TheSamba.com :: View topic - Getting 15" SA steel rims to fit on my Big Brake Kit

Wed Dec 17, 2008 10:23 am

Greetings my fellow vanaholics,
I have a slight issue. I upgraded to the BB package (tons better BTW)
I currently have some 15" Audi alloys on it with Nokian Hakapellita CS tires (which only have about 2k miles on them if someone wants to buy them off me) These Audi rims fit fine on there, however I have BFG 215/75/15 on my SA steelies (I prefer a steel rim actually made for the Vanagon...no spacers for me thanks). I painted the rims with POR 15 and a top coat. Even though its only a few mm's they rub against the BBcaliper. I saw another post where soemone ground down their caliper. Not really keen on going that rout. So i was thinking of grinding off the POR on the inside of the rims and them hitting them with a rust coating from a rattle can that wont be so thick. Does that sound like the best rout to do? Its sucks because I have 5 rims to do...... Any input/better routes greatly appreciated...
Cheers

Wed Dec 17, 2008 11:43 am

You may find you need more clearance than that. The wheels underload in a turn may flex and hit the calipers after you get your static clearance. I am not sure what you are looking at, but would it be possible to shim the calipers in? You could use some grade 8 washers between the caliper and mounting. True the calipers are probably centered on the rotor, but I'd think you could offset as much as .120 and not mess things up. You may end up doing both. A picture of what you have may help.

Wed Dec 17, 2008 11:45 am

Ok makes sense
I will get get some pics this weekend, van dosent fit in my garage so its at my Dad's

Wed Dec 17, 2008 12:06 pm

I had the same problem with the audi g60 brake calipers rubbing on my SA steel 15" wheels. I ground the calipers the amount that made me comfortable and it still rubs :x . I looked into the point of contact more and found that the rim weld beads are the interferance problem. I have tires with less than 100 miles on them and I now have to wait until they are burned up until I can upgrade to 16" steel wheels(btw. I already bought the 16's)

Wed Dec 17, 2008 12:10 pm

I know mine have ZERO miles on them.... Any one want to buy 5 brand new 15" SA steel rims (POR-15 coated) w/ ZERO MILE 215/75/15 BFG AT's? LOL, hope fully I can get them to work.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=710942

I wish I would have know this, the friggen sitesa said they would fit w/o modification. Which 16"s did you get?
I'd like to ge those 16"s that are lile $290 plus shipping each

Wed Dec 17, 2008 12:20 pm

These rims- http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=233666&highlight=16s
$15 each now through tire rack- http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=329230&start=0
Loogy sells the lug nuts to make everything work.
I bought a set of 6 shipped to me for less than $150. They are a direct bolt on my syncro.

Wed Dec 17, 2008 12:23 pm

Nice! I wonder if I can swap the tires I already have for some 16's, what size tire you gonna run on it? What did the lugs run you?

Wed Dec 17, 2008 12:42 pm

What search do I key in on tire rack to find them?

Wed Dec 17, 2008 12:48 pm

I have 5 stock alloys with new BFGs and wish I would have went with the 15" steels. Are you sure you wouldn't rather downsize? :P

If someone would buy mine I'll buy yours!

Wed Dec 17, 2008 12:53 pm

A syncro just looks funny on 14s
Here Mine whe i first got it:

Wed Dec 17, 2008 1:02 pm

Sounds like a spacer may cure your problem. How about 1/4 spacer between the disc and the rim. That amount wouldn't effect much and may allow the rims to bolt up.

Wed Dec 17, 2008 1:08 pm

I dont like the idea of running spacers, plus I really need an excuse to get 16's now....

Wed Dec 17, 2008 4:53 pm

http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/results.jsp?&au...sort=Price
Click on "steel wheels" tab below the search filter.

Wed Dec 17, 2008 6:07 pm

http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=3073&category_id=143&category_parent_id=

GoWesty steel 15x7 wheels are $150 each. They come with a disclaimer:

"VANAGON OWNERS PLEASE NOTE! These wheels will NOT work with our 15" Big Brake Kit! If there is a chance you might be upgrading in the future, please purchase any of the alloy wheels we offer instead. Also, this wider wheel will not fit in the factory spare tire carrier under the nose."

Mercedes steels from Tire Rack make more sense at $150 shipped for the set.

Thu Dec 18, 2008 8:39 am

A very thin spacer is not so bad - then you can sell the wheels with the spacers, they might be more salable. Which puts you closer to the 16s you want.

Get your spacer measurement by adding layers of spacers cut out of cardboard (solid not corrugated) or thin wood.

Good luck. (I thought a simple thing like wheel change was going to be easy too! WRONG)

Tom

Fri Dec 19, 2008 4:01 pm

MrPolak wrote: http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=3073&category_id=143&category_parent_id=

GoWesty steel 15x7 wheels are $150 each.
Mercedes steels from Tire Rack make more sense at $150 shipped for the set.
esp when you figure out they cut the center piece of the 14" rims (that they pay $10) & weld those into the new 7x15" raw rim from
carslisle tire part# 150070-002-010 ($15 retail prolly $10 for GW)
http://members.shaw.ca/trclark/Volkswagen-Bus-Vanagon_files/im3511_20080207_121006.pdf

Mon Dec 22, 2008 10:26 pm

Quote: "VANAGON OWNERS PLEASE NOTE! These wheels will NOT work with our 15" Big Brake Kit! If there is a chance you might be upgrading in the future, please purchase any of the alloy wheels we offer instead. Also, this wider wheel will not fit in the factory spare tire carrier under the nose."
Unfortunately the Van Cafe ad specified they would on the website.... Oh well, hopefully I can unload them on the classifieds:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=713291
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=713295

Tue Dec 23, 2008 1:38 pm

Van Cafe 15" steelies DO fit with their big brake kits. I have a both and they fit fine. Van Cafe big brakes use Audi A4 calipers. Also - Van Cafe steelies do not appear to be cut up and re-welded like the GoWesty wheels.

Jeff

Tue Dec 23, 2008 8:30 pm

the van cafe wheels are like the go westy wheels, cut and welded. they DO fit on the van cafe big brake kit. it is a SUPER TIGHT fit, i mean super tight. if there is any bur on the weld, it will rub the caliper. also, check the brake pads. the last set of big brakes i saw from van cafe had some weird pad that didnt sit quite right in the caliper and needed a little grinding off the top of the backing plate of the pad for it to sit right. easy way to check if the pad is sitting right is to look at the caliper and see if it looks even and level against the rotor. also, make sure there are no burs on the welds of the rims and if so grind them off. This combo will fit, it may just take a little time. it can be frustrating buying something in a pre made kit form, but remember, its all aftermarket stuff, and sometimes it takes some work to get it all right. hope you get it all figured out, but it seems like you're pretty determined to get some 16s. i have 225/75/16 on my 85 westy, and it took quite a bit of work to get them not to rub. good luck and let us know how it turns out, Doug.

Tue Dec 23, 2008 9:04 pm

I just got the steelies from Van-Cafe, and they are not cut and re-welded. They are OEM factory VW wheels imported from South Africa, and come packed in VW/Audi boxes with original VW bubble wrap and packing tape.