Date:         Sat, 20 Sep 2003 00:24:08 EDT
Reply-To:     JordanVw@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         JordanVw@AOL.COM
Subject:      Re: 15" wheels
Comments: To: conradk@MAC.COM
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

In a message dated 9/20/03 12:00:07 AM Eastern Daylight Time, conradk@MAC.COM
writes:


> I found out the hard way that my '85 has a clearance problem on the
> control arms with the rims + LTX M/S tires. I tried 8mm spacers, but
> will need at least another 10mm to clear the control arms. The tire
> guru who helped me research Load Range "C" compatibility, says that LTX
> is about the only tire that meets the sidewall integrity requirement.
> He was unaware of another one that would unless it is a commercial tire.
>
> Also, I found out that even without spacers, I need longer lug bolts in
> the back. There are also "positioning" bolts in the drums that prevent
> the wheels from mounting flat. Again, if you have a Syncro you should
> be OK.
>
>

you failed to state what size tires you are using.  as far as those
"positioning" bolts on the rear drums - remove them and throw them in the garbage.  for
that matter, if you are running stock steel 14" wheels or ANY wheels remove
those bolts and throw them in the garbage also.  these 2 little bolts serve NO
purpose other than to keep the drum from falling off the stub axle when the
wheel is off.  as in when youre changing a tire or something.  and like, theyre
really going to fall off anyway?  you have to bang the drums off with a hammer
if you want to get them off anyways.
i have run the audi 5000t wheels on a few different vans ive had. why are you
stating that you will have to use another 10mm in addition to the 8mm  spacer
you already have?  no way..  you must have done something wrong..  10mm is
plenty enough for the fronts.  i can get 10mm mercedes 5x112 (same as vanagon)
hubcentric spacers that work perfectly.  and i just used the stock vanagon
carat alloy lug bolts for the fronts.   as far as the rears, remove those 2 stupid
little bolts, and bolt the audi wheels right on.   you dont need any spacers
on the rears.  in fact you dont really need any longer studs either.. the nuts
bite down plenty enough.  if you look at the stock vanagon carat alloy lug
nuts and remove those pressed on stainless steel nut caps, you can see that the
stock carat rear nuts dont go all the way down on the studs either...but they
bite down plenty enough..
email me for pics of these wheels on a van..

chris