Calicraig2

I bought some new 18" rims for my ride but the stock caliper is so bulky that they had to use a slim spacer to offset the rim because the back of the spokes hit the caliper. That spacer pushed the wheel/tire out just far enough to cause some rubbing issues on the fender lip.

Are there any options for a slimmer caliper? I cant return the wheels so I am stuck, but I may have to ultimately change to an aftermarket caliper (maybe the Bembro's would not hit the wheel?? Alternative ideas?? Thanks

yoitskenn

iTrader: (4)

Yes. The LS were fitted with big brake calipers. Most people run spacers to cheat the caliper issue. You'd be crazy to get slimmer calipers, not even sure if that's even an option. The bigger calipers gives you greater stopping power.

Anoyher solution ion for you is to have your fenders "rolled". Not sure if you are familiar with it but it's when they pull off the black thin fender tab and roll the inside of the fender to elimate your rubbing issue. Everybody does it. So don't be scared.

RA40

iTrader: (6)

Wheel and tire specs? Define slim spacer? The easiest is as yoitskenn mentions by rolling or shaving the fender, that is good for about 3/8-1/2" additional.

Jks24

Dont get new calipers the stock ls430 are 4 piston calipers and the brembo " brake upgrade" for are cars are also 4 piston so there really is no reasonable caliper upgrade you could do brembo pads which are $102 for front and rear. Your best bet is wheel spacers or sell the rims you have now and get proper fitting ones best of luck.

Calicraig2

Word !!

I will be doing my best rolling tonight,, thanks !!

yoitskenn

iTrader: (4)

Yes! Define slim. Is it 3mm or 5mm or 10mm. Please be aware that anything above 5mm will require longer studs. Some folks run 5mm on the stock studs which is not recommended.

Anyways do you have pictures showing how much you are sticking out causing the rub.

You might want to run a thinner tire as well. I think in your other post you are running 8" on 245/45/18

yoitskenn

iTrader: (4)

have you ever rolled fenders before? Not sure how deep "in the game" you are but...rolling lexus fenders cause little dimples to show on the fenders. Another technique that is used is a rubber mallet.

Calicraig2

I will have to check out the actual thickness,,, i will be working on this tomorrow nite,, I have an old wood bat that works pretty well... I will take some pics... Thanks again guys

semar

goes to show how important it is to check wheel specifications before purchase.
There are reasons why a manufacturer supplies information about the ET (offset) in millimeters to make sure the caliper of a specific car model will fit with the right wheel.
IMHO sell the wheels and get proper fitting wheels rather than playing around with spacers, extra-long studs - all will cost as much as you would loose on the sale of the wheel.
Above all safety is the most important part of the whole issue. You dont want a gravestone imprint with RIP surrounded by the chrome wheels

ancdmd

DO NOT roll the fenders and DO NOT replace the calipers. And to you boneheads above telling him to roll em, might be a good idea for you to know what you're talking about before giving advice.

If you try to roll these fenders, even with a proper rolling tool (NOT a bat), you will be sorely disappointed. The steel is double-wall and has a few drilled holes in the lip for the plastic lip protector. These features will result in a dimpled exterior fender edge and very little roll anyways. Sorry but I'd recommend you lose the wheels and get new ones that fit properly. If you insist on keeping the wheels with the spacers, then your only option is to cut/shave the inside fender lip off just enough to clear the tire. If you're not skilled with a power tool then please take it to a good body shop to have it done.

Jabberwock

Cut your losses and sell or trade the wheels for other wheels that actually have the correct clearance.

It is an especially bad idea to think about using smaller or thinner brake calipers. Larger wheels and tires almost always weigh more and have increased diameter so they generate a way higher moment of inertia at speed (aka angular mass or rotational inertia). This means your brakes have to work much harder to stop the car with bigger wheels and tires than the same car with stock wheels and tires.

Putting oversize wheels and tires on a car or truck without a similar up sizing of the stock brake system can be dangerous. If the wheels and tires are big and heavy enough they can easily render the stock brake system significantly under powered.

yoitskenn

iTrader: (4)

my fenders are rolled. I have no dimples.

Lets say he does roll his fenders and it gives " very little roll " as you mentioned....maybe that's all he needs to elimate his rubbing issue.

I'm the bonehead who recommended he roll his fenders. And I also told him there's different ways to roll it. I rolled my fenders by using a rubber mallet. A accomplished what I needed without any dimples.

yoitskenn

iTrader: (4)

so I guess more than half of Us here on clublexus are boneheads.

KING

iTrader: (1)

I second this thought.

Rolling fenders is a cheap run a way from the problem. And in your case it was the mistake of not checking the correct ET to fit the big brakes the LS carries.
I've had my experience with rolling fenders. And it wasn't a very satisfying one, even though I had them done professionally. I ended up having to do body work on those fender lips because of the dimples that later on showed on the edges. It's just the way these fenders were manufactured as ancdmd described.

I'm ultimately getting new custom metal fenders made. Hate the day I had my fenders rolled.


And hey, to those who managed to make it work, good for you.

Jks24

I personally dont feel like 20 inch wheels will be detrimental to braking it all depends what the wheels are made of and if you put 30 inch rims on your car I yah you are gonna have a hard time braking. Anyways general consensus sell your rims buy new ones call the company first to make sure they fit