Well, My new 16" X 8" and 16" X9" Fuch copies arrived Friday. I had my tires mounted yesterday and promptly went to install them. As it turns out the center the studs slide through is thinner on my new wheels than my old wheels. I didn't notice until I was torquing the alloy nuts. I noticed one of them had cracked from the stud trying to push through the end! Crap!

So I figure no big deal, a couple of new alloy nuts and trim the stud down and I'll be back in business. So I figured I may as well check the fit and clearance before removing the wheels. Turns out the 225/55/16 tires won't clear the forward lip on the front flares! I should have ordered 225/50/16...

So I go to remove the front wheels. 9 nuts came off, one was stuck and caused the stud to spin! Can't get the new wheel off!

So I figured I would try to remove the rotor. I was glad this happened to the 16" wheels and not my 15" wheels. I had just enough room to remove the pads from my BMW 2002 calipers then remove the caliper. I made a modification to the rubber line bracket many years ago allowing me to slip the rubber line out fo the bracket without disconnecting the brake pipe.

Then I proceeded to attempt to remove the dust cover. Normally this wouldn't be a big deal but I have a wheel spacer. The cap has a lip that would clear the opening in the spacer. I tryed to use a hole saw but I could only cut about half way around as my center bit was off center by just a little. I had to cut the top open with a sharped screw driver and a hammer to get to the clamp nut. This is no easy task with a brand new wheel on the rotor!...

Then I cut about a 3/8" piece of 6 mm allen wrench and carefull slipped it into the clamp bolt. Using a 6 mm box end wrench I was able to loosen the clamp bolt enough to spin the nut off the spindle.

What a nightmare. It took about 4 hours to get the rotor off with the wheel in place.

Here's a couple of photos of the carnage and my new wheels.


Anyone have a spare dust cover? I'm robbing one off the Raspberry car for now but I'll need to replace it.

Damage report: 5 alloy nuts at $ 6.00 ea. one dust cap. No damage to the wheel.

So where is the picture of the new wheels? You said..........................

My new rear wheel 16" X 9" compared to my old 15" X 8"

Come on Rick, perhaps your day was too long and you are tired, but your pictures are not showing up.....

Stupid up load isn't working. Hang on...

I don't see much difference...I don't see anything.

Try this...

Maybe this..

Oh, and the engine should go in this week. It's a little further along than this picture.

They look really good, did you go for the larger wheels for top end speed or just tire availability?

Tire availability. But let me tell you, I'm not real happy with the selection for the size and look I was trying to achive. I ended up with Yokohamas again not that there is anything wrong with them I just wanted a fatter looking tire. . I wanted Dunlaps but the fronts were discontinued. I'm trying to keep the car looking like it was done in the 70's. My car isn't all about the big motor. it's a suttle theme of sorts. If I wasn't concerned about the look I would have gone for the 17"s that are being introduced on the pelican site.

I think I have a cap if you want it.

Thanks, I'll stop over next time I get to the metro.

Are you sure you dont want me to send it up to ya right now.

Are thiose new replicas? If so who is selling those sizes?

they are cast right?

performance products sells them IIRC

Rick,
Considering how much we drive our cars, winter and all..

I removed the dust shield...dont need it.
It have some advantages not being there...as you now know...

Just take them off, put them on the shelf...
I found that with the sticky autox tires, I was picking up alot of little gravel and getting it wedged in between the dust shield and the rotor...so off it came...

I like it removed, because I can now see the back of the rotor just by looking from the inside, and that helps me keep track of pad wear, and if the inside and outside are both working ok...

Rich

Your car is dirty

I'm on for wednesday. I'll see you early like around 8:30 am. We'll kick some ass.

Performance Products. approx. $ 1000.00 for 4 wheels. They are a low pressure cast. They are light. I'm happy with them.

Yes, low pressure cast. The lips are a brushed finish.

Dust capover the bearing not dust sheild. Did I say dust sheild? Sorry...

Yes, dirty and damaged from winter storage. I've got a butt load of work to do before the Atomic Ramble!