145by 10 on 4.5J steel rims (1071 1964 Cooper S)

[panda911]

Hello
I have 165/70 by 10 fitted on my rose petal alloys.30psi on front
They also fit the original steel LP883 rims.
I was a bit surprised to feel the amount of effort to steer at very low speed and wonder
if 145 by 10 were fitted to the 1071 cooper S and might give less heavy steering.
Accepting that wheel geometry will play a part in this, would anyone be prepared to give me an overview or
direct my to a previous thread, or indeed correct any misconceptions that I may have.
(or a narrower rim)
Thank you

[davidnutland]

Don't forget that 145 x 10 radial and the 520 crossply tyre were the size the cars left the factory on. I will be running my 64 1275 S on 145 Bockleys

[panda911]

Hi David
Were the 145 by 10 radials fitted to 4.5J rims?
BR

[Allen Brzeczek]

I have a 66/67 1275 S on the original factory fitted 4.5 steel rims with 165/70 x 10 tyres, front pressure 28 psi. I have an 11" steering wheel, when stationary yes, the steering could to a degree be described as somewhat heavy but so long as the car is in motion however slowly the steering is good. I have a tight turn off of the passage way into my garage and need to reverse and manoeuvre back and forth to get in/out but would not consider the steering as unduly heavy.

Just to mention some years ago I fitted the later Mk 2 rack which has a slightly different turn ratio but do not see this as necessarily an influencing factor.

[1071 S]

Hi David
Were the 145 by 10 radials fitted to 4.5J rims?
BR

Yes. 70 series tyres (165/70x10) just didn't exist for the first 6 or 7 years of 4.5" wheel useage...

Cheers, Ian

PS Caster has a lot to do with steering weight.... You will need adjustable tie rods to make a lot of difference but worn front bushes (or bent tie rods) can have some effect.

[timmy201]

Have you got a standard size Mk1 steering wheel or something smaller?

I’ve got 165 tyres on mine & with the big 15.5” standard wheel the effort is noticeably less than a small 13” wheel

[panda911]

Thank you for all the replies.
I do have the standard steering wheel and will locate the Keith Calver article on suspension set up as a result of the heads up about castor angle.
Similarly the information on the 145 by 10 tyres being the original setup on the LP883 rims.
I may revert to the original size tyres.
Best regards.

[mab01uk]

If all else fails....
Electric Power Steering Conversion Kit for Mini:-
https://www.holden.co.uk/p/electric-pow ... mini-spi-1

[panda911]

Thanks mabo1uk
Will work through all the obvious options
and as you say, if all else fails...
Have previously bought from Holden
Will contact them on Monday,
BR
panda911