Center caps on aftermarket wheels

[MadOx75]

I've seen this mentioned by a few folks in here and in the Altima forums. Apparently when you install some aftermarket wheels, the center caps don't like to go back on. Well, I've run into that problem. I decided to go with the 18" Nissan Accessory Altima wheels in exchange for my stock wheels. Honestly, I don't know why they don't work because the wheel sites all say that the offset can be 34-45mm, and these wheels are 45mm. I've searched for some kind of domed Nissan center caps, but no luck. So I guess other than ditching the wheels, my only option is going to be some 5mm wheel spacers so that the damn cap will fit, right? And with a 5mm spacer, am I going to need to have longer lugs installed, or will there be enough torque on them even short the 5mm?

[MadOx75]

Well the wheel place got a 5/16" spacer that they put on the front, and that made it so the caps would go on. Its just a universal spacer, with a large space for the wheel studs to go through, like this . The guy said that he was able to tighten the wheels down enough that they'll be fine, but I'm not happy with leaving it that way. Whether its my imagination or not, it feels like there is a bit of a shimmy. But anway, I want to get something better and more permanent. I'm figuring on either Ichiba or H&R spacers. I have to look at the wheels though - if they're flat and I have to replace the studs, I'm just going go with the 10mm. If the wheels have the little notches so that I can get away with the Version II Ichiba spacers, I'll go with the smallest of those, which is 15mm. The wheels look fantastic on the Rogue, I just want to get them on there the right way.

[philipa_240sx]

I had the same problem when I fitted aftermarket wheels to my Altima. The hubcaps would not go on. Fortunately, I was getting them fitted a local tire dealer and he agreed to take the wheels back and try another model that did fit. No cost to me thankfully.

Another Rogue owner here had the same issue trying to fit OEM Infiniti wheels to his Rogue.

The problem is some FWD Nissan's have very long axle bolts. The ones on the Rogue are easily 2" past the face of the rotor. It makes fitting any wheel difficult. Not sure why Nissan does this...

[MadOx75]

Not that I would go this route for warranty and safety issues (I'd rather spend the $125 on the Ichiba wheel spacers), but could you theoretically cut an half inch off of them? They truly don't seem to have any real need to be that long...

[Eikon]

Yes, theoretically, you could cut off half an inch from the end.. But I'll caution you. Anytime you cut a threaded bolt you run a major risk of messing up the threads and making it hard or impossible to remove or replace the axle nut.

[Nick 568]

Not necessarily advising cutting it, but a hand-held horizontal bandsaw is great for cutting threaded rods/bolts without messing up the threads.

[philipa_240sx]

Uh, cutting the spindle/axle is a bad idea...

There is a split pin about a 1/4" from the end. It's a safety mechanism to keep the axle retaining nut from backing off which could result in a lost wheel! Cutting anything will result in it's removal.

[MadOx75]

Trust me, as much as cutting it sounded like a quick fix, there's no way I was going to cut the axle. I bought a pair of 15mm Ichiba hubcentric spacers with pressed studs. With those, worse case scenario is I have to cut the stock studs so they're flush with the spacer, and that's only if the Altima wheel is solid on the back. I'd much rather cut studs which can be easily cheaply replaced than the drive axle.

[philipa_240sx]

MaxOx75,

Another option was to replace the studs entirely. They are pressed in from behind the axle. The thread is is 12mm x 1.25mm.

You can get longer wheel studs from mfg's like ARP http://www.arp-bolts.com/ (Subaru fitment) and Peak Performance http://www.peak-performance.net/

[MadOx75]

I finally got the 15mm Ichiba spacers I ordered. Thankfully when I took off the wheel, they did have the voids so I don't have to cut the existing studs. I tightened on the spacers, but the wheels back on, and everything looks and drives fantastically.

[harryg]

I finally got the 15mm Ichiba spacers I ordered. Thankfully when I took off the wheel, they did have the voids so I don't have to cut the existing studs. I tightened on the spacers, but the wheels back on, and everything looks and drives fantastically.

PICS NAO!!!
lets see how far they pushed out the wheels...

[MadOx75]

lol, it's a bit dark out there, but I'll try to get some tomorrow, if the rain lets up a bit.

[MadOx75]

I took two quick pics today. It was freakin' pouring outside (Still is), but I grabbed these on my way in from lunch at work today...

http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/ae54 ... acers2.jpg

http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/ae54 ... pacers.jpg

[SenorPayne7]

bump it!!!

how did the spacers turn out? I've been thinking of getting some Ichiba spacers on my back wheels

[MadOx75]

bump it!!!

how did the spacers turn out? I've been thinking of getting some Ichiba spacers on my back wheels

10K miles or so later, and all is well. I just rotated the tires for the first time since putting them on, and haven't noticed any shimmy or problems. My Nissan dealer just did the state inspection Friday and said that the front wheels seem to have a bit more wear on the outer edge than the back, but I really didn't notice. I may get spacers for the rear just to even everything out, but we'll see.

[SenorPayne7]

can you post some pictures of the front from straight on? i really want to see how that looks

[MadOx75]

I'll try to grab some pics when I'm out to lunch later. It really isn't a very noticeable difference at all.

can you post some pictures of the front from straight on? i really want to see how that looks

[MadOx75]

I just saw someone posting about these wheels on the Rogue, so I figured I'd check in and say that they definitely fit right on, but the center caps are the issue. I threw the small Ichiba spacers on the front to offset them a little bit. If its nice tomorrow, I'll go clean the darn thing and take some pics of the car from the side.