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Wheel spacer doesn't fit 280z front ;(


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Hey all,

bought a pair of wheels with some positive offset, so I got a set of 25mm wheel spacers all around to make them fit. I went with the pair listed at zcardepot: https://zcardepot.com/wheel-spacer-set-pair-1.html

I was hoping this would "ensure" that they fit all around (since zcardepot specializes in z-cars) but alas, the fronts do not. On the front (stock) hub, it seems that rubber-ish (might just be gunk lol) piece sticking out doesn't clear the center bore of the spacer. I need about 1/8" more clearance. See the following pics.

Should I have expected this? Is there just gunk build-up on my car that needs to be cleaned off? What is this rubber extension anyway? Am I screwed unless I get new hubs?

FYI - the wheels themselves have 73.1mm inner bore (~2 7/8") and would likely fit on the hub if they were correct offset. I have to use a hub ring to properly center them on the spacer outer edge.

Gap when fitted:

b8xlD2k.jpg

The center bore appears to be machined out to compensate, but it is just a bit too narrow:

mxpdizV.jpg

OEM wheel has 2 7/8" inner bore:

ziICtIe.jpg

Spacer has 2 5/8" inner bore:

WOTu4W1.jpg

Edited by AlbatrossCafe
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1 hour ago, JSM said:

Geese after all that. I don't know why machining would hurt. Just go a little down and out, but I agree it should fit. 

You want me to measure the ones I have?

Nah, I think I know how much I would need them to bore out. I found there was a machine shop that specializes in auto stuff and especially on wheels so I'll give them a holler and see what they recommend.

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Remove the gunk.  Everything in that area should be steel.  You don't want any gunk between mating surfaces of the wheel and/or adapters.

Verify that it doesn't fit.  

Call zcardepot and get them to send you the right part.  Why accept the wrong part from a zcar "specialist"?

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6 hours ago, Mark N said:

It's hard to tell from the photos but are you sure that rubber extension you mentioned isn't an old spigot ring stuck to the hub?

I don't think so... I scraped off the gunk from that inner bit with a flathead screwdriver and that flathead wasn't getting caught on anything. Plus the previous owner left this car 98% stock so I doubt he would have randomly added a spigot ring (especially for OEM wheels).

Gonna try to really clean off everything really well as @NewZed said and see one more time if I can make it work.

Edited by AlbatrossCafe
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That's weak...  Die grinder?? 

This isn't something new - early Z's have a large front hub. You can fit anything on the rears but the fronts can be a problem for modern spacers and wheels.  Super disappointed that Zcardepot would screw you over like that...

Sakura Garage - Tempe, AZ

Edited by cgsheen
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