Stupid rim and tire combo question, I GOTTA find this out!

[85cut420]

Hey yall, I just finished rim shopping and found a deal of a lifetime. Here goes:

4 18" Player chrome spoke wheels (18"x8.5"), 4.5" BS
4 Michelin Energy 235/55/R18 tires, 75% tread still on there.

Let's just say 1 rim and 1 new tire retail for what I am paying for 4 rims and tires.

My question: Can I get away with just slapping these on my 85 Cutty with no spacers front and back? And if not, what size spacers do I need, and for both front and rear, or just the rear?

I REALLY need to find this out, my mechanic will only let me use his lift for 1 hour (his lunch), and I have to balance the tires and perform an alignment, so I won't have time to go buy spacers if I find out I need them, but I can stop and get them on my way there if needed.

Thanks in advance.

 

[chevy2480]

Re: Stupid rim and tire combo question, I GOTTA find this ou

In my opinion i wouldnt run a 18" wheel with a spacer unless it was a bolt on spacer. With that offset i would say minimum spacer would be 3/4" thick. With that thickness you have almost no threads on studs to feel safe with. A bolt on spacer would give you a whole nother set of wheel studs.
And that would be on front and back.

 

[jrm81bu]

Re: Stupid rim and tire combo question, I GOTTA find this ou

The rims should fit fine, but that's a pretty tall tire for the front. There may be some rubbing issues.

 

[85cut420]

Re: Stupid rim and tire combo question, I GOTTA find this ou

The rims should fit fine, but that's a pretty tall tire for the front. There may be some rubbing issues.

How bad, jrm? I test fitted 22x10 rims with 265/35/22s, they rubbed badly if you turned the wheel 1/2way to either side. That rim/tire combo had a 2" higher OD than my 18s I just bought. If it will only rub at full lock, I don't mind, I barely ever go full lock anyway. But if it'll rub at less than full lock, what can I do, short of different tires or lift? The 18s are in my garage ready to get put on tomorrow, and I really don't want to lift my car.

 

[jrm81bu]

Re: Stupid rim and tire combo question, I GOTTA find this ou

By my count the 18's are just over an inch shorter than the 22's you had. Figure that's only a half inch of raduis different and it sounds like possible trouble. However the offset of the 22's could have made the rubbing worse. Worst case, you could get shorter tire for the front and have extras for the rear.

 

[85cut420]

Re: Stupid rim and tire combo question, I GOTTA find this ou

By my count the 18's are just over an inch shorter than the 22's you had. Figure that's only a half inch of raduis different and it sounds like possible trouble. However the offset of the 22's could have made the rubbing worse. Worst case, you could get shorter tire for the front and have extras for the rear.

Gotcha, well at least I don't need adapters, but I might need tires... Guess I'll find out for sure tomorrow...

 

[jrm81bu]

Re: Stupid rim and tire combo question, I GOTTA find this ou

Be sure to let us know how it goes. And pictures are never a bad thing, lol.

 

[85cut420]

Re: Stupid rim and tire combo question, I GOTTA find this ou

So I put the rims on today. Word of advice: NEVER buy knock-off spokes (separate adapters that the rims bolt onto), and if you do and they are not brand new, buy a can of WD40 before you even try to put them on, as you WILL need it.

Anyway, the backs fit perfectly, the fronts were rubbing at full lock just as jrm mentioned. I was able to roll the fender on the passenger side to where there is no rubbing, but the driver's side fender would only roll about a half inch, so it still rubs at full lock a little. I drove over 50 miles today with the rims and did not have them rub once (I'd feel it, right under my left foot, lol), and I was driving like I normally drive.

I balanced the tires and did an alignment as I put the combo on. All I can say is it rides like a Bentley now (my dad has one, I know how they ride). No pulling, no vibration, no BS my factory steelies with 10 year old tires, half of them with bubbles were presenting me with.

I did not get home till dark as I had to do another alignment for my mechanic for taking an extra hour on his lift getting the rims to fit their factory adapters as they had mad rust on them, nothing a little scrubbing with an air brush and a LOT of WD40 would not fix. So no pix today, but I'll post some tomorrow or thursday (forecast is rain all day tom.)

Overall, I am very happy with the result, especially considering that I paid what 2 of these Michelins run new for 4 rims and tires with 60% tread. And the car rides a lot better and has a nicer, meaner stance to it.

Thanks for all the help. I'll have new pix with the rims on in a day or 2.

 

[jrm81bu]

Re: Stupid rim and tire combo question, I GOTTA find this ou

Glad it worked out for ya.

 

[85cut420]

Got fresh pix with rims on

I was able to snap a couple pix of my car with the rims on today. Check my latest album as the pix are apparently too big to fit on here. Thanks for all the advice.