wheel nut size? (and tyre choice)

[tc20]

Hi all,

i have a 95 ex-Japan Mini, which unfortunately just picked up a puncture, first one since we got the car. It is fitted with minilites, and 145/70 R12 Yokohamas on the front, can't remember the rear tyre make, but they're a recognised brand which i got the seller to fit before purchase.
I noticed the puncture outside the house and went to change the tyre...(it was a scissor jack supplied with the car, ideally it should be the stand-type jack but thats another matter, and a 4 way wheel brace)
So i tried the wheel brace, fitted with a 17mm, 19mm, 21mm & i think 23mm. The 17 didnt fit, and the 19 felt like it was going to ring the nut on the wheel. As it happened, my neighbour was on the road and we got talking. He could see what was going on, and said he'd have a root in his shed. In the meantime i had tried the wheelbrace from my old Merc (no dice). My neighbour had another old-stlye wheel brace and this seemed to do the trick, although again it wasn't a perfect fit. Anyways, i got the offending flat off, and the spare on.
I had a look at the flat and noticed cracks in the tyre, apart from the dirty big screw which caused the puncture in the first place. So i'm thinking i'll get a pair of new tyres for the front, and thought i'd see if you guys would recommend a supplier such as camskills or eiretyres.
Has anyone had similar issues with wheel nuts? (is this more prevalent among ex-Japan cars?)

cheers

[Kenneth Murphy]

i had this with my old wheel nuts, they were old sizes. i used an 18 socket. when i replaced my wheels they were supplied with new shiny 19's

[tc20]

Thanks Kenneth - can you just pick up 19mil wheel nuts in a motor factors?

Funny thing is, after feeling the wheel brace slip on the nut, i tried my socket set - lo and behold no 18mil socket ??

[JonesyG]

I imagine its an 11/16 old imperial your after

Slightly bigger than a 17mm yet smaller then an 18mm

[tc20]

thanks Jonesy - i thought it might be the old imperial size i'd be needing.

cheers

[kerryminigringo]

Yep 11/16 is what your after and if you can get a 6 sided socket instead of a mutipoint one all the better.Once you ring the stainless steel cap it is very difficult to get the nut loose.I find once you have damaged the nut the best method is to hammer the 11/16 socket over the nut and this all allow you to loosen to nut and replace with new nuts and always keep the 11/16 socket and breaker bar in the car and never let a tyre fitter near them.

[gareth]

Or if you pop the tin cover off the nut the 17 will fit.... just use a screw driver to get it off.

[kerryminigringo]

Ah but they look so much nicer with the caps on.

[JonesyG]

Yea im for the shiny caps left in tact too

Buy a Power-bar and 11/16 socket and your sorted

[keith]

a quick check of both the websites you mentioned above shows CAMSKILL offering Falkens at 63.90 for two, post packing and tax included, delivered to Dublin . Eiretyres have a similar price, a few euro more, *but* are misleading in their advertising by adding a surcharge of €10 to the advertised price if you only buy one tyre.

my local tyre man quoted €10 a wheel for fitting and balancing. i think he includes air too. Don't laugh, air costs 50p a puff in UK...

[The Marcos Graveyard]

How big is a puff ?

[macker]

How big is a puff ?

duurty nellie!

[gareth]

Ah but they look so much nicer with the caps on.

I only mean while changing the wheel then pop them back on.......

[tc20]

just an update folks - just off the phone to Sandyford Tyre Centre. I asked would they fit tyres if i supplied them myself. I was thinking of 4no Falken from Camskills, approx €30 a corner, plus shipping, plus €15 each for fitting. Works out at a shade over €200 all in. They matched the price, actually a few euro cheaper, so thats done and dusted - i'll get them fitted next week.

I'll have a look in the local motor factors during lunch for a 11/16 spanner.

[The Marcos Graveyard]

Spanner is no good, get a socket.

[tc20]

^ my bad, i did mean a socket.