The latest victim of clearance issues with b5 s4 calipers
04-25-2005, 12:37 PM
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The latest victim of clearance issues with b5 s4 calipers
My buddy and I finished installing my HP2 calipers, zimmerman rotors, axxis pads, ss lines, and motul fluid on Sunday. After fully bleeding the lines, we stepped back and admired the new brakes. With the larger rotors, cross-drilling, and painted calipers the front brakes looked incredible. I'm now convinced that this is the best bang for your buck when it comes to "Big Brake Kits."
Unfortunately, when we went to bolt up my 19" RS4 replicas from The Wheel Exchange it was immediately obvious that these were not going to clear. In fact, it wasn't even close. Measuring the additional clearance needed was not terribly easy, even with the proper tools. My buddy held the wheel as level as possible at the appropriate clearance level and I used a digital readout to measure the gap. Measurements suggested I needed an additional 8.89mm's to clear the new brakes.
Although this topic has been mentioned a few times recently, I was somewhat surprised that the clearance was off by this much. Solutions such as grinding down the caliper or installing used pads weren't viable considering the nearly 10mm's I had to lose. In the end, I had to put the stock 17"s back on until I order a set of spacers. I'd feel the most comfortable with 5mm spacers but I don't think they'll do the trick.
Anyway, sorry for the long post. Just wanted to make sure everybody was aware that The Wheel Exchange reps DO NOT CLEAR the B5 S4 calipers.
FWIW, I spoke with a wheel fitment specialist from WE and he was not very helpful. <a href="http://www.4rings.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=5797">Click here to read about my conversation with WE</a> I asked them to file this information so that future Wheel Exchange rep owners are prepared with spacers prior to installing these calipers. Unfortunately, I don't think Wheel Exchange is going to inform owners of this issue. They certainly gave me every indication that I wouldn't have clearance issues after I explained that I was going to install these calipers.
Oh well, live and learn.
Unfortunately, when we went to bolt up my 19" RS4 replicas from The Wheel Exchange it was immediately obvious that these were not going to clear. In fact, it wasn't even close. Measuring the additional clearance needed was not terribly easy, even with the proper tools. My buddy held the wheel as level as possible at the appropriate clearance level and I used a digital readout to measure the gap. Measurements suggested I needed an additional 8.89mm's to clear the new brakes.
Although this topic has been mentioned a few times recently, I was somewhat surprised that the clearance was off by this much. Solutions such as grinding down the caliper or installing used pads weren't viable considering the nearly 10mm's I had to lose. In the end, I had to put the stock 17"s back on until I order a set of spacers. I'd feel the most comfortable with 5mm spacers but I don't think they'll do the trick.
Anyway, sorry for the long post. Just wanted to make sure everybody was aware that The Wheel Exchange reps DO NOT CLEAR the B5 S4 calipers.
FWIW, I spoke with a wheel fitment specialist from WE and he was not very helpful. <a href="http://www.4rings.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=5797">Click here to read about my conversation with WE</a> I asked them to file this information so that future Wheel Exchange rep owners are prepared with spacers prior to installing these calipers. Unfortunately, I don't think Wheel Exchange is going to inform owners of this issue. They certainly gave me every indication that I wouldn't have clearance issues after I explained that I was going to install these calipers.
Oh well, live and learn.
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