Spacers on the Q (for Z32 brake clearance with OEM wheel).. Writeup WITH pics!

[elwesso]

As many of you know Im running Z32 brakes on my Q..... As winter was fast approaching, I coudl not run on my summer tire setup any longer. Even when it was cold, those 265s on the rear would just not hook up at all... It was getting scary..

Despite what i normally like doing, I added spacers so i could use my 15in wheels wiht the Z32 brakes.....

NOTE: ONLY THE FRONT BRAKES HAVE CLEARANCE ISSUES WITH THIS SETUP, MY REAR WHEELS BOLTED RIGHT ON NO PROBLEMS!

Parts needed: 15mm spacerlonger studs(note this would be a grand time to replace your rotors and pads as you must remove the brakes)

I bought my spacers from H/R. Apparently they are very high quality, form what Ive read. These spacers are commonly used by porsche guys... They were $100 for the set of 2.

Tools needed:

19mm socketbreaker barLarge hammer (short handled sledge ideal)extra lug nutWD40 or equivalent22mm deep socket

Overall this was an easy job, and it was fun because i got to pound the crap out of things... which is always good!! Total working time was about 2 hours maybe, wasnt keeping track of time and I had some side jobs I was doing as well.....

This time I was too lazy to wait on the photopost so i could have nice clickable thumbnails, so im going to link full size pictures, instead of tagging them, for those on dialup.....

Pictures of the spacers and studshttp://q45.spilky.com/Q/spacers%20002.jpghttp://q45.spilky.com/Q/spacers%20003.jpg

First step is to take off the wheels, and the calipers. Once you have the calipers removed, support them somehow so they are not dangling by the brake lines... I used a small bucket to set them on.....

Once you have the calipers off, you will see something like thishttp://q45.spilky.com/Q/spacers%20004.jpg

To remove the studs from the hub, take one of the lug nuts (buy an extra one if you have to, because you will ruin it) and put it on backwards, so the round end is facing out instead of the hex end... Thread it on so that the very end is just barely below the end of the stud. Should look something like this. Once the lugnut is on, get your big sledge hammer and bang the crap out of them!!!!!

http://q45.spilky.com/Q/spacers%20005.jpg

Picture with all the studs removedhttp://q45.spilky.com/Q/spacers%20006.jpg

Once all the studs are removed you simply stick the new ones in.. ON the hub you will see a notched area in the heat shield where you can slide them in... I tried to outline it here but my paint skills are lacking.http://q45.spilky.com/Q/spacers%20015.JPG

To install the studs, simply put them in one at a time... When I put mine in, i lightly tapped them with a hammer on the back side to mildly seat them in.. To fully seat them, put a lugnut on it and screw it in..... This will bring them in perfectly straight... Get them in as far as you can. http://q45.spilky.com/Q/spacers%20007.jpg

NOTE VERY IMPORTANT: THE FIRST TIME YOU TIGHTEN YOUR WHEELS, THEY MUST BE OFF THE GROUND AS THE STUDS HAVE NOT FULLY SEATED YET. CHECK THE TORQUE OF YOUR LUG NUTS AGAIN AFTER DRIVING EVERY SO OFTEN UNTIL THEY REMAIN TIGHT.

All studs installed:http://q45.spilky.com/Q/spacers%20008.jpg

Spacers, studs, rotors and calipers installed. Notice I cleaned my rotors so they are not rusty and painted them with 1200F rustoleum

http://q45.spilky.com/Q/spacers%20009.jpg

Picture of front of car:http://q45.spilky.com/Q/spacers%20011.jpg

really you can just barely tell the front wheel sticks out more..... Its hardly worth mentioning...

NOW NO ONE HAS ANY EXCUSES NOT TO DO THE Z32 BRAKES!!!!!!

[squeefoo]

Yup that's how you do it, this is what I had to install to get '90 piepans to fit over my alum. 92 Z32 calipers.You also get 30mm more tracking width for those 1.3 G turns

See Wes that wasn't so bad, why'd you fight it for so long?...

VERY IMPORTANT TO KEEP CHECKING THE TORQUE

[elwesso]

Squee, what brand spacers are you running????

I agree on checking the torque, i have my wrench in the back of the car and im checking each time before i drive.

[chinaonnitrous]

I've used H&R aslo on my 5.5 gen maxima. Very nice quality.

Nice write up.

[squeefoo]

Squee, what brand spacers are you running????

I agree on checking the torque, i have my wrench in the back of the car and im checking each time before i drive.

I don't actually know, - 13mm thick machined solid AL.

[Jeff Williams]

Oh My Gosh! Don't those tires fling mud all over the car, the way they stick out of the fenders? I t looks like one of those front wheel drive drag race Hondas!