Wheel/caliper interference. Solution?

[Paul Moir]

I ran into a problem today putting on the winter tires. The snow tires are on their own steel wheels so all I normally have to do is unbolt the alloy wheels with the summer tires and bolt on the winters. <br />But this year I have a new car, and the old steel wheels don't quite fit. The rear ones went on without a problem but the front ones are rubbing against the face of the caliper by about 1/16". Just so the wheel won't turn when you snug up the lug nuts. <br />The alloy wheels are 17" and the steel wheels are 16", but there seems to be lots of clearance between the outside of the caliper and the inside of the wheel. It's just the face that's rubbing.<br />So my question is what's the best solution here? Is it a wheel spacer I'm looking for, or should I get new wheels? If I get spacers, how much clearance should I shoot for?<br />Thanks, I really appreciate any advice you can give!

 

[one more cast]

Re: Wheel/caliper interference. Solution?

I would stick with factory size tires and wheels.

 

[Kenneth Brown]

Re: Wheel/caliper interference. Solution?

Everyone reccomends NOT using spacers. That being said I say use a spacer. We used them on dirt track stock car racing up to 1" thick. I never cracked a spacer with all of the beating and banging going on. I would use a 1/4" and no more though in your case.

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: Wheel/caliper interference. Solution?

Well they are, sort of.<br /><br />The old car was an earilier model Grand Prix. The new one is a later Grand Prix with a few factory options, including some nicer brakes & larger nicer wheels (no width or OD change). The old wheels are the same as a regular later GP. This might be the problem.<br /><br />BUT!! I just pulled off the three steel wheels I had managed to get on and found ONE of them was (very) different from the rest! It's times like this that remind me why these sort of jobs became DIY. Now it would fit fine over the caliper with a good 1/4"+ of clearance all the way around.<br /><br />So it looks like I'm into replacing rims now anyway. The tires are brand new Michelins and I don't want to replace them. Plus I think the wider walled tire would make more sense in the winter.<br /><br />(BTW, I counted the difference in the thread depth and it worked out to 3/16", so if I used a 3/16" spacer then the nuts would still thread on the same amount. That is to say, I wouldn't be into replacing studs too. But I guess that's a moot point now.)

 

[steamboatwilly]

Re: Wheel/caliper interference. Solution?

If the calipers are touching at a small spot(or a hump),I have used a grinder on the caliper.

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: Wheel/caliper interference. Solution?

Ah, I wish it were only that. Even though the protrusion is just the casting flashing, they interfer a good amount. But the real problem is the calipers are painted.<br /><br />I think I'm getting over the mismatched wheel. They're just crummy winter rims afterall. That is to say, I'm leaning back towards using the spacers. I'll make sure I've got the fender clearence first though.