thoughts on spacers?

well i have some clearances issues with my calipers. They clear the wheel by maybe a couple thousanths. Obviously, thats not good when they are aluminum. I have ARP studs, so is there any reason a spacer woulnt solve my problem?

---

First Rally: 2010 First RallyX: 2004 (a bunch)
Driver (0), Co-Driver (7)
Organizer (3), Volunteer (3)
Cars Built (2.5), Engines Blown (2) Cages Built (0) # of rotations (3.5)
Last Updated, Apr 9, 2023

spacers and judicious use of this:


I'd suggest 36 grit disc to start, finish with 120.

---

John Vanlandingham
Sleezattle, WA, USA

Vive le Prole-le-ralliat

www.rallyrace.net/jvab
CALL +1 206 431-9696
Remember! Pacific Standard Time
is 3 hours behind Eastern Standard Time.

what would i be grinding?

---

First Rally: 2010 First RallyX: 2004 (a bunch)
Driver (0), Co-Driver (7)
Organizer (3), Volunteer (3)
Cars Built (2.5), Engines Blown (2) Cages Built (0) # of rotations (3.5)
Last Updated, Apr 9, 2023

the calipers cant be ground down. the little crossover on the front of the four pistons have no material to grind down until you ruin it.

---

First Rally: 2010 First RallyX: 2004 (a bunch)
Driver (0), Co-Driver (7)
Organizer (3), Volunteer (3)
Cars Built (2.5), Engines Blown (2) Cages Built (0) # of rotations (3.5)
Last Updated, Apr 9, 2023

Sean ran 10 mm or so spacers on the Merkur.

I remember an open class Audi rally car once with Alcons that were ground down from touching the wheel. The driver said, "yeah, it was a tight fit, but I figured they'd machine themselves down." He'd taken 2nd overall at the rally.

---

Grant Hughes

the spot that touches doesnt lend me that option... so spacers sound good to go then! thats good to hear.

---

First Rally: 2010 First RallyX: 2004 (a bunch)
Driver (0), Co-Driver (7)
Organizer (3), Volunteer (3)
Cars Built (2.5), Engines Blown (2) Cages Built (0) # of rotations (3.5)
Last Updated, Apr 9, 2023

Quote
Gravity Fed
the calipers cant be ground down. the little crossover on the front of the four pistons have no material to grind down until you ruin it.

Ah the notorious crossover bump.... 3rd gen don't have it..

Spacer then.

---

John Vanlandingham
Sleezattle, WA, USA

Vive le Prole-le-ralliat

www.rallyrace.net/jvab
CALL +1 206 431-9696
Remember! Pacific Standard Time
is 3 hours behind Eastern Standard Time.

Depending on HOW much it hits, a bit of judicious "clearancing" of the wheel spokes will work as well. Location where the rub is, thickness/sturdiness of spokes, and amount necessary to remove all factor into whether or not I'd hit it with the grinder or not.

Your angle-grinder Skillzorz are also a bit of a factor. If your grind-aftermath looks like you dragged the metal parts on a rope behind your pickup down the Interstate, you should probably refrain from this method...

---

Parfois, on fait pas semblant!

I am:
I know:
I am from:

Nobody.
Nothing.
Nowhere.

Grant, 25mm H&R spacers on the front to clear the coils. I think the secret is spending the money on quality spacers. The H&R's are hub centric, so supported by the hub, not just the studs. ARP long studs too.

Grinding an alumium caliper??? Grind the wheel too! Just run hub centric spacers, nothing wrong with that.

I have run non hub centric spacers on the rally car without issue. Heck my rally wheels are not even hub centric. I am running ARP wheel studs so they a bit stronger the OEM ones. Only I issue I have had is that car started eating lower ball joints when I went to the spacer but I was also running a larger tires so I could have been a combination of the two things causing more leverage on the ball joint.

Quote
Andrew_Frick
I have run non hub centric spacers on the rally car without issue. Heck my rally wheels are not even hub centric. I am running ARP wheel studs so they a bit stronger the OEM ones. Only I issue I have had is that car started eating lower ball joints when I went to the spacer but I was also running a larger tires so I could have been a combination of the two things causing more leverage on the ball joint.

Must have been the tires. According to the engineers, spacers are fine...

---

Grant Hughes

With spacers, remember to do something to keep them from sticking to the wheel.

Nothing like changing a flat tire on stage only to have the brakes fail a mile down the road.

I ran 8mm spacers on my VW to correct for the increased offset of the Audi wheels. Never had any issues.

Quote
phlat65
Grant, 25mm H&R spacers on the front to clear the coils. I think KNOW the secret is spending the money on quality spacers. The H&R's are hub centric, so supported by the hub, not just the studs. ARP long studs too.

H&R is the way to go, we run the 25mms at all 4 corners. AND yes, anti-seize the SH!T outta the wheel side, not a horrible idea to order 6, and keep 1 in the car, just-in-case, and 1 in the tool truck..
ohh, and avoid stacking them when ya take them off the car.. they like to get stuck together.. lesson learned...

---

I be sorry as a muthafucka I did, still sorry I did n' hustled ta peep what tha fuck I holla'd a lil' bit better, or at least try to.