4th Gen Rim Changes?

[CHMLEON]

Did the diameter of the hole in the center of the rim change any between years and/or models of the 4th Gen Firebird?

I bought 4 plain stock silver painted 4th gen Firebird rims last year and I am just now getting around to mounting 1 to replace a warped rim. When I went to fit the new rim on the car it won't fit. It seams that the hole in the center of the rim is to small. I get the rim on the studs but it just wants to wable around on the the metal coming from the center of my rear drum brake.

I did look at the inside of the new rim and compared it to the old one. All the part numbers look the same. I do not have a micrometer to check the size of the center hole in the rim though.

Any help would be great.

Thanks

[CHMLEON]

Nevermind found this at camaross.com

WHY WON'T MY NEW WHEELS FIT OVER THE REAR HUBS ON MY 4TH GEN?

The 1993 to "late" 1996 4th Gen F-Bodies have a larger hub on the rear axle than on the front spindles. The rear axle hubs are about 0.03" larger in diameter than the front hubs. This problem was corrected in late 1996 model year or possibly in early 1997.

As a result, if you buy C4 or C5 wheels, or if you buy 1997 or newer F-Body wheels, they may not fit on the rear hubs of your 1993-1996 F-Body.

The solution is very simple. First, DO NOT FORCE THEM ON WITH THE LUGS! Very dangerous, and you may not be able to get them off. You need to lightly sand or grind (e.g. - Dremel) the inside diameter of the hub hole in the back of the wheel. Don't go nuts.... just remove enough metal so the wheel cleanly fits over the rear hubs, with no interference.

Think about doing this to all 4 wheels, so you can "rotate" the tires in the future.

This will not harm the wheels.... you are taking off the thickness of a sheet of paper. Just be sure you do a neat, smooth job. This will also NOT affect the centering of the wheels on the hubs. The 4th Gen wheels are "lug-centric" - they are centered by the conical lugs, not by the hubs.

[SoulTerror]

Good luck with it.

[kammi10]

good info right there

[OIF1VET]

Sounds like an easy fix... Lot easier then grinding calipers, let me tell you...lol