SPACERS

don luster · Post by **don luster** » October 6, 2009, 11:37 am

Need to ask a bumb question. I powder coated my stock rims then decided to go with speedway disc brake kit for my 63 truck. The rim rubs lightly on the disc brake calipers. I did a small amount of grinding but believe they will still rub when turn a corner. Is is safe and possible to use some harden steel washers to space the rim away from the claiper. I believe it will clear with on set of washers. any suggestion will be welcomed. don Luster

Gary Seymour · Post by **Gary Seymour** » October 6, 2009, 11:52 am

I would tend to go with a wheel spacer. I think Summit and JC Whitney have them in 5 on 5-1/2 BC. This will provide a larger and flatter surface area between the wheel and hub/disk.

Phil · Post by **Phil** » October 6, 2009, 12:33 pm

Caliper to wheel relationship shouldn't change in a turn.

ICEMAN6166 · Post by **ICEMAN6166** » October 6, 2009, 3:59 pm

Phil wrote:Caliper to wheel relationship shouldn't change in a turn.

that is correct.

the caliper will only rub inside the wheel as it spins.

the backspacing of the wheel and /or tire size is the contributing factor in rubbing the tire on anything while turning

Gritsngumbo · Post by **Gritsngumbo** » October 6, 2009, 4:07 pm

If I remember correctly a 3/8" spacer will move the wheel out enough to clear the rotor. I had a PM from a member with the details for the longest time, but it has disappeared. As I remember he measured by using washers, then had a 1/2 inch spacer cut down to size. (I can only find 1/4" and 1/2" spacers online). If anyone can find 3/8" spacers (5 on 5 1/2 let me know. Thanks.

BarnieTrk · Post by **BarnieTrk** » October 6, 2009, 6:03 pm

I would guess that with a 3/8" spacer, a fella would need to replace the lug studs with longer ones, correct?

BarnieTrk

jammck66 · Post by **jammck66** » October 6, 2009, 7:51 pm

I would for safety's sake replace the wheel studs.

cdherman · Post by **cdherman** » October 6, 2009, 10:20 pm

I have a pair of 5/16" spacers somewhere that I used on my 65 till I figured out where to grind down the 76 calipers.

I did not need to put longer lugs in the spindles -- the originals were plenty long. I DID have to replace two lugs that were torched off when I got the spindles -- the 76 went to its grave with a pair of those locking lug nuts on the front tires and the junk yard torched them off to get me the spindles.

I'd let go of the 5/16" spacers (I will measure to verify) if someone really wants them. I'd charge more for the trouble of finding them than the spacers themselves.....

blackagatha · Post by **blackagatha** » October 7, 2009, 4:22 am

seems to me that if the caliper just barely grazes, then it probably needs just barely anything to clear. Barely clearing counts as clearing...

What harm WOULD 5 plain old washers do if used to space a wheel? seems like it would be fine to me.... Maybe I'm just a dum@$$

fmartin_gila · Post by **fmartin_gila** » October 7, 2009, 8:12 am

I think I would stay away from just using washers. You would be straining the area around the hole to an extent they could not handle and you would eventually lose a wheel without the solid backing of a spacer plate.

Fred

Hawkrod · Post by **Hawkrod** » October 7, 2009, 9:13 am

Individual washers is a bad idea as it reduces the wheel contact area to only those spots. Wheels do flex and in a turn can rub more than while going straight and reducing the wheel to hub contact area allows more flex which can cause fatigue issues. Use a full spacer and as long as the wheel stud sticks completely through the lug nut (assuming open ended nuts) you are fine. If you are using a closed end nut the nut should engage the stud by the diameter of the stud (if you have 1/2 inch studs the lug nut should screw on at least 1/2 inch etc...). Hawkrod

61 Merc · Post by **61 Merc** » October 7, 2009, 9:46 am

cdherman wrote:I'd charge more for the trouble of finding them than the spacers themselves.....

It is about time you got the shop cleaned out anyhow.

Dean

Tech · Post by **Tech** » October 7, 2009, 11:37 pm

What is the reason for everyone wanting to minimize the offset down to the last 1/8". Slicks look good with the wheel well filled up. Buy the 1/2" spacers and enjoy. The added offset will probably let it turn easier as well. Assuming no power steering.
Tech

BarnieTrk · Post by **BarnieTrk** » October 8, 2009, 8:35 am

tech wrote:What is the reason for everyone wanting to minimize the offset down to the last 1/8". Slicks look good with the wheel well filled up. Buy the 1/2" spacers and enjoy. The added offset will probably let it turn easier as well. Assuming no power steering.
Tech

I agree, I like the look of "decent-sized" tires on a slick; but picking a spacer size also will depend on what wheel/tire combination Don wants to run . Some folks want to slam their truck and run small, short tires while other folks want to lift their Slick and give it that extreme 4x4 look.

For example - in my situation with my wheel/tire combination, a 1/2" of spacer could cause problems. I've got fairly large, wheels (16.5" x 8.25") and 9.50R-16.5LT/D tires, and I think if I was to move my wheel/tire out 1/2" via a spacer, it would cause the tire to hit/rub on the top of the fender at the wheel opening when in a turn.

The OP, Don, said he's dealing with 'stock rims' but didn't say what size they are (there were different size rims that could be factory) nor did he mention what tire size he wants to run. As ICEMAN, suggested, "the backspacing of the wheel and /or tire size is the contributing factor in rubbing the tire on anything while turning."

So by adding a spacer may help with Don's issue of caliper clearance, but depending on his particular wheel/tire combination, it may cause rubbing issues elsewhere...... So, I'm just suggesting that there is not a universal answer to his question without having more information from Don.

BarnieTrk

64Ranger · Post by **64Ranger** » October 8, 2009, 1:58 pm

Hey Grits...that was me who used 1/2" washers to get the proper thickness needed of the spacer...I did not use them as the permanent spacer. I used an 3/8" spacer and did not need to get longer studs. I will post a picture if I can find it. My issue was also interference between the caliper and stock wheel.

If you don't have a clearance problem with caliper and the wheel going straight, I agree that you probably will not have a problem with the turns.

Good Luck,

Gritsngumbo · Post by **Gritsngumbo** » October 8, 2009, 2:04 pm

64Ranger wrote:Hey Grits...that was me who used 1/2" washers to get the proper thickness needed of the spacer...I did not use them as the permanent spacer. I used an 3/8" spacer and did not need to get longer studs. I will post a picture if I can find it. My issue was also interference between the caliper and stock wheel. If you don't have a clearance problem with caliper and the wheel going straight, I agree that you probably will not have a problem with the turns. Good Luck,

Yeah, that was you. I kept your PM for the longest time and then it disappeared (or I deleted it by mistake). I thought I remembered that you use the washers to measure then had a friend cut down a 1/2 inch spacer to fit. I anticipate a problem as most who have done the disc conversions with the old style "Innie" wheels have run into it.

tbritt · Post by **tbritt** » October 8, 2009, 3:02 pm

IMO if they clear while spinning the tire and wheel they should be fine ,if they rub while turning you have a bigger problem...my

fmartin_gila · Post by **fmartin_gila** » October 9, 2009, 9:05 am

The other way is as I did, just use later wheels with the different drop center to clear the calipers. Depends on what you want as an end result, and each of us has to decide which way we want to go. For a while I ran 15X8 spoke rims on mine with 255 X15 tires, appearance wise seemed to fill the wheelwells better, but I sure liked the steering better when I went to the later stock wheels with 235 rubber on.

Fred

Gritsngumbo · Post by **Gritsngumbo** » October 9, 2009, 9:10 am

fmartin_gila wrote:The other way is as I did, just use later wheels with the different drop center to clear the calipers. Depends on what you want as an end result, and each of us has to decide which way we want to go. For a while I ran 15X8 spoke rims on mine with 255 X15 tires, appearance wise seemed to fill the wheelwells better, but I sure liked the steering better when I went to the later stock wheels with 235 rubber on. Fred

Think the problem only occurs when you want to use the original "innie" wheels(for an original look). If you use the later "outie" wheels there's no problem with the caliper rub.

don luster · Post by **don luster** » October 12, 2009, 12:02 pm

sORRY I was unable to post a thanks for your imput about the spacers. Yes I called summit and they sent me a 1/4 inch spacer and its works great. My computer has a grudge against me lately. It will not let me sign in I got kicked off a couple of times for going over the 5 time limit trying to change my pass word. Still does not work completyely. Would not let me change it to something I can remember when I go to profile. What is going on with my computer or board. I didnt see the correct spacers for my 5 on 5.5 but they had them thanks again Don

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