I think it is the offset solstice is 55 and SS is 40 so I subtracted 40 from 55 leaves 15 so I bought 15mm spacers. 255x40 fits sweet and they ride like silk. You can do yours any way you want it's your life. I have had a few sizes, 225x45 245x40 and 255x40 with two different wheels. I think capp is running 235x40, and RobbSS is running 265x40 so what is proper tire size ?I like these the best.

 

yes im running 235 40 and car is lowered alot and no issues

 

I have a LS. The suspension set up is different then the ss. So what I'm trying to understand is..........why is it that some are saying they have no rubbing problems and others are saying they needed to grind and use spacers.?
This makes no sense. All I can come up with is that the ss uses bigger brakes and the suspention is different to cause interference with a wider wheel?
Some one please explain why there's two different answers for this?

 

Nux. I don't think they're talking brake/rim rubbing issues here. The brakes are going to be "inside" of the rim.( SS's do come w/2 front brake choices: the standard or optional larger Brembos: could be some rim clearance issue for folks with Brembos)
Most of what I've read are the folks having the tires rubbing on the suspension. This seems to vary,depending on tire size and/or tire maker. Some have had to shim. Others not. The clearance on an SS with the stock tire/wheel combo is already real close. Those that have changed over just have to see how their clearance is and decide if shimming is needed. There is no definite yes or no answer.

 

You summed it up right there George, there is no definite "yes or no" answer, unless you absolutely duplicate someone's setup exactly...there will be variations.

Back to OT(sort of, there is an HHR involved)...Loaded up the NOS spare drive shaft for the '37 Carryall into the Spousemobile(after using some old blankets to protect the interior from grease/rust), and off it went to be shortened 11 7/8" so I can finish the overdrive installation in the ancient critter.

Even though the owner of the place where the shaft is being shortened and balanced knows his stuff, the kid at the counter left me wondering if he even understood the concept of what needs doing. I know I shouldn't judge, but the nose rings and the words "born loser" tattooed on his forehead have me thinking I should call the owner to make doubly sure my drive shaft doesn't end up 11 7/8" long instead on just being shortened by that amount.

 

My first set of Solstice wheels were on my 2LT, I put them on, drove it a few miles and when I got back there was melted rubber stuck to the inside of the rim.Pulled the front wheels and tires back off of it and found that the tire was rubbing on the bracket that the sway bar end link bolts to on the strut. Thus, shimming outwards was required to give adequate space in between so I didnt waste the tires. I was lowered on Goldline Generation 2 lowering springs. As far as why other people have not shimmed the wheels out beets the hell out of me, the experience I had with mine was I had too or I would have ended up blowing out my front 2 tires. All you can do is put them on and try, if you have clearance issues then you must shim the wheels out, if there isnt any, then you got lucky, but having owned 2 different HHR's and on my 2nd set of Solstice wheels, I know the issues and have done what I did with the first set of wheels I had.

 

Ok. So shimmed means spacers? Thats it? And just longer nuts? Then im ready to go?

 

Yes, shimmed means spacers. Depends on how thick of spacers you decide to go with, SSFan put in longer studs because he is running a 15mm thick spacer, I only have 7mm thick spacers on mine and just bought a set of extended tip lug nuts just to make sure I have enough threads engaged on the nuts/studs.

 

So you used my quote. Were you agreeing with me or pointing out something I said was wrong? I was just trying to clarify the rubbing issue to a previous poster.
You guys that have done this swap would definitley know the answers here. My hats off to you.

 

I was agreeing with the tire rubbing issue on the bracket. You didnt say anything wrong, lol.