I know it's a bit long, but I really need the help! And if some sentences are incomplete, or don't flow, I pasted it from an e-mail to avoid typing it all again!

Almost 1 year ago, I purchased a set of 18x9.5 Italia Riva wheels. Evidently, the national distributor that has no physical locations, advertises in magazines a lot, and is NOT a site sponsor (not to name any names!) sold me the wheels with the backspacing for a Corvette. The reason I think this is because I have tire rub on both rear inner tire wells. I don't really feel like having to spen $600+ on 2 new wheels, so I have the following options. Which is best?

1) I can try to beat my wheel wells back in the offending areas. The problem with this is that there is some kind of structural member directly behind the sheet metal. I cannot do it with a hammer. The area is about 20-30 degrees above the axle line, in front of the axle. Is it safe to bend the sheet metal and structural member (whatever it is) back about 1/2" at that point?

2) I can try to get some lug nuts that have thin "sleeves" that thread down into the holes of the wheels. I believe that I saw this in a couple mail order catalogs (I don't think they are sponsors, so i won't name them). They are called racing lug nuts, or something. I figure that, if I can get something that has threads that fit inside the wheel holes, while also having the "acorn" style head on the outside of the wheel. I can get enough threads to hold the wheel safely. Have you ever heard of this type of lug nut?

3) I can try to get some different studs. Unfortunately, I have not yet found any studs that are the same size, but longer. I would have to get one with a different, larger knurl (that is the part that holds the lug in the hub, right?). This would require enlarging the holes in the hub slightly. And I mean "slightly". There is a "late model GM disc brake" set on Summit that is 3 1/4 inches long, but has a knurl of .58 inches. The stock 12mm x 1.5 is only 2.5 inches in length, with a knurl of .509 inches. I would only have to enlarge it .071 inches. This is only .0355 inches off of each side of the hole. That is less than 1 mm per side! And the 3 1/4 inch length should give me enough threads. What do you think about this?

Also, H&R makes a spacer/stud combo for my car. Unfortunately, the combo for my car necessitates the purchase of both the studs and spacers for about $120. And the smallest spacer that they have is a 25mm one. I am not sure that I want to go with that much of an offset.

Of course, if you have any other thoughts, please let me know. Or, if you know of anyone else that I can pose this situation to, please let me know.

 

most of our sponsors can get you mr gasket wheel spacers for like $12 a pair. but then you need studs that are 5/16 longer than stock to match

who told you what offset to get? i see this being their problem

 

I catually decided on the 7/16" spacer on my own. I need about an extra 1/2" between my tires and wheel walls.

Also, longer studs are EXACTLY what I need! Where can I get some?

 

arp makes aftermarket long wheel studs for our cars.. but you will have to cusom cut them back down to a length where you dont have to have an open lugnut..

hmm i KNOW one of the sponsors to the right has them.. but i can't remember which.. sorry

 

I don't recall who it is, but they are around $13.00 a piece per stud.

 

i found em!
http://www.thunderracing.com/index.c...ategoryid=1019
bottom of page.. stock is what? 1.5" or something and these are 2.5.