Rotated tires today, and rims were LITERALLY .010" from the calipers!!! These are 06 GT Bullitt rims on an 05 V6 Convertible. The outer edge of the caliper was just barely not touching the inside of the rim. I noticed this a while back but it was approx 1/16" gap, but after rotate today, right at a tight .010". SO....went and bought 5/16" spacers for the front from AutoZone, and now have plenty of space. But, should I put spacers on the rear as well? you can't really see the difference, and personally, I figured the drive wheels should not be messed with, but I wanted to get input from you guys either way.
When I put Granada disc on my Falcon the cheap aftermarket rim would barely scrap the caliper in one spot every time the wheel made a 360*. I took a die grinder to the caliper. As long as the caliper to rim has clearance then it’s good as snuff. I’m not a big fan of any wheel spacers to make things work. To me I think spacers are not addressing the real problem…only hiding the problem.
Yes, but what is the problem? Ford Mustang wheels on a Ford Mustang. I was told there may be rubbing on the wheel on full chock in the wheel well, which it does (DID, before I added these spacers). I am wondering why the 17" wheels fit fine, and the 18" wheels are such a tight fit. Here is the car and the rims, just in case I am calling them the wrong thing. I assume these are the Bullitt rims.
The problem is the wheels were mass produced and the out of round tolerance is not dead on 0.000 Hit the calipter a time or two with a file where its rubbing. As long as it doesn't say "shee...shee...shee" when spin the wheel you are good to go. The calipter turns with the wheel. Sounds like you need take a BFH to the wheel well. Don't know about a Maverick with 17's but 15's and 17's will work on a Falcon and 16's don't. Ain't heard of 18's on a Falcon (yet). Maybe someone else will jump in who came be better help than me on this issue.
I have, of course. But I never find "correct" answers until I come here, for Ford, Dodge, or Linux. So far, they have asked for my exact rim size as cast inside the rim, and then said "Hmmmmmm, never seen that before. The 05-10 models should all be the same. I did verify that these rims are from an 08 GT, not an 06. But main question is not rim related as much as will the front wheels being set out more than the back affect ANYTHING? Should I use spacers on the back, as well, to keep everything even, or am I just overthinking everything, like always, and it won't make a difference if the front wheels are out a bit, like a Can-Am...
No it should not make a difference. Infact many of the 1/2 ton 4 wheel drive trucks ran/run wider axles in the front then the rear atleast in the 60's and 70's. My old 72 half ton had an 2 inch different between the axles from the factory. I have heard they did this because it helps them track better, but it might also be the different manufacturers axles because usually fronts were dana 44s and rears were manufacturers axles, ford 9", gm corprate 12/14, amc 20 ect ect...
Having wider front track than the rear actually does improve tracking and handling dynamics according to a chassis engineering book I read a while back. The wheel issue is curious but if it's not actually making contact, I wouldn't run a spacer. The 05-up Mustangs, LS's, 02-up T-birds all run very tight tolerances from the caliper to the wheel. Did you happen to replace the front pads recently? That would also push the caliper out further than with some wear on the pads.
No, stock pads. Which also had me worrying, if I ever swapped them out, it would stop the wheel. I actually spun the wheel while up on jack stands, and stuck a screwdriver in between the pad and caliper and LIGHTLY twisted and it locked up the wheel. Before the rotate, the previous rim was tight, by my standards, but I had about 1/16" clearance, which was scary. But when rear tire came forward this time around, I thought it was rubbing, so I started to stick feeler gauges in there, and never went in until .010, and even then it was tight! I would rather run the spacers and not have to worry. Would rather have 1/4" ones, for that extra lug thread or two.
I wouldnt worry about the spacers,think off all the guys running late model wheels on thier mavs and mustangs. As long as you have good thread engagement,no worries. if you want them on the back for cosmetics go for it
If it is just cosmetic, then I will live without em. As long as it isn't going to affect the handling or cause the tires to wear oddly, or something like that.
Just because a lot of people do something doesn't mean it's the right thing to do. Ain't gonna go into the if you see someone jumping off a building story here. More to spacers than slapping one between the hub and wheel. See http://www.gt40s.com/forum/gt40-tec...-spacers-good-bad-dangerous-2.html#post278153
C'mon, we are talking about a 6 cylinder convertible mustang used to drive from home to school, approximately 5 miles each way. Not used for drag racing or autocross. I seriously doubt the spacers will cause the car to become dangerous by way of shearing the studs. I was only concerned with handling and tire wear, if by some chance the 5/16" movement out compared to the rear tires. I paid big bucks for those tires, and if shoving them out will cause them to wear unevenly or relatively quickly, I would find some better way to fix the problem.
