Hey! Lemme give all of you my info, and you tell me what you think...
I have a 96 240sx se. When I bought the car, the factory rims were curbed badly, and since the tires were bald too, I replaced it all. I put a set of 17'' rims off my wife's 01 maxima se on the 240. I researched and found the rims have identical offsets, so all is well there. But....
Here's the thing...Clearance was fine when I put the 17s on because they already had almost 35k miles on them. I went today to buy tires for the 240(with the 17s on it), and the new 225/50/17s would not fit...too tall. Too much tread. I always thought they were a little narrow anyway...
I bought a set of 235/45/17 and put them on. They were ok heighth-wise, but rubbed the strut on the back of the tire. This is on the front, the rear was totally fine.
The guy had two really cheap cheesey spacers that he said were ''about 1/4'' thick''....They fit my hubs, but are very loose, and move around a lot on the studs before the rims were put back on. Also, they have no center ring for support, so now the rims has no center support at all.
Also, with the spacer, my studs only go about half way into the lug nuts instead of going all the way thru like before. Is this safe? The rims off the maxima have the same center bore diameter as the stock 240 rims. Is there a spacer made that doesn't change the ring size, only extends the existing size? Any suggestions? Tell me what you think....comments. Thanks!!!!
Spacer opinions needed...
Re: Spacer opinions needed... (blu96se)
sooo...instead of putting on, say a 225-45-17 tire that wold probably fit OK..you went a did something that can damage you car...
THEN asked if its OK?
quick lesson in logic:
you ask/find out if something is OK FIRST, then do it...not the other way around. Unless you're trying for a darwin award.
Also, search on spacers, theres umptenth ammounts of threads discussing or involving the subject, one is even still active on this page for cripes sake.YOu obviously did nil reasearch on this before doing it, otherwise you'd have know that the offset number doesnt mean something will clear alone, and a 225-50-17 is far too tall a tire for a 240.
here's the low down:
what you did was bad. in fact, just stupid. BAKA.
you got a few options.
-take the freaking FWD wheels from the maxima OFF THE CAR..you know, since they werent made for it and all. Get stock or better fitment aftermarket wheels (hell, go get some G35 wheels).-get longer studs, and be safe for stud engagement, but still have hib stress, vibration and other problems..and pissibly still shear off the new stud anyways since you used a "washer" spacer....the worst kind.-GO get bolt-on spacers like those from H+R.
baka.-Chet
THEN asked if its OK?
quick lesson in logic:
you ask/find out if something is OK FIRST, then do it...not the other way around. Unless you're trying for a darwin award.
Also, search on spacers, theres umptenth ammounts of threads discussing or involving the subject, one is even still active on this page for cripes sake.YOu obviously did nil reasearch on this before doing it, otherwise you'd have know that the offset number doesnt mean something will clear alone, and a 225-50-17 is far too tall a tire for a 240.
here's the low down:
what you did was bad. in fact, just stupid. BAKA.
you got a few options.
-take the freaking FWD wheels from the maxima OFF THE CAR..you know, since they werent made for it and all. Get stock or better fitment aftermarket wheels (hell, go get some G35 wheels).-get longer studs, and be safe for stud engagement, but still have hib stress, vibration and other problems..and pissibly still shear off the new stud anyways since you used a "washer" spacer....the worst kind.-GO get bolt-on spacers like those from H+R.
baka.-Chet
Re: Spacer opinions needed... (Exar-Kun)
Wow, Chet, you really tried to vent on me there. I came here because I knew there was a huge knowledge base on the 240sx, and I knew there were lots of people here who have 'improvised', either by choice, or necessity, both of which I respect.
When I bought this car, the factory rims were not holding air, some of them anyway.....damaged....no good. I came here then....asking opinions....explaining what the deal was. All the time wanting to know what everyone thought. I got both sides of the spectrum...some said it's no problem, some saying don't do it. At that point, I made a decision...based mainly on available funds, and rims that I already had.
Now, you tell me, the factory se 5-lug rim, and the factory maxima 17'' 5-lug have the exact same bolt pattern, inner center diameter, and identical offsets. Outside of physical appearance, where is the difference that makes this unworkable? I ask, once again, honestly. I am not a pro, and there are plenty of things that I do not know. But, know this, I did enough homework to at least find out the things that I have told you here. Maybe it was not enough....I do not yet know.
I bought tires immediately because my daughter had hit something and knocked the alignment out so badly that in a month, the front tires were ruined. Did anyone tell me? Of course not. Unfortunately, the town I live in has only a few tire shops, and none....none....except one had any 17'' tires period. My daughter has to have this car for school, so I'm thinking....hhmmmm....better do something.
My friend, I don't want darwinism acknowledgements....no rewards needed or wanted. Just opinions on what to do...if this can be made safe. I don't know about you, but I dont' have the money to buy any wheels I want....especially didn't have it when I replaced the wheels off the maxima. These weren't my preference...would have much rather had some nice Volks, but do I let the car sit not driveable, or try to improvise. I tried to get it on the road for my daughter....safely. And I remind you, I came here and asked those who know.
Now, I have had these new tires for less than 24hrs. I have never bought wheels spacers before, but I feel 100% confident that someone here has. I searched thru for spacer threads here, and found lots of info, but why not explain my situation and see if someone knew exactly what I meant? I thought that was what the site was all about. I realize I have made a different type of swap, but help not judgement is what I need now. There were two sizes of 17'' tires that I had a choice to buy, one could not be made to work, and one could...even if initially cruelly. I thought afterwards that I could find out some ideas here.
I appreciate anything you gave me that was honestly helpful, that's what I expected to find here. The rest of that stuff, it's a shame. I really don't know what else to say about it. Thanks to all for any help and honest advice in helping improve on my daughters car.
When I bought this car, the factory rims were not holding air, some of them anyway.....damaged....no good. I came here then....asking opinions....explaining what the deal was. All the time wanting to know what everyone thought. I got both sides of the spectrum...some said it's no problem, some saying don't do it. At that point, I made a decision...based mainly on available funds, and rims that I already had.
Now, you tell me, the factory se 5-lug rim, and the factory maxima 17'' 5-lug have the exact same bolt pattern, inner center diameter, and identical offsets. Outside of physical appearance, where is the difference that makes this unworkable? I ask, once again, honestly. I am not a pro, and there are plenty of things that I do not know. But, know this, I did enough homework to at least find out the things that I have told you here. Maybe it was not enough....I do not yet know.
I bought tires immediately because my daughter had hit something and knocked the alignment out so badly that in a month, the front tires were ruined. Did anyone tell me? Of course not. Unfortunately, the town I live in has only a few tire shops, and none....none....except one had any 17'' tires period. My daughter has to have this car for school, so I'm thinking....hhmmmm....better do something.
My friend, I don't want darwinism acknowledgements....no rewards needed or wanted. Just opinions on what to do...if this can be made safe. I don't know about you, but I dont' have the money to buy any wheels I want....especially didn't have it when I replaced the wheels off the maxima. These weren't my preference...would have much rather had some nice Volks, but do I let the car sit not driveable, or try to improvise. I tried to get it on the road for my daughter....safely. And I remind you, I came here and asked those who know.
Now, I have had these new tires for less than 24hrs. I have never bought wheels spacers before, but I feel 100% confident that someone here has. I searched thru for spacer threads here, and found lots of info, but why not explain my situation and see if someone knew exactly what I meant? I thought that was what the site was all about. I realize I have made a different type of swap, but help not judgement is what I need now. There were two sizes of 17'' tires that I had a choice to buy, one could not be made to work, and one could...even if initially cruelly. I thought afterwards that I could find out some ideas here.
I appreciate anything you gave me that was honestly helpful, that's what I expected to find here. The rest of that stuff, it's a shame. I really don't know what else to say about it. Thanks to all for any help and honest advice in helping improve on my daughters car.
in my opinion i would go somewhere that had proper size tires so that no spacers would be needed. not having the wheel centerees by a hub/ring is just asking for problems. maybe not now but soon. also think about those few threads holding everything on right now. at the very least get some longer studs.
Re: (eddiec)
Yeah, for sure, I agree. I was afraid that if I didn't get something done soon, I was gonna run out of time. I would of had to go to Nashville to get tires to fit without any mods....which I would rather have done....but I don't know who would have had them in stock at that time, so I just went with what I could. Everything here closes at noon on Sat., so I was kinda in a rush. Honestly, these wheels/tires look really good now, but of course I'm uneasy about the center ring and the stud issue. I will address it promptly. Thanks for the input! Nice to meet someone not too far away.
Re: (blu96se)
I vent because I've discussed everything here 5x over.
read the attention sticky. YOu'll have to forgive me if I'm not incredibly enthusiastic about repeating the same debates several times over every few days.
I'm glad to provide the information you need. If you need any more help, let me know. BUt please read the FAQs and stickies first...-Chet
PS: if you want inexpensive wheels that will fit correctly, look no further than the ssearch function, or the "cheap 16" wheels" sticky on here..and if you have a five lug car (which you do, obviously), theres a lot of info on what fits thats inexpensive on here also....just look around.
read the attention sticky. YOu'll have to forgive me if I'm not incredibly enthusiastic about repeating the same debates several times over every few days.
I'm glad to provide the information you need. If you need any more help, let me know. BUt please read the FAQs and stickies first...-Chet
PS: if you want inexpensive wheels that will fit correctly, look no further than the ssearch function, or the "cheap 16" wheels" sticky on here..and if you have a five lug car (which you do, obviously), theres a lot of info on what fits thats inexpensive on here also....just look around.
Re: (blu96se)
no prob. not to knock you, but you alude to the problem when you say you were in a rush. i usually make my worst part purchase decisions when i'm not armed with all the facts and in a hurry to get it going again.
oh well. if you need help locally click my name to the left and shoot me an email.
oh well. if you need help locally click my name to the left and shoot me an email.