magnesium minilite torque

[loueelotus]

Hi, I have magnesium Minilites Wheels and magnesium Lugs and was wondering what the torque tolerances should be for these antique wheels.. Here is s photo of one wheel and bolt lugs..

Thanks,
Lou

[Elanman99]

Somewhere I have the instructions that came with the same Minilite wheels and I'm pretty sure is specifies the torque figure for the (aluminium) wheel nuts. I will look for it tomorrow and post and image or PDF.

I would be surprised if the wheels were actually magnesium. Whilst Minilite built their business and brand producing magnesium wheels and other components, they introduced the lower cost aluminium 'Sports' wheel (identified by the small radial fins at the centre) which as far as I know was only made as a bolt-on (rather than a knock-on) wheel.

Ian

[loueelotus]

Hi thank you for responding and sending me the info. I have a friend who is a metalurgist and worked at Lockheed in Montreal. And he told me that they are magnesium and said be careful Torquing them.

Cheers, Lou
..

[Elanman99]

I've found the documentation that came with my wheels in 1972. I dont have a scanner but will take pictures in daylight tomorrow.

Opening paragraph states,
Your Minilites are made from a light one-piece high pressure die casting of 'Dynaloy', a metal specially developed for the remarkably strong Minilight Sports Wheel.

Tightening torque is given as 42 lb-ft for the 3/8" UNF Alloy nuts

The wheel in your picture looks brand new, have you repainted it?

Ian

[loueelotus]

Hi Ian, thank you so much. You have enlightened me on a question I had since I got the car on 1979..The wheels are in very good condition and I found a paint Tremclad high heat paint the perfect match so I touch up the wheels once a year when I put the car away for our long hard winters..

Cheers, Lou ĺ

[fatboyoz]

Hi Lou and Ian,
My S4 with the same wheels. Have been on the car from new, or within 12 months of new.
Cheers,
Colin.

[Elanman99]

The attachments are what came with my wheels when I bought them in 1970, a couple of years after getting my S4

Ian

PS, Lou, I've never thought of my car (or its wheels) as being an 'antique'. It is still the only car I have ever bought brand new.

[Elanman99]

Twenty years one month from when I reduced my four Minilite wheels to three!

Ian

[fatboyoz]

Hi Ian,
What have you done with the remaining three wheels?
Cheers,
Colin.






quote="Elanman99"]Twenty years one month from when I reduced my four Minilite wheels to three!

Ian[/quote]

[Elanman99]

Hi Ian,
What have you done with the remaining three wheels?
Cheers,
Colin.

Kept them! (I'm a hoarder)

I live (lived, really) in hope that being aluminium rather than magnesium, some company that I have not yet come across might be able to repair the damaged one and I could put them back on the car. I currently have the modern Minilites but they need repainting (for the second time).

Ian

[fatboyoz]

Smart move.
There is definitely a new home for them if you decide to clean out your hoard.
Cheers,
Colin








quote="Elanman99"]

Hi Ian,
What have you done with the remaining three wheels?
Cheers,
Colin.

Kept them! (I'm a hoarder)

I live (lived, really) in hope that being aluminium rather than magnesium, some company that I have not yet come across might be able to repair the damaged one and I could put them back on the car. I currently have the modern Minilites but they need repainting (for the second time).

Ian[/quote]

[Elanman99]

Colin, I know I will never get round to using them but Oz is a long way as regards shipping.

Ian

[loueelotus]

Hi Ian, Wow! sorry to see what happened to your car.. That's my worst nightmare driving the Elan.. Thank you for all the info..

I have another question for Colin and you.. Did you guys ever have trouble balancing them?

Cheers, Lou

[fatboyoz]

Hi Lou,
Yes, always end up with a heap of stick on weights. Some better than others.
Still, once balanced, they seem just fine.
Cheers,
Colin.




quote="loueelotus"]Hi Ian, Wow! sorry to see what happened to your car.. That's my worst nightmare driving the Elan.. Thank you for all the info..

I have another question for Colin and you.. Did you guys ever have trouble balancing them?

Cheers, Lou[/quote]