E30 Steering issues with new wheel/tire

[MinnE30]

Hello, i'm in dire need of some assistance.

I recently fitted some new tires and wheels to my convertible. 16x et25 tires 215/40/16. Unfortunately I had to run 10mm spacers to get the fronts to fit properly. The spacers said they were hub-centric which i double checked a million times. So I've had the wheels on with the front spacers and the steering wheel shakes uncontrollably at about 35mph. I've done some calling around and a few places told me I need an alignment for that big of change in wheel size. Another place said its not the alignment but it may need to be adjusted. Another place told me to undergo that large of a size change, I will need a whole new steering rack/components since they can't handle it? I'm lost and stressed. Any information or experience would be greatly appreciated.

[MinnE30]

16x8** apologies


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[Kershaw]

You said you checked if they're hubcentric a million times, I don't get this. If they are hubcentric, they sit perfectly on the hub, no movement whatsoever. It's not something you'd have to check more than twice.

Also, did you get your wheels balanced?

[MinnE30]

Wheels are balanced, the guy said they only needed
.5g and ran straight as rails


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[red325ix]

If the wheels are balanced and true with no flat spots in the tires or broken/shifted belts, then the only other explanation that I could think of would be an issue with hub alignment/size.

Have you refit your old wheel and tire package to make sure it isn't something else?

[MinnE30]

Old wheel/tire fit without the spacer with no issues


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[Kershaw]

He's saying to swap the old wheels back on and see if the problem persists. I recommend this too.

Then, using the old wheels, put the spacers on, and see if the problem persists again.

Process of elimination here.

[e30onBBSs]

Torqued your lugs?

[jeffnhiscars]

I removed some bbs rks and put on a set of Mille Miglias. Both were 16x7 and had 205/50/16 10 mm 4x100 hub centric spacers. After installing matching new tires on the Mille Miglias the car was undrivable and of course I blamed the tire installation

Seems I had inadvertantly swapped spacers so while they fit perfectly on the hub, it was only the lug nuts were keeping the wheels centered not the spacers.

Swapped in the correct spacers and that was that



.

[MinnE30]

I think I'm an idiot. Center bore problem, spacers too small. Sorry haha


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[jeffnhiscars]

I think I'm an idiot. Center bore problem, spacers too small. Sorry haha


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This is why we are here ! Lol

[MinnE30]

It's a learning process for sure


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[agent]

I wouldn't call the shop that recommended a new steering rack ever again.

[MinnE30]

I wouldn't call the shop that recommended a new steering rack ever again.

As a rule I avoid shops as much as possible


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