dwarlick Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 I bought Ross' Billet '4x4' Aluminum Hub (4 lug) and mounted it on the right side. I also mounted my pretty new SW12 caliper. I then went to mount my pretty new Watanabe RS-8 wheel. When I did I noticed that the wheel was rubbing on the caliper, so I had to use some washers as spacer. I determined that I need about a 5/8" (15mm) spacer. But using a spacer presents a couple of problems: 1st - the wheel is rubbing on the airdam. 2nd - the wheels are 16x9 with a -13 offset. As you know this a common size for S30s with zg flares like I have and now the wheels are not in the proper position. I pulled the caliper off and mounted the wheel with no spacers and it didn't rub the airdam it was really close though. I am looking for ideas on what to do next. I really don't want to change the wheels because I have about $3k in them already. I also don't want to ditch the '4x4' brakes but I will if I have to. I should also mention that tires on the front are 245-45-R16. Picture of the hub and caliper: Picture of the wheel rub: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nismo280zEd Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 I think I would grind on the caliper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LS1 240Z Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 the S12+8 caliper dosent have those ridges on it.. its the calipers i have.. they just BARELY fit my Konig Rewinds.. the face of the caliper is sooo close to the back of the face of the rim but it clears.. i think if you were to get those calipers that it would resolve your problem.. i dont know if you planned on it or not.. but id never try to drive with washers as spacers like that.. i hope you were just using those to estimate how much of a spacer you need.. on a side note. how much did those hubs set you back? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lunar240z Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 Watanabe's also rub with Wilwood calipers, so don't go thinking that would solve your problem, fyi. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwarlick Posted January 15, 2008 Author Share Posted January 15, 2008 Nismo, I'm pretty sure that I won't be able to grind 5/8" without perforating into the cylinder. LS1, I thought the S12+8 would work but when I compared them side by side the S12+8 would only provide about another 1/8 of an inch. I am only using the washers for testing purposes. The hubs and rotors plus shipping were a little over $700. Lunar thanks for the heads up. I was thinking the Wilwoods were gonna be the solution. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S30TRBO Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 I then went to mount my pretty new Watanabe RS-8 wheel. dwarlick, let me enlighten you on the Watanabe wheel game. First of all I got news for you what you have is not Watanabe RS-8 you have R Type Watanabe. Here is a Watanabe RS-8: the wheels are 16x9 with a -13 offset. As you know this a common size for S30s with zg flares like I have.. Incorrect. The most commonly used size for 16" R Type Watanabe's in the front is -6. What you have (-13) needs to go on the rear. If you had 15" you can run up to a -19 (with flares) with no issue. I pulled the caliper off and mounted the wheel with no spacers and it didn't rub the airdam it was really close though. I am looking for ideas on what to do next. I really don't want to change the wheels because I have about $3k in them already. I also don't want to ditch the '4x4' brakes but I will if I have to. I should also mention that tires on the front are 245-45-R16. You should run 225/50 front and 245/45 rear. With your current offset and tire size it will always rub. I would highly advise not to add washers to "space" it out. I don't even like running spacers IMHO. What are you running in the rear, wheel and tires size? PM Austin (240Hoke) is running 16x9 front but I don't know what size tires he is running. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lunar240z Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 Incorrect. The most commonly used size for 16" R Type Watanabe's in the front is -6. What you have (-13) needs to go on the rear. If you had 15" you can run up to a -19 (with flares) with no issue. 240hoke, sr240z, and I all have -13's in the front, and -19's in the rear. so it is a common size. in this situation maybe grinding a little bit off the calipers so you can run a shorter spacer might work, in combination with trimming the airdam a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EMWHYR0HEN Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 As some have mentioned, I would shave off some material from the air dam and maybe the fender. In addition to that I would get an alignment, maybe you have too much positive caster. I would also check out some better spacers like the ones that bold on to the hub ( I think they're called hub-centric spacers..?) or at least something that is flat so that the wheels can lay on the whole surface area and not just the area of 4 or 5 washers. I would be scared of my lugnuts coming loose! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwarlick Posted January 15, 2008 Author Share Posted January 15, 2008 You know, I did notice a little vibration at around 110 M.P.H. J/K. I am only using the washers for test fitting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
240hoke Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 Ouch looks like a pretty bad issue there. I would say perhaps to see how much you can grind off the calipers and use a small spacer. You can definitely space out the wat's a bit and still have plenty of room. I run small spacers on the back to push them out and make them more flush. I am running 245 tires. But I really dunno how much you could take off, maybe a 1/4" that would still leave you with a pretty good sized spacer and a compromised caliper. I might owuld sell you brake setup before you mess it up and god with the wilwoods. i am running them on the rear and don't have any rubbing issues.... its close thats for sure but no rubbing with or without my spacer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwarlick Posted January 15, 2008 Author Share Posted January 15, 2008 If I could remove the piston from the caliper and use a caliper gague to determine how much to grind while measuring the thickness of the body I might consider grinding. But I have no idea how thick the body is and I don't think grinding it blindly is a good idea. Additionally I wouldn't know how to rebuild the caliper if I tore it apart. Austin, what brakes are you running on the front? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S30TRBO Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 240hoke, sr240z, and I all have -13's in the front, and -19's in the rear. so it is a common size. in this situation maybe grinding a little bit off the calipers so you can run a shorter spacer might work, in combination with trimming the airdam a bit. Sorry let me clarify -6 in Japan, whatever you can fit in the States. I meant with his wheel/tire size, I don't think that will work. Now if he put the stock hub on would it work, is the hat taller/thicker? Hanson/ Austin are you running 245/45/16 in the front? BTW how are my old 9.5's Hanson? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LS1 240Z Posted January 16, 2008 Share Posted January 16, 2008 honestly if the S12+8s dont help id either put Willwoods or some other brakes.. so far with the hubs and the wheels it looks like you have a really nice and expensive setup.. i wouldnt try something that might endanger the safty of the car.. know what i mean? you could get the S12+8s and then get a small spacer.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
240hoke Posted January 16, 2008 Share Posted January 16, 2008 I am running 245's all the way around. It really works good you cant tell the the rears are streched a little more unless your really pay attention. Does Somebody have a hookup at a tire company that can turn out some 275 16's for us ?????? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwarlick Posted January 16, 2008 Author Share Posted January 16, 2008 I'm running a Kuhmo V700 265/45/R16. Its an R compound tire but this car is only a weekend car. They fit quite nicely. Hibdon Tire Center had a special price on them like $170. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwarlick Posted January 27, 2008 Author Share Posted January 27, 2008 I got the wheels to seat by grinding the calipers. I know this is not a permanent solution. I was wondering if the 280zx calipers will work with these hubs. ie. is the spacer for zx and 4x4 setups the same. Another thought is that if the caliper was further from the center it would fall in a part of the wheel that has more clearance. I was wondering if the 13" setups from MM or AZC would work with these wheels with no spacers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
280Z Turbo Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 I got the wheels to seat by grinding the calipers. I know this is not a permanent solution. I don't think they'll grow back. I'm going to run the S12+8 calipers with 15x6 snowflakes and I found that with some grinding on the vertical ridge, I only need a 1/4" spacer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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