After hours of archive cruising I am suficiantly confused and need the help of somone in the know.

I just got a very good deal on a set of used Fikse FM-10's with Michelin Pilot Sport Cupts mounted (used from a guy at Hershey swap meet). I was told that they would fit my car. After mounting them I noticed the front caliper has only a mm or so of clearance with the inside of the rim so I decided to phone Fikse and get the stats on my wheels. My car is a 96 narrow body. The rims are 8"F/9.5"R with offsets of 38mmF/32mmR. The tires are 225F/265R.

The Fikse person (Travis who was very helpful) said it was an aggressive setup but if they fit it should be OK. He did say I could get some flex in the front on the track and watch for rubbing of the caliper. I really don't want to worry about this so am thinking maybe I should sell them (he said they are more set up for a widebody 993). I have also given some thought to spacers.

I know I should have checked this out before making the deal (Mark, you warned me) but my excitment got the better of me. Looking for any advice or input. Thanks.

Jamie

 

Post a picture of them.

 

I won't be able to post a pic for a few hours. Thanks.

Jamie

 

My advice would be to sell them. I had the same situation. I got excited and the person I bought them from said they would fit, but they rubbed bad.

Since you got a very good deal, it should not be too hard for you to unload them. Best of Luck. I know how you feel.

 

I assume w/PSC these are for track use. That's not the place to compromise on such important components. Spacers won't help. Sell them & get correctly configured wheels that will fit properly. My $.02.

 

It wouldn't have made a difference in the front if they were for a narrow or a widebody car.

Is the caliper close to rubbing on the center? or the rim half. Either way a small slip on spacer may be all you need (if the wheel studs are long enough which is doubtful).

 

Another point. I would be cautious about buying used track wheels unless you are 100% sure of their age and the amount of use they have had.

Friend of mine that own Forgeline said to replace track only wheels at 5 year intervals, any longer than that and you are tempting fate.

 

Jamie,

That's a bummer. I'm assuming you gave Travis all of the offset info? IIRC, the clearance with my front brakes is close, but I'm not sure if it's a 1 mm or so. As you know, I bought my FM-10's new from Radial Tire and had Travis take care of the order.

You're not the first person who's had these issues with people at Hershey....Good luck.

 

Dan- Yes they are for DE use.

Greg- The caliper is close to rubbing on the inside of the rim, that is to say the spoke part of the rim. I think now (after looking at a diagram further explaining offset) that the offset doesn't effect this issue at all. I could be wrong though. Travis at Fikse was suprised that I noted this occurence. Either way a small spacer would move the rim out from the caliper a bit (maybe another mm or two).

The wheels themselves fill the wells nicely with the outside of the tire seemingly about flush with the outside of the wheel well. I can't say for sure how old the tires are. I did not ask about age just about wear.

Jamie

 

So, if I understand this correctly, if the offset was greater- the inside of the tire would be closer to the inside of the wheel well. Would it follow that if the offset was too little the tires would potrude from the outside of the wheel well? Mine seem to be lined up even with the outside of the wheel well.

I don't want it so sound like I am trying to "make" these wheels work. I have not problem with the idea of selling (I don't think I will loose any money and will learn a lesson along the way) but just want to be sure before I list them in the classifieds. Saftey on the track is my most important consideration always.

Jamie

 

Jamie,
I odn't think the offset would really effect what you are describing. I would put some tape on the caliper or wheel so that you can tell if it is rubbing. If it doesn't you are golden. If it does then look for some small 2mm or so spacers. Just make sure you get good engagement with the lug nuts on the studs.

 

If you are using steel lug nuts for the track (which I do), you can tell how wide a spacer you could safely use by the exposed thread. On my track car I sold, I ran with 2.5mm spacers for exactly the reason you described - but - if you are really 1mm off your caliper, I'd either space them or sell them....

However - if you really never want to forget the lesson you learned - you could just give them to me...

 

Jamie - I have Fikse FM-10's (purchased from a fellow Rennlister) on my narrow body 95, and w/o spacers they were about the thickness of a coat of paint away from the calipers. I used them like that for several months and then added thin spacers that came w/the wheels. I never even considered that they may flex on the track and rub the calipers. Anyway, if you want to PM me with the particulars of your wheels, I can see if they are the same as mine. I have had no issues in 3+ years of street and track driving. And as John said, make sure you use steel lug nuts on the track - especially if you use spacers!

 

Greg,
I think you are right about that. The more I start to understand "offset" the more I realise it would not really effect the distance between the back of the rim spokes and the caliper. Mark indicates his caliper is close to the wheel as well (he has the same wheels and tires). The tape idea is a good one. Now I guess I should ask this- Is the offset more meant to determine rubbing of the tire or wether the tire is centered over the rotor (if that matters)? I guess what I am asking is that since I seem to have no rubbing issues am I fine?

John- I would think that would be a good solution. I am guessing that a spacer that small (2mm or so) would still leave me enough lug. I am using stock lug nuts. Not sure of the material but they seem to be some sort of alloy as they are very light. And John, please be careful using the word engagment as you can never be sure who is lurking over my shoulder. Sorry, realising now you were quoting Greg.

 

Bob,
I would love to see how the particulars of your set up compare to mine. All of my info (offset, tire and wheel size etc.) is in my first post at the top of the thread. Actually, in rereading it, I neglected to mention the wheels are 18's. Thanks.

Jamie