Caliper to wheel allowable clearance? [Archive]

View Full Version : Caliper to wheel allowable clearance?

lilbloohhr

10-20-2006, 10:15 AM

Could someone tell me what the minimum clearance between the caliper & the wheel is? ('06 hhr LT1) I got a good deal and would like to use these 15" steel rims from an '05 malibu for my snow tires (gotta save the aluminums - great white [salty] north, eh!), but I've only got about 9 - 10mm (~3/8") between caliper & rim with the 15's on instead of the 30mm (~1-1/4") with my stock 16's. There doesn't seem to be any interference but I wonder if there would be problems when things heat up, such as under heavy braking. Insight, anyone?

1HotHHR

10-20-2006, 11:34 AM

My first question is are they the correct bolt pattern. I have asked a lot ob people and they all said that they were not. Let us know the dim. of the bolt pattern on the 05 malibu.

See ya down the road

Bud / Harvey

lilbloohhr

10-20-2006, 11:47 AM

The 04 - 06 malibu 15" wheel is the same specs except diameter (5-110mm bolt spacing, +42mm offset, 65.1mm hub, 6.5" rim width) I test-fitted a rim on the front and there doesn't seem to be any interference with the tie rod ends lock to lock, but like I said there is only 9 - 10mm clearance between the caliper and the inner surface of the rim. They do fit, but my concern is the lack of space between the caliper and the wheel. I know some racing applications have very minimal caliper to wheel spacing, but I don't know if that is permissible for the street.

lilbloohhr

10-20-2006, 11:50 AM

No problem with only 1/8"? Good to hear! I've got close to 1/4 - 3/8" with the 15's. Looks like I can go ahead and put some snows on them then. Thanks!

JoeR

10-20-2006, 12:02 PM

Pull your spare out and compare. That is a 15" steel wheel.

The other day I rotated my tires and used the spare to make things easier. The fit was tight, but GM must feel it's OK.

Good luck.

lilbloohhr

10-20-2006, 12:40 PM

While digging on the 'net, I found a site that has what stock wheels fit the HHR as well as their products. You'll find it at :
http://www.fastco.ca/web-content/Images/Wheels2006appguide.pdf

Aftermarket Wheels:
http://www.fastco.ca

Here's the short list of stock wheels that will fit the HHR:
(Make/Model; Year(s); bolt circle; hub dia.; offset)

Chevy HHR 06 - 5x110mm; 65.1mm; +42mm
Cadillac Catera 96-01 - 5x110mm; 65.1mm; +51mm
Chevy Cobalt SS 05-06 - 5x110mm; 65.1mm; +49mm
Chevy Malibu/Malibu MAXX 04-06 - 5x110mm; 65.1mm; +42mm
Pontiac G6 05-06 - 5x110mm; 65.1mm; +42mm
Pontiac Pursuit GT 06 - 5x110mm; 65.1mm; +49mm
Pontiac Solstice 06 - 5x110mm; 65.1mm; +55mm
Saab 9-3 99-06 - 5x110mm; 65.1mm; +41mm
Saab 9-5 99-06 - 5x110mm; 65.1mm; +49mm
Saturn L-Series 01-05 - 5x110mm; 65.1mm; +45
Saturn Sky 06 - 5x110mm; 65.1mm; +55mm
Saturn Ion Redline 04-06 - 5x110mm; 70.3mm*; +49mm

*Wheels with hubs greater than 65.1mm may require a hub collar.

UPSTATEHHR

10-21-2006, 10:25 AM

I have 15" steel wheels with snow tires and they clear just fine.;)

thedonn007

10-22-2006, 07:08 AM

Pull your spare out and compare. That is a 15" steel wheel.

The other day I rotated my tires and used the spare to make things easier. The fit was tight, but GM must feel it's OK.

Good luck.

Keep in mind that you are only supposed to drive on the spare for what? 50 to 100 miles? Any heat build up that there might be from a smaller diameter wheel should not come in to affect at that short of a distance

SICKS.OH

12-23-2006, 12:40 PM