Wheel advice needed!

[Jonnyess09]

Need some input from you resident tire / wheel experts:

I purchased American Racing Chrome Casinos, 18 x 8; mftr info assures these are fine for our car. So when my wheel guy called me into the shop area :10 minutes into the install, my heart sank...I knew this couldnt be good. Wasn't.

The rim alone was seated, and with the wheel completely turned in, the mechanic showed me he could BARELY fit his finger between the rim and the inner fender. And this is WITHOUT mounting the tires, Eagle F1 245/40R/R18s (which have an absolutely enormous footprint)

I have to go back in first thing tomorrow to see the mgr, but the garage guys indicated spacers may be one solution - short of reordering w/ smaller specs.

I'm extremely hesitant to put spacers in for potential strain on the suspension and steering components, to say nothing of the possibility that the tire wall will extend beyond my fenders...I'm not exactly looking for that Jeep Wrangler look, I drive >20k per year, and I want my AC to last...

Suggestions are welcomed at this time.

[fyrcomm]

your setup actually has a slightly smaller diameter than stock (check out http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direc ... reMath.jsp). as far as width, people have been able to fit 9.5"s with no problem. so you shouldn't rub unless the offset of your wheels is really small. we can fit anything with an offset of +25 or more on our altimas.

[Jonnyess09]

I researched online wheel and tire specs extensively for weeks on this....wheel offset is +40... all the info I read led me to believe this wouldnt be a problem. Looking at the tire/wheel mods sections, there are hundreds of members with wheels AT LEAST thius size, and no documented issues to speak of...

No it didn't quite rub, but was scary close, and without the tire installation yet.

[RicerX]

I say you need to verify that those wheels are indeed 18x8s that he's trying to mount on your car. That does NOT sound anywhere close to right. Especially at +40 offset.

Take a picture of the inside of the wheel (from the back) and post it. I'm willing to bet you that those aren't 18x8s that he's trying to mount.

[dangeris]

I say you need to verify that those wheels are indeed 18x8s that he's trying to mount on your car. That does NOT sound anywhere close to right. Especially at +40 offset.

Take a picture of the inside of the wheel (from the back) and post it. I'm willing to bet you that those aren't 18x8s that he's trying to mount.

Indeed! I'm running 18x8.5 +30 off set with 225x40x18 and my wheels don't rub at all. What you indicated shouldn't rub at all. Heck there's a member in PR that's running 18x10 +55 offset and he's tucked!

Physically look on the rim and find the offset number. Should be indicated with an ET40

[desertdragon]

Need some input from you resident tire / wheel experts:

The rim alone was seated, and with the wheel completely turned in, the mechanic showed me he could BARELY fit his finger between the rim and the inner fender. And this is WITHOUT mounting the tires, Eagle F1 245/40R/R18s (which have an absolutely enormous footprint)

I have to go back in first thing tomorrow to see the mgr, but the garage guys indicated spacers may be one solution - short of reordering w/ smaller specs.

I'm extremely hesitant to put spacers in for potential strain on the suspension and steering components, to say nothing of the possibility that the tire wall will extend beyond my fenders...I'm not exactly looking for that Jeep Wrangler look, I drive >20k per year, and I want my AC to last...
Suggestions are welcomed at this time.

This does not make any sense, if the wheel is rubbing (almost) without the tire, how can adding spacers be a solution?

[Jonnyess09]

Thanks for the helpful comments guys! Wheel itself wasn't the problem!

First thing this am I went to the shop and physically measured the rims. Yep...18 x 8, and 40 offset. BUT - the design of the rim itself with lip on each side had the actual edge to edge width at 10". The rim itself had clearance with all body components, the problem was gonna be 245 F1s I was hoped to mount in there. This is one monster tire! The dealer advised I could indeed drive away with these, but would have to "recalibrate my driving habits as far as cornering and bumps and such."

Rather than wait unti next week for F1s from out of state, the manager had his distributor send up a set of Eagle 225 GTs by afternoon, and these seated perfectly on the AR wheels. I'm in!!

I should add that my wheel guy was entirely against utilizing adapters or spacers whatsoever, despite it being in his best financial interests at times to use whatever industry resources available in getting wheels to fit vehicles. This integitry goes a long way with me in this day and age...

[desertdragon]

I am very confused. If you had problem with the wheel + tire combo "rubbing the inner fender", adding spacer will only make the problem worse, why would anybody suggested adding spacer would be a solucion is beyond me.

If the wheel is 18x8, how can the width be 10"? Can you post a pic please? just for my education.

As you can see on my sig, I have 18x8 wheels and use 245/45 tires and riding on Eibach, no rubbing al all. At one time I even have 15mm spacers on and no problem.

I would really like to see a pic of your wheels.