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New wheels and tyres, but.....

Posted: 24 May 2013, 12:15
by tforturton
Yes, at last, I have my new wheels and tyres fitted, but still have some questions (groan).
They're 15in Mefro wheels, with 205/75/15 General Grabber ATs, and here's my query..
I know they don't come with centre caps, but even if they did, I don't think they'd fit over the rear hub ends, which seem to be sticking out a long way. Much further than the front ones, which are a bit more proud than I thought they'd be as well. Is this normal? I've had a look at a couple of vans with Mefros on here, and they all look reasonably tucked away, if you know what I mean.
Also, I realise the drive will be a bit different with new wheels and tyres, but it seems a bit 'floaty' to me. Just in case, what should the tyre pressures be now?

Re: New wheels and tyres, but.....

Posted: 24 May 2013, 15:18
by tforturton
The Brick Yard ready-reckoner seems to quote every size except the ones I have. Any pointers, please?

Re: New wheels and tyres, but.....

Posted: 24 May 2013, 16:39
by Syncrobaz
I'm running my new BFG MT's on Mefro's at 36 psi all round, well behaved on and off road :ok

The bit "sticking out" is normal I guess the pics you've looked at may have spacers fitted ???

Re: New wheels and tyres, but.....

Posted: 24 May 2013, 16:44
by toomanytoys
Maybe a pic would shed some light.. but if you have Mefro's from the normal sources and your van hasn't got something done to it.. then they are prob as they would be on any other van..
the std 16" plastic covers fit on my cheapo merc steelies no problem as they are retained by the nuts don't know if they go on the mefros tho...

Re: New wheels and tyres, but.....

Posted: 24 May 2013, 17:00
by Aidan
16" wheel caps fit mefros but you need a few turns of insulation tape round them as the merc radius nuts that suit the mefros are slightly narrower shoulder, but a set of 16" caps is now ridiculously expensive from classic parts, plastic stuff like this is ok to make in china cheaply
you can use the caddy wheel centres like Simon has used on the Iltis on the front but the rear hub nut sticks out too far to use them on the back

Re: New wheels and tyres, but.....

Posted: 24 May 2013, 18:11
by syncropaddy
Buschmide sell hub caps for Mefros and pressures should be 3 bar at the rear and 2.5 bar at the front or there abouts. Having the same pressure front and rear is just not right!

Re: New wheels and tyres, but.....

Posted: 24 May 2013, 19:33
by Syncrobaz
Caps are available to make it look "nice" but I prefer the agricultural look !!

Re: New wheels and tyres, but.....

Posted: 24 May 2013, 19:47
by max and caddy
Pity the standard metal hub caps don't just pop onto the mefros I think...maybe a way could be devised..

Re: New wheels and tyres, but.....

Posted: 24 May 2013, 21:37
by tforturton
syncropaddy wrote:Buschmide sell hub caps for Mefros and pressures should be 3 bar at the rear and 2.5 bar at the front or there abouts. Having the same pressure front and rear is just not right!
Buschmide....that's a new one on me. Okay I'll take a look. And thanks for all the hints re pressures.

Re: New wheels and tyres, but.....

Posted: 24 May 2013, 22:04
by ninja.turtle007
max and caddy wrote:Pity the standard metal hub caps don't just pop onto the mefros I think...maybe a way could be devised..

I'm sure I have seen tabs welded onto merc rims for the standard metal hub caps. Can't remember who or where.

Re: New wheels and tyres, but.....

Posted: 25 May 2013, 08:59
by max and caddy
ninja.turtle007 wrote:
max and caddy wrote:Pity the standard metal hub caps don't just pop onto the mefros I think...maybe a way could be devised..

I'm sure I have seen tabs welded onto merc rims for the standard metal hub caps. Can't remember who or where.

That's all it would take..springy tabs..would give a standard appearance but with benefits...the vw 16" steels didn't accept a standard hub cap though of course which I find a bit surprising.

Re: New wheels and tyres, but.....

Posted: 25 May 2013, 22:05
by TheProf
.., the centre caps i have on my mefros were from syncro-services a couple of years ago..still on the van, so must fit ok !! . they still seem to be selling them...bottom of this page ...
http://www.syncro-services.com/en/accessoriesexternal" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Re: New wheels and tyres, but.....

Posted: 28 May 2013, 15:45
by tforturton
I let some air out of the tyres, down to 36psi at the front, 38 at the rear, and the drive is a whole lot better. I'll experiment a bit over the next couple of weeks, and see where it ends up. Those syncro-services caps look like what I'm after, but they're not cheap, are they?