That's funny Ian as mine was the reverse but not a fitment issue. I have Bridgestones 165 60 12's on a Mini and they look a lot wider and fill the arches better than the Falkens they replaced but are the same size. I have been asked twice how i managed to run bigger tyres without body mods, on both occasions they checked to see if i was mistaken.

Quadrants incorrectly fitted?

I find it interesting how different our cars can be....  I recently had issues fitting new Falken tyres on the back of my Mini in place of the exisiting Bridgestones..  The Falkens are the same (nominal) size as the Bridgestones and are fitted to the same type of wheel but would not clear the shock tubes.  I had to replace the Falkens with the same size Bridgies..

However, I had no issues with the handbrake cables.  I just checked and the cables have about a cm (1/2 inch) more clearance than the shocks...  So don't know why you would have a problem???

Cheers, Ian

Hi there. I am running into the same problem fitting original Mk2 Cosmics with 165 tires on an all drum Mk1. Which 5mm spacers do you wind up using? I see our host sells those. Were they a tight fit over the studs keeping them in place? Thanks!

5mm spacers was all it took to clear the parking brake cables.  The cables still rest on the tires when the parking brake is applied, but as long as I don't drive with the parking brake on, I'm fine.  Thanks for the input!

4.5" wheels will likely be to the Cooper S offset, made for a 3/4" wider per side disc/drum track.  These wheels have more rim to the inside than the 3.5" rims being removed so spacers will be needed on the rear if non-spacered drums are fitted to clear the brake cables and likely shock tubes as well (if fitted, year and model of mini not stated).  Adding 3/4" spacers or drums with built in spacer (Cooper S/1275 GT/1984+) will give the S stance but you might be able to get clearance and keep the rim tucked in with less than 3/4".  Fronts should not give any fitment problem but do check that the tires do not rub the tie bars on full lock.

Or you could install the spacered drums with longer studs but if you have front drums they are not going to look right as the front disc set up has a wider track.

Spacers and flares are on the cards!

I ran into this problem years ago and the quick fix for me was making a wheel spacer.

I just removed my 3.5X10 stock steel wheels with 145/80 tires and installed 4.5X10 Minilite style wheels with 165/70 tires.  They look great, but it appears the hand brake cable now rubs just a tiny bit on the inside of both rear tires.  How do I fix this?  Is there a cable adjustment I can make? Could wheel spacers be the answer?  FB