Rim centre bore is too small, can I use a spacer?

[Cleric]

Hello, I bought some used steel rims and winter tires, but the centre bore is too small. Would it be a bad idea to use spacers so the rims clear the hub and just centre on the lugnuts?

Cheers

 

[Cleric]

Also does anyone know how thick of a spacer would be needed for that?

 

[hat1018]

I don't think the wheel studs would be long enough to use a spacer and safely hold the wheel on. You could look into having the wheels bored out to fit.

 

[RABID_MP5]

yeah you'd also have an offset that could mess your wheel bearings etc. Hey how much too small? Like Nissans are only like 1 mm smaller and you can kinda machine that off by hand.

 

[BRIAN_MP5T]

You can not use spacers.

The back will be tight regardless and adding a space will guarantee that it will rub.

Carefully remove the excess if it is not alot...

If it is alot, get it machined or buy new rims..

 

[socal5]

bore out the center to 73mm most shops charge 20-30 a rim

 

[Cleric]

Thanks, I might bore it out, is that safe to do on steelies? I'm pretty sure the rims I have are 64mm centre bore, but there is a thin flange that sticks out to grab the hub, I'm worried it would be dangerous to grind that down, or it might need to come completely off.

You can see here what the lip looks like, and this is the rim too small on my car:

(ignore the wheel hub rust, I live in Atlantic Canada).

 

[00bluees]

i run 6mm spacers on my P5 with my winter wheels in order for the rim to clear the brake caliper. i do have the correct hub bore, but with the spacer the wheel clears the hub totally. i have the stock wheel studs and have had no issues. i also did the same on another car for 4 winters with no issues. just make sure the lugs are torqued properly.

sure its not reccommended, but its fine with me.

 

[azuelke]

i run 6mm spacers on my P5 with my winter wheels in order for the rim to clear the brake caliper. i do have the correct hub bore, but with the spacer the wheel clears the hub totally. i have the stock wheel studs and have had no issues. i also did the same on another car for 4 winters with no issues. just make sure the lugs are torqued properly.

sure its not reccommended, but its fine with me.

This. Not sure why he couldn't run spacers to make the rims fit. The hub bore only really helps seat the rim, but with most lugs being conical now, I'm not really seeing that big of a difference since the taper on the lugs keeps the rim true to the lugs.

 

[bikingpro5]

where do you live in Atlantic Canada? i have a set of steel rims sitting in the shed not being used off my car you could potential have if your close enough.