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Just attempted to fit my new wheels to my S4 (B5).
Sadly the back edges of the spokes just touch the calipers [img]images/graemlins/033102bad_1_prv.gif[/img]

A bit annoying as they have the same offset (45mm), but I guess the extra half inch (8.0") and the slight dishing makes it all a bit tight [img]images/graemlins/062802beat_prv.gif[/img]

Anyone know if it is OK to fit small wheel spacers (approx. 3mm), and also where to buy them ? I tried some thick washers (approx 2.5mm) and they give just enough clearance.

Oh yeah - the wheels are S4 (B6) standard issue - 8.0*18 ET45 with 235 tyres. They looked the business but sadly wouldn't turn

I'm gonna drown my sorrows now [img]images/graemlins/062802drink_prv.gif[/img]

Thanks in advance for any advice

What? B6 wheels don't fit over the B5 brakes? Or do you have a big break kit? I am puzzled

I have standard brakes. The outside edge of the caliper just touches the wheel - 3mm seems to be enough to clearance it.

Wheel speacers are you only option. NO problem using them unless u go a bit daft with the thickness. 3mm should be available quite easily allowing u to use ur original bolts.
Try to buy CNC machined ones for that perfect finish rather than cast ones as ive heard they can cause a bit of problems.

Be very careful with bolt lengths.

I had some 18" OZ wheels fitted earlier this year. OZ recommended a bolt for use on my specific car (No spacers fitted). It was the wrong length and only provided 3 mm engagement in the hub because no allowance had been made for the thickness of the brake disk flange. Also worrying was the fact that they had the wrong seating shape on the bolt to suit the wheel (tapered instead of spherical). Luckily, I check these things as I never trust garages. I have been a recipient of some really dangerous garage work (steering rack not attached properly was the worst and that was main dealer!)- guess all of the staff were trained in the mid west wearing stetsons!!!

3 mm spacers should be fine. One thing you have to ensure with spacers is that the hub centre boss locates properly in the wheel. Ford owners used to fit pugeot wheels to be different - bolt pitch is the same but the hub centres don't match and I have seen many of these applications shearing the wheel bolts due to the lack of the comprehension of mechanical issues. Pukka thick spacers are machined with location for the existing hub boss and also feature a machined boss at the other end to locate in the wheel. Furthest I have taken flat spacers is 6 mm on the Audi S2 hubs and 18"OZ vela application. If I need more it will have to be a custom job me thinks (to do it properly as the OZ wheel has a hub bore adaptor which I would eliminate in a proper design).

What a rant!!

Lee

Cheers fellas.
Plan A: It would seem that a 3mm spacer may be OK as the hub centre protrudes further than that according to Kim Collins. I will need to check this.
Plan B: AMD have 5mm spacers that apparantly replicate the hub centre.

Plan A costs about £3 a wheel for a pressure cast universal spacer using the existing wheel bolts.

Plan B costs about £45 a wheel for a billet spacer including new wheel bolts, plus they won't sell them without fitting them so more labour costs [img]images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

I have been trying to ascertain whether or not the wheels will still be inside the arches with the extra width and spacers. Anyone got any experience of 8" wheels with ET45 on an S4 ? Mine have 235 tyres, and will obviously have at least another 3mm added.

The hub centre protrudes further on mine too but the hole in the OZ wheel has a huge chamfer on so it won't engage properly over around 6 or 8mm spacer thickness.

Another thing to consider is converting to wheel studs. I did this conversion and it makes putting wheels on and off much easier without clouting the caliper with the wheel's spokes. The studs are cheap and available in any length and hold the spacers in place too leaving you less things to worry about engaging. My McGuard locking nut is a Subaru item as it has the right thread diameter/pitch and seat shape. Luvvly jubbly.

Cheers

Lee

Oh yeah, I use those pressure cast universal spacers and they are fine.

OK. I tried some 3mm universal spacers this evening and they appear to do the trick. I did find they are also required on the rear to get the tyre to clear the upper suspension arm.
Which leads me to another question - how much clearance is required on these components ? I am guessing with the wheels spinning fast and the temperatures up the tyre probably expands a bit which could leave it all a bit marginal on the rear [img]images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

It looks like 3mm is perfect on the front (tyres still inside bodywork - just [img]images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]) but I will need longer bolts as they only have about 4 full turns in.
The rear looks a little tight with 3 mm so I am going to try 5mm which again puts the wheel just inside the body. Even more need here for longer bolts though.

Anyhow, I had my first drive with the new wheels on one side and old ones on the other - just up the road to ensure things clearanced and to get the overall look of the thing in my mind. No rubbing (low speed at low speeds), and it looks awesome. Even though they are only one inch bigger they look huge in comparison, Just need to get two more spacers now for the back and my longer bolts - then I'll post some piccies if anyone is interested [img]images/graemlins/boots.gif[/img]

Yeah...post some pics... [img]images/graemlins/s4anogaro.gif[/img]

PICs are always good. [img]images/graemlins/thumbs.gif[/img]

This may not apply but check the front wheel/tyre clearance with the wing on compresion of the suspension. I'm not sure how you could actual do this other than 'eyeballing' it. If worryingly close you might consider rigging up something to jack under the wheel BE VERY CAREFUL though!! I did this very easily with the wheel removed on tightening my front suspension.

Digging up an old thread here to clarify (I hope) a few things, I fitted B6 alloys (purchased from Russboy here, thank you) yesterday.

One of the reasons that some people get clearence problems is that as the brake pads wear the calipers move inwards thus enabling the wheels to clear.

Instead of fitting spacers another option is to grind the calipers to shave a few mm off, I loosened the calipers to their max width and checked the clearance (just not enough), minutes later with the angle grinder the clearence was fine.

These are the fronts obviously. The back wheels had miles of clearence.

Will try to post some pics at some point

I have the B6 S4 alloys on my car and you really need 5mm spacers all around... (I presume they are all 8inch)

When you install new disc and pads you will find that 3mm will not be enough at the front... unless your car has the newest caliper design. (I think there are 3 different types)

I would not trust universal spacers, I had them on for a month, then got some proper items... and of course you will need longer bolts... in theory you would need 5mm longer bolts, so 33mm but I think you can only get 32 or 35 and the 35's are too long and will require grinding down...

3mm or 5mm H&R Spacers

Where can you get longer wheel bolts from ??

The same website I link to above sells bolts... but you have to go hunting around for the correct size... and taper.... cos they only list the correct ones for a standard car......

If you look at the honda civic, there is a 60 degree 32mm bolt available for them.... but you better do the checking to make sure they is the size needed, as I am not sure!

I got my bolts from Phil Walker on here....

I've just tried to fit my BBS LM reps (ET35) and they have clearance issues too. I do have universal 10mm spacers but the wheel bolts aren't long enough.