5mm wheel spacers on an e36 ?

[monkey]

i have an e36 that i have just fitted a set of 16" wheels to they are bmw wheels but on full steering lock they rub the body work on the inside just above where the wishbone rear bush mounts . i guess if i use some 5mm wheel spacers i will cure this as its not rubing to much i just want to know if its going to cause me any probs . thanks

[Jeepster]

Well, 5mm spacers should help, however its not ideal because your shortening the hub ring that supports the wheel, this is not all bad, but does depend on the wheels. Most bmw wheels have a conical centre bore, so loosing 5mm could mean that the wheel won't be properly supported on the hub. The central ring on the hub is what holds the weight of the wheel, not the bolts, they just keep the wheel against the hub. Another issue is that you could find it very hard to centralise the wheel against the hub, meaning that you may suffer wheel wobble, similar to having an unbalance wheel, at certain speeds.

Another option is what BMW did, they fitted steering limiters to the rack, basically a thick washer that bolts in place where the tie rod joins the rack. They are pretty cheap and a simple fit. To fit them all you have to do is undo the clip holding the rack boots in place, move the clamp washers out of the way and unbolt the tie rod, fit the washers and bolt the tie rod back up and crimp the clamp washers back in place. You will need wheel alignment afterward's though.

[monkey]

jeepster thank you very much i will get myself a set of the steering limiters as i like that idea more than using spacers .