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How little space is enough?


billpatterson

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Hi

What is the smallest practical space between rim/wheel and pitman arms? I ask because the wheels my lovely wife bought me for my Birthday are 15 x 7 (thats good!) with an et30. The rear wheels fit fine...but I have about 1-2 mm between the rims and the pitman arms. I do have 2-3 mm of extra stud (when using factory lug nuts to mount rims). I am debating between 1/8" spacer from Ireland Engineering or exchanging wheels for a et25.

Any advice would be great!

Regards

Bill

'73 Bavaria, '80 Land Rover Series 2a, '71 2002, '69 2002, '74 3.0s

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That's on the tight side of OK.

If it's the rim, you're probably ok,

unless you track it. And then it would maybe touch

if your bearings opened up a little.

Or you whacked a curb or something.

I have added a 1/8" spacer when I measured what you have,

and had no problems.

however,

I found that, if it was the tires, (in this case, 13"s)

if I couldn't squeeze my pinkie between

the tire and the rod end, it'd touch under hard cornering.

I just mic'ed my pinkie at 8mm.

hth,

t

"I learn best through painful, expensive experience, so I feel like I've gotten my money's worth." MattL

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With a 15" wheel its close to spot on in line with the lip of the rim , mine on a road car without a spacer miss by 5 mm . As Toby said any bearing play with 1 - 2 mm clearance it would probably touch but id say that where it would touch you would hear it . Id go for a small spacer, try it and keep an eye on it for touching the rim.

72/2002 Inca

72tii/2002 "Apple"

70/2002 "Five "

73/2002 "Freeda"

2007 Lotus 7 Replica

2011 Ford xr6 Ute

85 E30 325

70 1600-2 "Orange"

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Thanks for the replies!

After dinner, I'll simulate the 1/8" spacer, take and post the photos.

Are there any other areas or parts in the front and/or rear fenders that may rub with this configuration? The tire size will be either 195/50 or 185/60.

Ps. I'm seeking this info since it is challenging to estimate without the rubber on the rims.

Regards

Bill

'73 Bavaria, '80 Land Rover Series 2a, '71 2002, '69 2002, '74 3.0s

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Rear inner fenderwell it can rub (if you look straight on at the wheel the area behind it). It can also rub on the front shock towers, front fender lip, and footwells up front. My ET24 wheels rub on the footwell.

-Nathan
'76 2002 in Malaga (110k Original, 2nd Owner, sat for 20 years and now a toy)
'86 Chevy K20 (6.2 Turbo Diesel build) & '46 Chevy 2 Ton Dump Truck
'74 Suzuki TS185, '68 BSA A65 Lightning (garage find), '74 BMW R90S US Spec #2

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With the 195/50 tyre with standard suspension , you will be ok on the rear, you will be ok on your shock towers, You will touch the front wall of the footwell, but only on 3/4 to full lock (wont be an issue), You may find it will touch on one side but not on the other . Also maybe lower front valance edge at full lock.Other that that you should be fine .

72/2002 Inca

72tii/2002 "Apple"

70/2002 "Five "

73/2002 "Freeda"

2007 Lotus 7 Replica

2011 Ford xr6 Ute

85 E30 325

70 1600-2 "Orange"

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Well...the pictures are a funny order. If in the order I meant,

- you'll see the extra threads available on the studs on the new wheels

- the space between the pitman arm or the strut tube and the wheel (without spacer)---squeak!

- the space between the pitman arm or the strut tube and the wheel (with 1/8" spacer)---maybe enough space?

After that exercise, I'm leaning towards exchanging the wheels for et25.

Anymore thoughts or comments?

Regards

Bill

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'73 Bavaria, '80 Land Rover Series 2a, '71 2002, '69 2002, '74 3.0s

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If you have the option of changing to ET 25 do it . Your clearance on pitman arm with spacer is ok and looks like your ok on wheel stud threads as well.

72/2002 Inca

72tii/2002 "Apple"

70/2002 "Five "

73/2002 "Freeda"

2007 Lotus 7 Replica

2011 Ford xr6 Ute

85 E30 325

70 1600-2 "Orange"

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Thanks Tim!

Are you saying exchange for et25 or are you saying the spacer option is ok (therefore no need to exchange for et25)? Just wanna be clear before I spend money on shipping back.

Regards

Bill

'73 Bavaria, '80 Land Rover Series 2a, '71 2002, '69 2002, '74 3.0s

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If it was me, I'd be happy with the spacer.

I wouldn't run them without it.

But I'm very spacer- tolerant, as in, I don't think there's anything

wrong with them.

The extra 3mm space on the outside is sometimes really nice to have,

and as you say, shipping's not free anymore.

But at this point, it's up to you.

no help here,

t

"I learn best through painful, expensive experience, so I feel like I've gotten my money's worth." MattL

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Thanks for that, Toby

No...your comments are very helpful! I've only run 13s previously so the tight quarters of 15x7s and potential rubbing issues are unknown.

Do you know of any issues with 15x7 et 35 on the back? My suspension set up is HR Sports and Bilstein Sports all around using Dot 1 rear bottom spacers with standard top spacers. In the front, I have removed the cast spacer, and used heater hose as the spring spacers top and bottom.

Any thoughts on tire size? They will be either 195/50 or 185/60.

Thanks again!

Bill

'73 Bavaria, '80 Land Rover Series 2a, '71 2002, '69 2002, '74 3.0s

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et 35? in first post you said et 30. 35 is too much imho.

i have no problem with spacers, just that they lead to other changes like going to longer studs. stock 02 studs are pretty short. any more than a 2-3mm spacer and you should use longer ones.

if you change to 25mm et, do it for all four wheels.

2xM3

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