Rep Power: 316

I just ordered 17" rims and tires from wheelmax.com
they are sending spacers with the tires/rims and told me
that i have to use them. Is this true and what are they for ??
the rims are 17x7 and tires are 205-40-17.
please help.....
[IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/IMG]

 
Rep Power: 419

It depends on the offset of the rim. Spacers increase the offset. Read about offset here: tirerack.com - Offset Spacers are considered to be a bad way to properly mount your rims though. I.E. You got screwed! I would try putting on the rims without the spacers first. Maybe the shop doesn't know what they're talking about.

 
Rep Power: 316

thanks for the info
the offset is 40 am i screwed ??[IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/IMG][IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/IMG]

 
Rep Power: 419

I think not. A 40 offset for that size wheel and tire should work okay. I don't know why they gave you wheel spacers? Are you sure they're wheel spacers? Maybe they're hub rings?

 
Rep Power: 316

i really appreciate the help, saved me alot of stress.
im not sure ill have to look again, its just when i ordered them
the rep on the phone said that they were sending spacers with
the rims and i got something, ill take a better look tonight, double check.
but thaks again for the help [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/IMG]

 
Rep Power: 336

They're probably sending you "Hub-Centric" rings, which mount between the wheel and the hub to fill any space that those "universal" wheels leave. Remember alot of wheels, practically all wheels are universal fit so they're meant to fit on tons of different cars. So the wheels won't fit perfectly on your civic. I noticed this when I bought Konig Verdicts online and slapped them on and noticed that at around 80 MPH my car started vibrating and it wasn't the alignment or balancing, I needed those rings.

 
Rep Power: 419

I technically need hub rings too, but there's a way to put on your wheels without those hub rings and have them center perfectly. I did it and I've bean up to 113mph without any vibration whatsoever. You basically hand tightem the lug lugs and reposition the wheel as you go to have more room to tighten. I prop up the wheel with my feet and I move it around. Then I tighten all of the lug nuts with my fingers. Then I move the wheel again and it frees up more space to tighten.