franczyk

Hi, I just bought some used rims, and it turns out that they do not fit on over the front calipers by just a TINY amount. Maybe 1 or 2 mm. In fact, the right wheel is able to spin but rubs slightly, so its probably less than 1mm on that side.

Does anyone know if I can use an angle grinder to grind off the few mm of metal from the calipers to make the rims fit and spin?

I currently have spacers on the wheels, but I don't prefer it since the wheels are not hub-centered and I get a little vibration at speed.

slickgt1

iTrader: (1)

I think you should be fine. It all depends on there you grind really. I have seen others people, (non lexus people) grind the callipers all the time.

NT2SHBBY

please don't do that for the sake of your car......I saw a guy with a CL500 who bought 20's and made the shop grind his calipers so they would fit...

just buy rims that will fit w/o modifying your existing car

jtanoyo1

If you grind on the "fat" side of the calipers, then you got plenty of metal allowance to be removed. You will be fine.

UptownGS

I've seen a few IS guys do it and as long as you dont grind away too much you should be fine!

but just a safe reminder.... next time buy wheels that fit your car rather then making your car fit your wheels..... unless you are some crazy guy like Jtanyo that gets everything perfect.

PHML

iTrader: (33)

just buy spacers....no need to get longer bolts if its 5mm or smaller.

Pete

SoCalSC4

I agree, I HATE spacers, but would much rather run a 3mm spacer than shave the caliper!

Oy! The only thing I shave are fenders and my skull...

GSing430

with 5mm spacer, you only get like 3 turns on the bolts.

Fisher503

What ever happened with this did you shave the calipers? Got pics?

sockfocks

iTrader: (1)

3 turns?....thats extremely dangerous

DoubleWhoosh

You can do this, but beware that some of the areas inside the caliper are passages that control where the pistons are or where the fluid flows. Corners, or flat broad areas aren't necessarily "safe" areas to grind. This is something left to someone with experience, as there is no way to explain what is ok or not ok.

Even if you are done and everything is good, you could have a rupture of the housing later, especially under hard braking. A brake system has thousands of PSI and a small fracture or thin area will definitely not hold up to this. This is why the caliper is a giant hunk of metal in the first place!