Rim mounting probs for 95 V6 Convertible

[Hanisberg]

Hi all. I'm new here.
I was hoping someone could help me.
I purchased 16" OEM firebird chrome 5-spoke rims from a 1998 T/A. I was placing them on my 1995 firebird convertible and the front rims fit perfectly as I swapped out my 16" rims for the chrome 16" rims. But in the rear, they wouldn't snap on the hub or lock in place??? What can I do? I was assured, by several places, that these OEM Pontiac T/A 16" chrome rims would fit any 93 to 2002 model-- with no problem. The guy who was helping me mount them on said it looks like the rear wheels were a problem maybe because of the drum brakes I have on the rear? He said there should be converters or adaptors for these rims so they can fit on firebird models with rear drum brakes, especially since they fit on the front of my car perfectly. I am a bit stumped as to what to do. Any help would be so appreciated.
Thanks

[andrew.brandon]

I was having similar problems, I think this works both ways, http://www.camarov6.com/cgi-bin/ulti...=003272#000000

[FirebirdGT]

http://www.tacreationsusa.com/firebird.htm#Chrome

I have the same issue.

[ March 18, 2005, 12:12 AM: Message edited by: FirebirdGT ]

[Hanisberg]

Will I need the spacer, or can I just file it down with a metal file? Do I actually file down the rim's bore or my drum brake's hub? I am assuming the rim's bore--right?
Thanks so much for all your help and prompt responses--this has been very helpful. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[ February 27, 2005, 02:36 PM: Message edited by: Hanisberg ]

[Hanisberg]

Well, I machined it down, and they're on perfectly! Yay! Thank you all so much, I am so relieved now! I was worried there for a while. I will put up a link to my car with images soon.

[Renzo]

Ok, i'm not sure what u guys are talkin' bout about filin' down the rim but i bought some 5 spoke rims from this guy's camaro and he told me the rims would fit my car. When i went to get them put on the guy told me the "lip" of the wheel (i guess in the back there's like a circle that goes around the wheel bearing) was too small and needed to be sanded to make the hole bigger. He said that was dangerous and he couldnt do it. So my question is if anybody knows what i'm talkin' about, what can i do?

[Hanisberg]

Well, I just sanded mine down and they fit and work perfectly. I don't see why they would be dangerous??? Perhaps He just didn't want to be responsible for messing up the rims by accident while sanding it? I put on my old rims and these, on and off to see a difference, and now I can't. So, unless I'm missing something, I don't see any danger--but I may be wrong.

[Renzo]

When u say sanding down ur rims u mean the outer edge of the rim? I'm talkin' about on the back of the wheel there is like a hole for the bearing

web page

i found that one google and thats what i'm talkin' about, he said it was too small, so how can i make it bigger? We might be talkin' about the same thing but i'm just confused

[Hanisberg]

No. I do mean the hole/bore on the back middle of the rim so that it will slip and fit onto the hub shaft.

[v6droptop]

that is dangerous. The hub portion of the axle is what centers the wheel and holds it in place. the lugnuts have some variances but the hub should fit snuggly.
drums and rear discs have a difference in that inner wheel diameter

[38fury]

THe difference isn't in the disc/drums its in the actual axle hub, '97 and newer cars have a narrower hub, thats why newer rims won't fit on '96 older f-bodys. Filing down that inner wheel isn't dangerous(if you know what your doing).