and then, think he was in Devon. I bought one off him last January if I can find the relevant paper work I'll pm. you.

Hi Jon,south west lotus centre sell them ,i bought a set from them last year for approx ?6.00 each. i had to drift them in with wooden blocks and hammer,then pulled them in with the spinners,short road test to retighten the wheels is a must as they were all loose after 1-2 miles regards phil

[JonnyPlus2]

Hi Phil,
Thanks for this, I'll give them a ding on Monday morning.
Regards,
Jonny

[CBUEB1771]

I'm referring to the concave washer that fits between the spinner and the wheel, see pic

Thanks for this image. Now I know that the thrust rings supplied by Minilite for their peg-drive wheels are essentially the same as those for Brand Lotus wheels. Could someone post an image of the alloy-wheel only knock-on nut? I would like to see the profile of the nut where it engages the thrust ring.

[pauljones]

Russ

Forgive my ignorance,but are you refering to the large nut that that holds on the wheels,as opposed to our uk type 3 eared spinners?

i have a set so i can post up images if were talking the same component

Paul

[CBUEB1771]

Paul,
Yes, that is what I am referring to. They are three-eared in all markets up to 1967 and then with an octagonal wrenching surface from 1968 onwards in the US. I am most interested in the profile where the nut contacts the thrust collar of the alloy wheel.

[pauljones]

Russ

Tomorrow I will get some pics up for you and try to get some dimensions for you too.

Paul

[crannyr]

Russ,
You have a PM

[stugilmour]

I'm referring to the concave washer that fits between the spinner and the wheel, see pic

Thanks for this image. Now I know that the thrust rings supplied by Minilite for their peg-drive wheels are essentially the same as those for Brand Lotus wheels. Could someone post an image of the alloy-wheel only knock-on nut? I would like to see the profile of the nut where it engages the thrust ring.

Russ et al, I have 5 1/2" x 13" Minilites I purchased a couple of years ago through TargettMotorSport in the US. They were supplied without thrust rings. The profile in the wheel is kind of rounded. Should I be installing the same rings being discussed? Did you get some from Minilite?

thx

[mac5777]

I guys, Here are three picture. One is of the spinner's beveled portion that fits the wheel. Notice the bevel has a large surface to contact the wheel. I just got a Minilite picture that has a recessed thrust ring that is almost square which means a very limited contact area. And means that the spinners have to be screwed down even closer to the wheel. Like some of the Lotus alloys 10 spoke for Elan+2s my knockoff tool could touch the wheel--not good-- This is the first Minilite that I have seen that had a recess thrust ring like the one in the photo. Are they all like that or is it just a particular manufacturer? Sounds like since the thrust ring are detachable that there may be a variety of choices.??
The other picture shows a thrust ring that stands proud and has a bevel that matches our spinners. Its a much better fit that match the two surfaces.

Sarto

[CBUEB1771]

Russ et al, I have 5 1/2" x 13" Minilites I purchased a couple of years ago through TargettMotorSport in the US. They were supplied without thrust rings. The profile in the wheel is kind of rounded. Should I be installing the same rings being discussed? Did you get some from Minilite?

Stu,
I bought my Minilites through the fellow in Connecticut who was Minilite's US agent at the time, sorry I don't recall his name now. He was a fabricator who did a lot of work on historic rally cars. My Minilites were delivered with the thrust rings. I don't see how these wheels could be secured properly without the thrust rings. Without them the knock-on nut is likely to bottom on the threaded section of the hub before putting any load on the wheel.

[CBUEB1771]

I guys, Here are three picture. One is of the spinner's beveled portion that fits the wheel. Notice the bevel has a large surface to contact the wheel. I just got a Minilite picture that has a recessed thrust ring that is almost square which means a very limited contact area. And means that the spinners have to be screwed down even closer to the wheel. Like some of the Lotus alloys 10 spoke for Elan+2s my knockoff tool could touch the wheel--not good-- This is the first Minilite that I have seen that had a recess thrust ring like the one in the photo.

I believe the uppermost of your three photos is a Panasport wheel which has a thrust ring which seems to be designed to work with the more common knock-on nuts for steel wheels. The Minilite wheel appears to have the same type of thrust ring that was used on the Brand Lotus ten-rib wheels. My thinking is that the knock-on nut for alloy wheels would probably have a deeper internal threaded section to keep it from bottoming on the hub before loading the wheel. The knock-on nut or alloy wheels might also have a non-conical profile where in comes up against the thrust ring. Hopefully we'll see some photos soon. I did search the archives for an illustrative photo but could not find one.

[garyeanderson]

Russ et al, I have 5 1/2" x 13" Minilites I purchased a couple of years ago through TargettMotorSport in the US. They were supplied without thrust rings. The profile in the wheel is kind of rounded. Should I be installing the same rings being discussed? Did you get some from Minilite?

Stu,
I bought my Minilites through the fellow in Connecticut who was Minilite's US agent at the time, sorry I don't recall his name now. He was a fabricator who did a lot of work on historic rally cars. My Minilites were delivered with the thrust rings. I don't see how these wheels could be secured properly without the thrust rings. Without them the knock-on nut is likely to bottom on the threaded section of the hub before putting any load on the wheel.

Hi Russ

Steve Francis was the Minilite person that you may be thinking of. I would have post photos but I don't have any of that modern stuff in the collection of stuff.

Gary

[stugilmour]

Thanks for the follow up info guys. The middle pic posted by Sarto is the same as my Minilites. Sarto's pic shows the convex curved profile way better than my pic.

I discussed at length the Minilite fitment issue today with John Targett on the phone. He is the current US supplier for Minilite as per the Minilite UK web site. Really good guy; races an MGB.

http://www.minilitewheels.us/

John is contacting Minilite UK to follow up on Minilite thrust ring requirements and availability. Hope to hear back in the next few days; he only has a short window today with time zones. John really wants to follow up correctly on this as he has sold about 1/2 dozen Lotus peg drive wheel sets in the last couple of years and has not heard of the issue.

I really want to make sure I get the Minilite fitment sorted prior to my LOG32 trip. On the way to LOG31 in Las Vegas I almost had the left rear wheel depart the car at speed! Wondering now if my 'firm' torquing of the octagonal Nader Nuts is causing issues with wheel vibration.

Will let you know when John calls back.