A few questions as I begin taking front end apart....

[toddu]

I'm about to begin a front suspension refresh as things feel slightly loose, I notice cracked bushings, etc.

I got as far as loosening the steering coupler (going to drop the rack), getting the front end in the air, and getting the wheels off.

2 questions -

1) I've been undecided about the wheels on my car. I really like the original look, and I have what appear to be Boxster rims when I look up the part number. But, they clearly say "Made in Italy". After market??? This would potentially make me less prone to keep them.

2) I had some front end shimmy above 75mph. I'll take the wheels to get them spin balanced. Tie rods don't look so hot, but I'll be replacing them along with most everything else anyway. But, my spacers are 2 pieces. A large piece bolted to the hub, and then a maybe 3/8" piece that sort of just sits between the wheel and the spacer. I've read about shimmy from incorrect spacers (I have to take mine off yet to see if they are hub-centric). Is 2 peices normal? Is it just so you can more easily get in and torque down the "main" spacer?

Always appreciate the help guys!!! Several of you have inspired me to tackle this project which will include turbo tie-rods, ER poly-bronze bushings, monoballs, probably paint or powder coat everything based on some pics I've seen on here.

Cheers,
Todd

[Oh Haha]

The front hubs act like spacers, sort of. It sounds as if you have aftermarket wheels. It aslo sounds like yo have slip on spacers.
Most times, if your front end pieces are in good shape, a shimmy is from the tires. Get them balanced and have the shop check for a bent wheel if they can.

[cbeers]

To me, it sounds like you have bolt on hub spacer/adapters along with slip on spacers. I had some hub mounted spacers and they were fine, but not usually allowed on a track day. AX is fine. The ones I had bolted to the hub and had another set of studs built in the adapter. I got rid of them and went with 7s/8s instead

The wheels you have sound like aftermarket......

One thing I can tell you, once you are done with this you will be amazed at how good your car feels! I just got finished last weekend and can't believe what a difference it has made in my car!

-Chris

[toddu]

I'm not even sure why I asked about the wheel's. Of course a German car company is not going to have wheels made in Italy.

Anyway, glad to hear your project was a success. Can't wait to get mine done, but I have a feeling it will take several weekends. I'm preparing for a little one on the way, so there are MANY projects around the house to complete before due day (March 23rd).

Should I be able to get the hubs off with the spacers (probably 3" deep) still on? As I spin the nuts holding the spacers on, the bolt itself is starting to spin. Doesn't seem to be much room to get a wrench on the back while the whole thing is still on the spindle.

So, 7's and 8's - no spacers or adapters needed? I keep leaning more towards correct wheels. 17's just fill the fenders so nicely though.

[Oh Haha]

Can you get some pictures of the hubs?
I am getting confused on what you actually have.
Many wheels made in Italy are found on German cars, BTW.

[toddu]

I will snap a pic in a bit. I think I mispoke, and that what I really have are adapters. Well, adapters, and then a small slip on spacer. The adapters bolt on, and then the wheel bolts to those. Looking at it, I think these are actually just the factory hubs. (I know.. you need a picture). The PO told me he had some wheel shimmy after putting the rims on, but it got better after putting the spacers (or adapters, forgot exactly what he said) on. The back definetly has a chunky spacer on it.

Adapters and spacers are new to me. Last toy car I had was a '71 Chevelle. Nothing complicated on that thing.

[cbeers]

Sounds to me like adapters and then a thin spacer as well. Probably needed to fit those wheels as they are probably not made for an SC.

The 7s and 8s fit very well. I tried to run a 225 up front on the 7s but too much rubbing to deal with, so back to 205s. As it turned out, stock sized tires on one inch wider wheels really tightened up the sidewalls and made for good performance, even if only slightly different.

For your other question about getting the adapter off with the hub, I think you can take it all off as a unit, but again, until we see what you have, who knows?

-Chris

Pic to follow of a stock front hub.....

[cbeers]

Here you go



Not the best shot, but what I had available at work.....

-Chris

[cbeers]

If THIS is what you have, it's stock.

Take off the dust cap to see that allen bolt set up to remove the hub. Once that's off, take it to the work bench and put an impact on the nuts to remove rotor etc.

-Chris

[toddu]

Ok, so it appears I've got stock hubs, not adapters. And a thin slip on spacer you can see laying on the floor. Much bigger spacers in the rear (1.5 inch probably).

Sorry about the pic, snapped it with my smartphone.



Still thinking of swaping out my wheels though.

[ulrichd]

Todd,
I had an annoying shimmy on my 78SC as well. Wheels balanced out ok, it finally went away after I changed the balljoints.

Ulrich