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Fitment Guide


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Austin Healey Sprite Mk I, Mk II, Mk III & Mk IV

Body Sports
Engine 948 cc, 1098 cc or 1275 cc
Year 1958 - 1971

Wheels

Original XW458
Rim Size 4" x 13"
Centre 42mm Curly
Number of Spokes 60
Finish Chrome or silver-painted
Lacing Inner & Outer
Inset (mm) 17.5
Back Spacing (mm) 81.5 (+/- 3)

Click here to view an explanation of inset, outset and back spacing.
Tyre 5.20x13 (Dunlop C41 crossply, original fitment)

145R13 (standard from August 1965)
Tube The chrome wheel has been tubeless since December 2018; and the silver-painted wheel has been tubeless since June 2018

If you have the older, tubed wheels or are fitting tube-type tyres you will need 135/145 x 13 tubes and we recommend 13"/14" rim bands
Notes The Sprite Mk I was originally fitted with 3½" x 13" steel disc wheels using brake drums at both front and rear. The conversion to Girling disc brakes at the front entailed the conversion to wire wheels. Early 1961, new Lockheed disc brakes, the so called "thin discs", were introduced, which did not require the conversion to wire wheels any more. However, silver-painted wire wheels were offered as an option.

A small number (around 20 cars) were manufactured in 1962 with wider rear axles.

Slight modifications may be required for "Square Wheel Arches" axle may sit further to right/left.

Other Wheel Options

Options XW5785
XW5797
 
Rim Size5" x 13"5½" x 13" 
Centre42mm Curly42mm Curly 
Number of Spokes6060 
FinishSilver-painted onlyChrome 
LacingInner & OuterCentre 
Inset (mm)24.31.5 Outset 
Back Spacing (mm) 100 (+/- 0.5)

Click here to view an explanation of inset, outset and back spacing.
81.5 (+/- 3)

Click here to view an explanation of inset, outset and back spacing.
 
Tyre450L13
155R13 or 165R13

This rim is the optimum size for the 450L13 race tyre
175/70R13 
Tube155/165 x 13 tube
You will require 13"/14" rim bands
  
NotesAs far as we are aware this wheel should fit with no modifications but, as with all non-standard options, a fitment check is recommended.  
Notes  
Warranty Stainless Steel and Chrome: two year structural and cosmetic
Painted: two year structural and one year cosmetic

The warranty period commences from the date of invoice and is subject to the wheels being maintained as per our Wheel Care advice and in conjunction with our Terms and Conditions. Please retain the warranty tag supplied with each wheel as it contains the information required to identify the wheel in the event of a claim.

Please note: MWS warranty automatically becomes void if the wheels have been: subject to re-work or change; fitted with tyres other than the manufacturer’s recommended fitment; or used for track events.

Splined Hubs

Option 1When converting from steel wheels to wire wheels we would recommend the bolt-on splined hubs are used as the integral splined hub conversion requires extensive modification - half shafts to be replaced at the rear and the steel wheel brake discs replaced by wire wheel discs.

If converting using the bolt-on hubs you will need to check the clearance on the front brake pipes.
Option 2Bolt-on splined hubs (Drum Brakes) :

RSK193 - Left
RSK192 - Right

Four RN38NYLOCK per hub

The first time you fit bolt-on hubs it is recommended that customers purchase an additional spare nylock nut to use as a cutting guide.

When fitting : place the bolt-on hub onto the studs and screw on the spare nut; cut the stud down; remove the spare nut; apply the spare nut to the next stud and repeat. When all the studs have been cut down to the right size fit the hubs using all new nuts and dispose of the spare nut.

This advice applies to the nylock nuts but not the standard nuts because of the safety implications of any damage to the nylon inner.

If you have to remove the nuts for any reason in the future then as long as the nylon inner is undamaged they can theoretically be refitted but for safety's sake we would recommend they are replaced.


Early vehicles (Mk I) are fitted with Drum Brakes all round and may require 8mm spacers to offset the hub.

Front disc brakes became standard with the Mk II in 1962 for vehicles with the 1098cc engine. Mk II with the smaller 948cc engine still had drum brakes.

If converting from steel wheels check the clearance on the front brake pipes

Bolt-on splines will increase the track by up to 1¼" per wheel

Studs will require shortening, click here for a diagram

Click here for a guide to fitting hubs, caps and centre-lock wire wheels
Option 3Integral fitting splined hubs (Disc Brakes) :

RSK111 - Front Left
RSK110 - Front Right

RSK109 - Rear Left
RSK108 - Rear Right

These integral splines are 8 TPI, however, Mk I & Mk II (1958 - early 1964) may have 12 TPI splines - please check before ordering

12 TPI splined hubs are available to special order


Integral fitting hubs so no nuts necessary

Click here for a guide to fitting hubs, caps and centre-lock wire wheels

Spinners

Code KCK053LH/KCK052RH
KCK049LH/KCK048RH
Type Knock-on centre caps Knock-on centre caps
Size 42 mm 42 mm
Thread 8 TPI 12 TPI
Ears 2 2
Logo Plain (no logo) Plain (no logo)
Notes We recommend using our 42mm wooden spinner saver to protect the knock-on caps (spinners) when using a copper and hide hammer.

XW5797 : Due to the positioning of the centre in relation to the rim you will require an extra-deep wooden spinner saver

Click here for advice on how tight to apply spinners.
We recommend using our 42mm wooden spinner saver to protect the knock-on caps (spinners) when using a copper and hide hammer.

XW5797 : Due to the positioning of the centre in relation to the rim you will require an extra-deep wooden spinner saver

Click here for advice on how tight to apply spinners.
Code KCK057-8LH/KCK056-8RH
KCK057-12LH/KCK056-12RH
Type Knock-on centre caps Knock-on centre caps
Size 42 mm 42 mm
Thread 8 TPI 12 TPI
Ears 0 0
Logo Plain (no logo) Plain (no logo)
Notes Continental style octagonal spinner
 
Requires a spinner spanner to tighten/loosen caps.

Click here for advice on how tight to apply spinners.
Continental style octagonal spinner

Requires a spinner spanner to tighten/loosen caps.

Click here for advice on how tight to apply spinners.

Retaining Nuts

      

Extra Information

Other comments  

Always check the history of the vehicle to ensure that there have been no modifications to the running gear.

Hubs/splines, spinners and nuts remain the same, unless noted otherwise, regardless of which wheel is fitted.

We also stock wire wheel maintenance accessories such as our Cleaning Kit (Refills available), Cleaning Brush, Degreaser and Tyre Foam.

If you require any more information or advice please contact us:

UK - 01753 549 360 - e-mail Sales

Overseas - +44 1753 598 382 - e-mail Isabella

Pictures


XW458 Chrome

XW458 Silver-painted
 
XW5785 Silver-painted

XW5797 Chrome

XW5797 Silver-painted
   
   
   

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UK Sales: 01753 549 360
UK Fax: 01753 547 170
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Motor Wheel Service International Ltd, Units 1-4 Elder Way, Waterside Drive, Langley, Slough, Berkshire, SL3 6EP, UK
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