I just bought a set of G35 rims w/Bridgestone 215/55R17s from lophix. I tried to install them on my 92 GXE today, and only got as far as the driver's side rear - it's barely hitting the strut assembly. I'm pretty sure it's just the side of the tire that's hitting the little half-moon thing sticking out from the bottom of the spring retainer, but I can't get my head back in there to see for sure.


That's the stock wheel back on there, by the way...

Can I just use some wheel spacers? Any ideas on what size? I thought these would just be a +2 kinda deal, but they are bigger overall. However, lophix had these on his lowered 3rd gen with no problems at all... Oh, and as far as I know, I have the stock suspension (172k on it though).

These are the wheels/tires I bought... http://members.***.net/94se/Shopping%20Cart.htm

 

ttt..........

 

Spacers will give you more clearance.

 

The half moon thing you speak of, I like to call the spring perch may be rubbing against the tire. This could be because the tire is too wide, or that the overall profile is too tall. If it's rubbing just a tad, spacers will definitely be the cure. If you're looking to do it right, you'd like into hubcentric spacers (tend to cost a little extra). Or you can just grab some cheaper spacers that will not allow the wheel to mount true with the hub (leaving you with a lugcentric mount). Meaning you'd have to position the wheel so that it balanced by means of the lug nuts.

This is less favorable because it's not as exact and will likely lead to wheel vibration at speeds greater than 20 MPH. I'm in the same boat as you with my 89 Mazda 626. The stock wheels were 14X5.5 and the tire dimensions were 185/70/14. I needed new tires, but I got a deal on a set of 99 GLE wheels with new tires for $200. These wheels are 15X6.5 with 215/60/15 tires (one inch more in diameter). This combined with the wheel/tire being wider had the tire rubbing against the spring perch. I just used some cheap 5mm spacers I bought from a tireshop.

My solution for my Mazda to not use the spacers are:
Get the proper sized tires (they won't rub if they are shorter).
Install the 2nd gen suspension (shorter strut bodies and smaller springs...smaller spring perch).

 

I'm going to go out to Pep Boys now and grab some spacers - I know new tires would cure the problem, but I just got these and new tires aren't in the picture for a while...
"Position the wheel so that is balanced by means of the lug nuts." What do you mean? I thought wheel spacers were just a kind of big washer that goes between the wheel and the hub... I think it's just that sentence that's confusing me, because a typical lugcentric mount doesn't mean anything but that the lugs are supporting the weight of the car instead of the hub, right?