okay,thinking about trying this again with rims. so with a 18x8 40mm offset,will that put me closer to the fender??? i will be using the stock tires.

 

I don't know what the stock numbers are, but if you use them, this calculator can show you what wheel changes will net you. You can then measure from you current setup and get an idea if it will work.

It seems to me somebody here is already running this size, but if you like to figure it out for yourself, this will help.

http://www.1010tires.com/WheelOffsetCalculator.asp

 

Stock is 42mm, so I doubt you will notice the difference of 2mm.
HHR owners have done 38mm without problems, its a little closer to the fender but still clears.

 

that size and offset will work fine. as previously stated the stock offset on the 7.5 wheel is +42.......on the 8" wheel with a +40 offset the inside of the wheel will be 4mm closer to the strut and the outside of the will be 6mm closer to the fender. so to answer your question yes it will push it out 6mm

 

Anybody know the backspace on the factory 17 inch wheels? I know they are 7.5 wide and 42 mm offset.

I hit a curb and ruined my front drivers wheel, and they are no longer available (thats what happens when you buy cheap foreign wheels). So now I am forced to buy 4 new wheels. Oh well, the old ones were getting dirty anyways.

 

Stock tires ?? you haven't worn them out yet?? I have 18x8 55 offset with a 15mm spacer, with 255x40's they fit just right.

 

No, I ditched my stock tires years ago. About 3 years ago, after a small snow fall, I hit the brakes at a stop sign and skidded right through it. Then, I tried going up a small hill and had a hard time making it up. I went straight to a friend that owns a tire store and he hooked me up with a set of Goodyear Assurance Triple Tred's, and I love them.

I was talking about the wheel size. I had bought wheels I found on the internet that looked great. The only problem is that there was only 1 dealer in the US that imported them, and now they no longer sell them. And since I just destroyed one, it is time to select new wheels. I see that Tire Rack has several different sizes for the HHR, different offsets and back spaces, so I just wanted to see what size the factory ones are.

 

40mm off set with going up to 8" wide on the rim size will bring you slightly closer to the fender, but not so much it will cause any problems with steering or rock chips or anything like that. I have 8x18 with 42mm offset and have no problems what so ever, and I am running 235/40-18 tires. I am actually thinking of finding some 8.5x18 rims with 35mm off set so I can run some 255s or maybe some 9inch wide rims so I can run something bigger.