do i need spacers??!?!! [1986 GMQ]

[Nick52284]

ok, i test fit the new rims and in the front i think i need spacers. inner rim lip facing the spindle and upper control arm is only like 1/4 - 1/2 inch away, the rim doesn't rub as i spin it but with tires it prolly will. any suggestions on where to get spacers or if there are tires that have a flat enough sidewall that won't stick out further than the lip of the rim?

Nick

[Sprucey]

Test it with a tire on it. If it'll rub, it will be when the steering wheel is turned all the way. If you need spacers, summit racing sells them for $15.00/pair at most. Most tires have a rim protecting lip that sticks them out further than the lip.

[mrltd]

What car, what wheels? Spacers are cheap, and the small ones can be used without swapping studs.

[DuceAnAHalf]

Be sure to take into account that the tire will roll over at the top also

Depending on the height of the side wall, the upper part of the tire can flex like the lower part. On really short tires or tires on wide rims this is not a real big problem, but if you tires are on a narrow rim or have tall sidewalls, they can flex a good amount.

[Nick52284]

the rims:

KEYSTONE - ARE CHROME STEEL 16" x 8" RIMS
5 BOLT PATTERN: 5 X 4.5
CENTER HOLE: 3 & 1/4"
BACK SPACE: 5"



the car: 1986 grand marquis



the front rim fits but theres very little clearence between the rim lip and the upper control arm? i drew a diagram with my mad paint skills, lol



the back rims will also need a spacer if i want to fit anything wider than 225/55/16 which i do, i want to run at least 245's in the rear and 225's up front.

heres a pic of the back clearence:



and a pic to give you an idea of what the rims look like:



helpo me out fellas i know i need spacers but i dunno how to go about getting ones that fit and with studs long enough to work! thanks guys!

Nick

[gadget73]

Isn't stock backspacing for these cars something like 4.5"?

I'll agree on checking it with the tires mounted up. If its that tight with just a wheel you might need spacers. If those are the same offset as a Fox chassis (Mustang, etc) wheel, most panthers will need about a 1" spacer to get it back into position.

[Nick52284]

iirc the backspacing was 4.25 stock, what size spacer would i need to make these rims work? and where can i find them at that have the correct stud thread and length? thanks again guys i'd be stuck without you!

edit: will these work???

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/WHEEL...33380266QQrdZ1


Nick

[89GrandMarquis]

Isn't stock backspacing for these cars something like 4.5"?

The factory service manual says that the stock backspacing was:
Steel = 3.6"
Turbines = 3.7"

[Nick52284]

well i ordered a set of 4 1" spacers for the merc to get the rims right, that'll do the trick! hopefully be the end of the month beginning of march the car will will be done with rims, tires, and exhaust!

Nick

[Freshmeat]

Good deal!

[mrltd]

well i ordered a set of 4 1" spacers for the merc to get the rims right, that'll do the trick! hopefully be the end of the month beginning of march the car will will be done with rims, tires, and exhaust!

Nick

I woulda sold mine cheap. Beware of the studs/nuts that come with the ebay adapters.

[Nick52284]

Beware of the studs/nuts that come with the ebay adapters.

how come? they shoddy or something? heres the ones i ordered

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/WHEEL...33380266QQrdZ1

good or bad? i ordered 2 sets

Nick

[DuceAnAHalf]

Id buy some Name brand (Milodon, ARP, Moroso, etc.) brand studs and press those in. A set of studs will run about $40, thats cheap insurance to me. The ones that comes in those spacers MIGHT be the cheapest chinese studs they could find.

[Nick52284]

is there any way to tell the brand on the studs? i'll look at them when i get them, i just ordered them today

nick

[mrltd]

You will be able to tell by the lugnuts. Mine were drilled off center and looked horrible. The studs were also too short for my aluminum wheels.