Staggered C5 Fitment problems
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Joined: Aug 2013
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Staggered C5 Fitment problems I have staggered c5 i am trying to put on my 1996 formula firebird as we speak. i got the 17's on the front no problem. I'm trying to put the 18s on the back and it seems the circular part on the axel doesn't want to fit inside the rim (between the lugs) can any give me advice? why won't they fit and how can i fix it? Please respond ASAP the car is in the air right now....
That's odd. is the hub rusty on the sides? Gotta have something it there preventing then from sliding in. It's not fitting over at all? Did this happen with both sides? Both rims?
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 343
Likes: 1
From: Petaluma, Ca
I think I read somewhere (the wheel sticky, maybe), that the LT1 axles are different sizes then the LS1 cars. Aftermarket wheels may fit where OEMs won't. You may have to have the back of the wheels machined a bit, or maybe a small spacer. I don't have a LT1 car so I have no first hand experience.
Launching!
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 263
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From: Far north in the Atlantic Ocean
I had that problem with the rear wheels on my '95. I used a dremel.
WHY WON'T MY NEW WHEELS FIT OVER THE REAR HUBS ON MY 4TH GEN?
The 1993 to "late" 1996 4th Gen F-Bodies have a larger hub on the rear axle than on the front spindles. The rear axle hubs are about 0.03" larger in diameter than the front hubs. This problem was corrected in late 1996 model year or possibly in early 1997.
As a result, if you buy C4 or C5 wheels, or if you buy 1997 or newer F-Body wheels, they may not fit on the rear hubs of your 1993-1996 F-Body.
The solution is very simple. First, DO NOT FORCE THEM ON WITH THE LUGS! Very dangerous, and you may not be able to get them off. You need to lightly sand or grind (e.g. - Dremel) the inside diameter of the hub hole in the back of the wheel. Don't go nuts.... just remove enough metal so the wheel cleanly fits over the rear hubs, with no interference.
Think about doing this to all 4 wheels, so you can "rotate" the tires in the future.
This will not harm the wheels.... you are taking off the thickness of a sheet of paper. Just be sure you do a neat, smooth job. This will also NOT affect the centering of the wheels on the hubs. The 4th Gen wheels are "lug-centric" - they are centered by the conical lugs, not by the hubs.
The 1993 to "late" 1996 4th Gen F-Bodies have a larger hub on the rear axle than on the front spindles. The rear axle hubs are about 0.03" larger in diameter than the front hubs. This problem was corrected in late 1996 model year or possibly in early 1997.
As a result, if you buy C4 or C5 wheels, or if you buy 1997 or newer F-Body wheels, they may not fit on the rear hubs of your 1993-1996 F-Body.
The solution is very simple. First, DO NOT FORCE THEM ON WITH THE LUGS! Very dangerous, and you may not be able to get them off. You need to lightly sand or grind (e.g. - Dremel) the inside diameter of the hub hole in the back of the wheel. Don't go nuts.... just remove enough metal so the wheel cleanly fits over the rear hubs, with no interference.
Think about doing this to all 4 wheels, so you can "rotate" the tires in the future.
This will not harm the wheels.... you are taking off the thickness of a sheet of paper. Just be sure you do a neat, smooth job. This will also NOT affect the centering of the wheels on the hubs. The 4th Gen wheels are "lug-centric" - they are centered by the conical lugs, not by the hubs.
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