Older rims don't fit newer van!

[tmsnyder]

Hi,

I got a set of 15 inch Caravan rims with the same bolt pattern as my '03 T&C and had new 205/70/R15 snow tires mounted on them. They are beautiful (I'm in Buffalo, ok, snow tires look pretty good to me right now!), trouble is they don't fit!

The old style rims have bumps that hit the caliper. The difference between the two rims where contact is made with the caliper is just over 0.5". In other words, the old style rim comes about 0.5" closer to the caliper than the new style rim at its closest point (where it hits).

In addition, the backspacing is different by about 0.250". The inner bead of the new style rim is further in than the old style rim.

I'm thinking about buying wheel spacers to hold the rims 0.5" off the hub.

Has anyone run into this problem with old style rims on a newer Caravan or Town and Country? Can I get away with a 0.250" spacer?

Thanks in advance,
Todd

[sabre62]

Originally Posted by tmsnyder

Hi,

I got a set of 15 inch Caravan rims with the same bolt pattern as my '03 T&C and had new 205/70/R15 snow tires mounted on them. They are beautiful (I'm in Buffalo, ok, snow tires look pretty good to me right now!), trouble is they don't fit!

The old style rims have bumps that hit the caliper. The difference between the two rims where contact is made with the caliper is just over 0.5". In other words, the old style rim comes about 0.5" closer to the caliper than the new style rim at its closest point (where it hits).

In addition, the backspacing is different by about 0.250". The inner bead of the new style rim is further in than the old style rim.

I'm thinking about buying wheel spacers to hold the rims 0.5" off the hub.

Has anyone run into this problem with old style rims on a newer Caravan or Town and Country? Can I get away with a 0.250" spacer?

Thanks in advance,
Todd

Todd I used 2 washers on each stud from the hardware store which brougt the wheel out approx 3/16" cleared caliper and has worked fine for 25K Back was drums so no problem Gordon 2002 voyager using 99 T&C Limited wheels

[tmsnyder]

Great, thank you. I just ordered a pair of wheel spacers from NAPA which are 5/16" thick, ~$25 for the pair including shipping and tax.

Not the ideal solution, I'd rather have the right rims but this should work.

Glad to hear that it only needs 3/16" on the fronts and none on the rears.

Todd

[tmsnyder]

The 5/16" spacers from NAPA p/n 735-4955 work but they're a sloppy fit on the lugs. I had to stuff spitballs of wet tissue paper in between the lugs and the holes in the spacers to hold it up in the approximate center of the hub before putting on the wheel.

It was pointed out to me (after the fact naturally) that I should have had the snow tires mounted on two of the old style rims and two of the new style rims. The newer style rims would go on the front and the older style for the rears, they would fit with no problem and I'd end up with two sets of wheels and rims.

[tmsnyder]

I forgot to mention also that even with a 5/16" shim one of the front rims seems to be skimming the caliper occasionally during hard stops. So I may swap the tires around to end up with two new rims and two old rims after all and not use the spacer.