Grimpy

If my rims stick out too much, would it be safe to get the center shaved by a qualified shop? Rims have a et06 right now, thinking about getting them to around 15 or 18? Would this affect the strength of the wheels? Any help?

Has anyone done this before?
Anyone know where I can get this done in So Cal?

Thanks
DC

SoCalSC4

Sorry to burst your bubble, chief, but there is NO WAY you or any shop can safely 12mm or even 9mm off the backpad of any wheel. This will greatly affect the strength of lug seat area, especially on a cast aluminum wheel. There won't be enough thickness behind the conical (tapered) lug seat area to prevent cracking when the lug bolts are torqued down (this area is put into compression to 'clamp' the wheel to the hub).

Also, you will have a new problem- you will need to shorten the lug bolts, as they will protrude too far and will likely bottom-out in the hub before tightening the wheel completely.

BTW, the industry 'acceptable' amount to shave any wheel backpad is 3mm (about 1/8"). Any machine shop that is competent to actually do this sort of thing will tell you the same. You can try Russell Machine in Gardena @ (310) 532-5520- talk to Steve Russell, the owner. He does all sorts of machining for several wheel companies, and does a fantastic job.

So, your options are to shave 3mm and roll the crap out of the fenders, or sell those 19x9 +6 to somebody with Hamann flares or a widebody kit and get a proper set of wheels for your E39. Who sold these to you?

mmcustom

best bet would be to get new wheels if this is a major problem for you. Shaving will be a waste of time and money. Good luck with it.

Grimpy

awl crap... Thanks for the help guys...

I got these off a guy with a E39 also. I think he had coilovers. His rear was higher than mine but the front lower.

Im going to try to find some oem sport shocks and see how it goes from there.