Wheel Experts. Need Advice
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
Wheel Experts. Need Advice
I took my car in today to have new Pirellis mounted on the AR Torq Thrust IIs and installed on the Corvette. Those wheels are supposed to clear the calipers. But I have run into a Maxwell Smart "missed by that much" situation. There is minor interference with the front calipers; the wheel spokes rub on the raised lettering of the word Moraine (Delco Moraine calipers. Not the caliper itself but just the raised lettering. The shop (very reputable local business) has recommended 3mm (1/8") spacers all round to tidy this up and I have accepted. The spacers will come in tomorrow.
But here is the question. I will lose 1/8" of the threaded section of the wheel studs. Is this enough to warrant the installation of longer studs?
But here is the question. I will lose 1/8" of the threaded section of the wheel studs. Is this enough to warrant the installation of longer studs?
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,812
Likes: 4
From: Gig Harbor Wa
Re: Wheel Experts. Need Advice (paul67)
I would not use spacers and grind the raised lettering off the calipers. Sometimes spacers are necessary, but in your case it sounds like it can be avoided.
And to answer your question, I wouldn't worry about the studs if the spacers are only 1/8". Just make sure the spacers are centered on the rotor before torquing down the nuts. There have been several complaints about spacers throwing off the balance of teh wheel and this is why.
And to answer your question, I wouldn't worry about the studs if the spacers are only 1/8". Just make sure the spacers are centered on the rotor before torquing down the nuts. There have been several complaints about spacers throwing off the balance of teh wheel and this is why.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
Re: Wheel Experts. Need Advice (70 LS1)
The shop thought of grinding/filing down the lettering but I rejected the idea as the calipers are clearly visible through the spokes and I am a little **** about appearances. I should have mentioned that the raised lettering and minor interference is only on the front. To check for possible wheel casting flaws we tried all the wheels on the front with the same result. So it is not the wheels. The spacers are five hole (4 3/4") and concentric. I am not sure how they can installed improperly/off centre?? Thanks for the advice on the studs. I pretty much feel the same way.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 10,643
Likes: 8
From: Foxfield CO 1970 Convertible
Re: Wheel Experts. Need Advice (paul67)
What size TT-IIs did you get? We've posted many times that the 16 inchers don't clear, which is why most of us have 17s. (Don't know about the 15s). If you went with the 17s, I wonder about the setup of your front wheels. Mine clear with about 1/4 inch - not a lot, but that's all you need.
Good luck... :)
Good luck... :)
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
Re: Wheel Experts. Need Advice (Z-man)
The car is a 1967 and the AR wheels were custom made to the specs (very close) of my current ralley wheels. They are 15". The width is 6" and the backspacing is 3 3/8". The offset is +1/8".
Here is the bend in the spokes that is supposed to allow for caliper clearance.
[Modified by paul67, 3:29 PM 4/20/2004]
Here is the bend in the spokes that is supposed to allow for caliper clearance.
[Modified by paul67, 3:29 PM 4/20/2004]
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 26,555
Likes: 257
From: Florida
2021 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified 2020
C2 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Re: Wheel Experts. Need Advice (paul67)
A lot of people who bad-mouth spacers have never used them. I have had them on my car for two years with no problems.
Get them custom made out of billet aluminum and the stud holes drilled to a perfect fit.
Do not use universal spacers as you might get a little unwanted bounce at certain speeds.
BTW, I had my wheels off today and the spacers still look like jewelery. Almost too good to cover up with tires. :)
Get them custom made out of billet aluminum and the stud holes drilled to a perfect fit.
Do not use universal spacers as you might get a little unwanted bounce at certain speeds.
BTW, I had my wheels off today and the spacers still look like jewelery. Almost too good to cover up with tires. :)
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
Re: Wheel Experts. Need Advice (OHSIXX)
I'm afraid they are universal for Chevy 4 3/4". I have not seen them of course as yet but if they look of decent quality I will go with them. The shop has been in business for over 30 years and I trust their judgement. The wheels should be on tomorrow. The test fit today of those wheels gave the car a very different personality. And one that pleased me. I will report back on the outcome later in the week. My tid bit for the evening!
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 10,643
Likes: 8
From: Foxfield CO 1970 Convertible
Re: Wheel Experts. Need Advice (paul67)
Wow! - They look like they should clear. I would think you shouldn't have problems with a universal spacer (that is, up to about 175 mph :) ). Also, the ones you are looking at are so thin it will hardly make a difference. It's not like you are trying to add 6 inches to your width...
Good luck -
Good luck -
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
Re: Wheel Experts. Need Advice (Z-man)
This job should be done by tomorrow evening. I just want it done right for safety reasons as does the shop. I suggested the old hot rod solution of adding washers but they rejected that for liability reasons. I should have known better but my Bubba solutions never leave me. I will post pics if this project comes together successfully. Or why it did not! We all can learn.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 930
Likes: 1
From: Phoenix Az
Re: Wheel Experts. Need Advice (paul67)
In my opinion if you don't race or try to pop wheelies or go 125 mph those small spacers should be ok. If it was my Vette I would grind the letters off smoothly and coat and paint the calipers and you will never know. :cheers: :seeya
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
Re: Wheel Experts. Need Advice (phxraptor)
It's funny you should say that. I have a can of caliper paint and was prepared to file off the letters very neatly and have at it. But for $20 worth of spacers I will give them a try. And with a 327/300 and Powerglide, wheelies are unlikely! My real concern is tire/fender clearance at the back. The Dunlop Axioms on the car at the moment have a 6" tread width. The new Pirellis are about 7 1/2". This despite the fact that both are 215mm in tire "width": they are both 215-70R/15. We shall see by the end of the day.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,727
Likes: 38
From: Fremont CA
Re: Wheel Experts. Need Advice (paul67)
I not only had to grind off lettering on my calipers but run, 1/8" spacers too on my TTII wheels. This is a problem that dates back the the 1960's with AR wheels and they are trying to carry on the tradition! I used 205-75-15's on my Mid-Year with stock knock-offs. I think you are going to have trouble fitting those BIG tires but maybe you will be OK with your custom offset if you measured correctly.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
Re: Wheel Experts. Need Advice (paul67)
Paul
Some confuse spacers w/ adapters which bolt on & allow a wheel w/ a different bolt pattern to be bolted to the adapter. This moves the wheel way out & alters the stresses, which were considered during engineering. Generally not a good idea.
While I would grind off the lettering, a 1/8" spacer is fine.
Some confuse spacers w/ adapters which bolt on & allow a wheel w/ a different bolt pattern to be bolted to the adapter. This moves the wheel way out & alters the stresses, which were considered during engineering. Generally not a good idea.
While I would grind off the lettering, a 1/8" spacer is fine.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
Re: Wheel Experts. Need Advice (Ganey)
Ganey,
Good point! Basically the spacer is just a 1/8" (3mm) thick metal disc. They come in a number of thicknesses, of course. Unfortunately they did not arrive this morning so the work has been delayed.
Good point! Basically the spacer is just a 1/8" (3mm) thick metal disc. They come in a number of thicknesses, of course. Unfortunately they did not arrive this morning so the work has been delayed.