[zipstic]

I recently ordered some 15mm spacers for my pre-LCI E92 335xi and noticed something strange. After installing them, the rear wheel stuck out further on the drivers side compared to the passenger side.

When driving I was rubbing on the rear drivers side, but not the rear passenger side. I took the spacers off and verified that both spacers were in fact 15mm. (Of course when I did a test fitting before ordering the spacers I only tested on the passenger side.)

I installed spacers on the front too and visually they looked the same on both sides of the car and rode fine without any rubbing.

Is this typical? Is it possible my rear driver side hub sticks out further?

I am driving on aftermarket 313 19" wheels that I purchased from a vendor on this forum. I also have KW V1 installed. Tire wear is normal.

I think I'll put a smaller spacer on the passenger rear, but I haven't heard of many people (if any) having to do this.

Thoughts?

[TBN54]

There may be some debris/dust between where the spacer sits on the hub. I'd remove both and just make sure the surfaces are cleaned.

[zipstic]

Originally Posted by TBN54

There may be some debris/dust between where the spacer sits on the hub. I'd remove both and just make sure the surfaces are cleaned.

Thanks for your input. I'll take a look and see if there is any debris. When I had them on (I've taken them off for the time being) the car rode smooth and it appeared that it was a snug fit on the hub, but I'll check it out.

[shadow191]

How much further? Have your fenders been rolled? Did you check to make sure the wheels are the same offset? They may be off but you didn't notice since they were tucked in.

[t3chnobrat]

mine did the same thing. go get an alignment and all will be good.

[zipstic]

Originally Posted by shadow191

How much further? Have your fenders been rolled? Did you check to make sure the wheels are the same offset? They may be off but you didn't notice since they were tucked in.

~5MM different. My fenders have not been rolled.

I was wondering if my wheels were actually different offsets somehow. When I purchased them I ordered the same offset, but who knows if they actually were. Is there an easy way to check to see if they are the same offset? Is it printed on the wheel somewhere?

I might put my stock wheels or winter wheels on to see if the same thing occurs.

[shadow191]

Most wheels should have something stamped on the backside of the spokes. If not, you can always measure. Lay the wheel on the ground (face up of course) and measure the distance between the backpad (the part that mates with the hub) and the ground. Should be the same, if not, the offsets are different.

[zipstic]

Originally Posted by shadow191

Most wheels should have something stamped on the backside of the spokes. If not, you can always measure. Lay the wheel on the ground (face up of course) and measure the distance between the backpad (the part that mates with the hub) and the ground. Should be the same, if not, the offsets are different.

Makes sense to me! I'll try that out. Thanks for the help.

[Needbmwpartzz]

Are you running square set-up or staggered rims.....long shot I know but for ppl who don't know cars....plausible?!

[zipstic]

Originally Posted by t3chnobrat

mine did the same thing. go get an alignment and all will be good.

Did you have any uneven tire wear when you got your alignment done? Or noticeable ride quality issues?

[zipstic]

Originally Posted by Needbmwpartzz

Are you running square set-up or staggered rims.....long shot I know but for ppl who don't know cars....plausible?!

It's a staggered setup, but that shouldn't really matter in this case. 8" width in front and 9" in the rear. I'm just comparing the rear wheels, both 9", and one sticks out further than the other.

[fravel]

Originally Posted by zipstic

It's a staggered setup, but that shouldn't really matter in this case. 8" width in front and 9" in the rear. I'm just comparing the rear wheels, both 9", and one sticks out further than the other.

The wheel itself, or the tire?

If it's just the tire it could be due to low air pressure on that side. Less pressure on one side would cause the sidewall to bulge outward a little and giving the impression that the wheel is sticking out more.

I would guess that you noticed it after the spacers were put on because the tires are sitting closer to the fender now so it's more obvious.

[zipstic]

Originally Posted by fravel

The wheel itself, or the tire?

If it's just the tire it could be due to low air pressure on that side. Less pressure on one side would cause the sidewall to bulge outward a little and giving the impression that the wheel is sticking out more.

I would guess that you noticed it after the spacers were put on because the tires are sitting closer to the fender now so it's more obvious.

Hmmm, good point. I was looking more at the tire than the wheel.

I'll check the tire pressures...good thought!

[shadow191]

I don't think it would be the tire as on a 19" wheel, it's a pretty low sidewall. And if there was a bulge due to low tire pressure, it would be on the bottom of the wheel touching the ground, not the top where it's near the fender.

Also, your tire pressure were low enough to even bulge, your pressure light would be on. It triggers at ~25psi. I've seen as low as 10psi due to a leak and the tire doesn't bulge as much as one might think.

[t3chnobrat]

Originally Posted by zipstic

Did you have any uneven tire wear when you got your alignment done? Or noticeable ride quality issues?

Nope my allignment seemed perfect and it was the guy who rolled my fenders that pointed out how the camber was off. The gap between the rear right tire and fender and rear left were almost 1/4" off approx 8 mm

[fravel]

Originally Posted by zipstic

Hmmm, good point. I was looking more at the tire than the wheel.

I'll check the tire pressures...good thought!

Get it resolved?

[zipstic]

Originally Posted by fravel

Get it resolved?

The tire pressures were the same on both rear tires. I haven't had time yet to verify the offsets are the same, but that's my next step. If they are, then i'll check the hubs to see if there is any dust/debris. If that all looks good, then I think I'll look into an alignment.

[Underground6t9]

get an alignment, that will solve your problem.

[AllBlackBimmer]

verify your wheel offsets.

But something else to consider... not sure how long you owned your car, or where you got it from, but it could've been in an accident and not fixed properly, or not fixed at all.

Maybe it got hit the in rear quarter panel and the panels are not lined up, or fastened properly.

I would also check out your suspension, sounds like you checked the alignment though already so that would rule that out.

Hub lengths should absolutely not be different.
Check to make sure the spacer are seated correctly on the hub, AND on the inside lip of the wheels... with the wheel off, drop the spacer into the wheel hub to make sure it sits flush.

[AtlasM]

First off, are you checking this on a totally flat surface? If you've parked the car on something other than a totally flat concrete slab, there could easily be that kind of difference.

Second, once you have a nice flat spot to park, re-confirm the difference with a carpenter square, like this:



I got one at Harbor Freight for 4 bucks when I needed to measure my clearance for spacers. If there's a significant difference, most likely you need an alignment.