I have a set of 17" RE wheels on the way, and I would like to remove the centers and send them out for refinishing, and possibly a powdercoat. They already have tires mounted/balanced, and I was wondering if removing the center while a tire was already mounted would be safe for the rim? Also, I dont think I will be able to actually get a hold of anyone at RE to find out the torque specs on the bolts that hold the center section to the rim , so I was wondering if anyone could suggest a torque spec ( If it is similar for any multi-piece wheel), and if a thread locker should be used? Thanks alot..

 

i wouldent remove the center with the tire on, there is a very good posibility that the wheels will leak when you put them back together. on the tourqe, depending on the size of the fastener, its usualy about 14-18 ft lbs on most wheels ive done, but it could be more, or less, id suggust puting your tourqe wrench in reverse and starting at 10 lbs and work your way up by 2 lbs a time until the bolt breaks loose, and try it on a few other bolts and see if you get the same reading.

 

Thanks alot, thats what I was thinking of doing with the torque wrench. Could you explain to me why the tire would leak from removing the wheel center?

 

Also a quick question about tire sizing. Would a 255/45r17 tire fit ok up front with 17x8.5 wheels in a 42mm offset? I know 255/40 is about stock height, but my rear tires are 275/40, and a 255/45 would be the same height as those. Im just wondering if it will be too tall and rub, since it is ~1" taller than stock.

 

that wont fit at all in the front...

8,5J +42 will fit if you have aftermarket shocks, but then your tire will be the problem!
225 wide is max at the front!

 

I think you are a bit confused. 42mm offset will push the wheel out 8mm further (toward the fender) as compared to stock (50mm offset). Even adding the 6mm per side extra per wheel ( 1/2 width more than stock - .25" per side=6mm ), still equates to 2mm extra inside clearance as compared to the stock wheels. You can fit a 245/45r16 on the stock wheels with no clearance issues, so a 255 with in my offset will be absolutely no problem for inside clearance. Even if it were , you would need smaller diameter coilsprings to take care of the problem, not "shocks" ( FDs do not have shocks, they use struts). If anything I will be running a bit close to the fender, but I am prepared for that and will roll them if needed. Im just looking to see if the extra height of the 45 series tire vs. a 40 series on a 255r17 will cause more of a problem that way.

 

umm not for nothing but i have 255's 17 on my front...3rd gen, then fit, tokico shocks and eibach springs...no fender plastic however, depends on what u wanna forfiet, and no comfort

 

Just deflat the tire pressure and you will be fine with the tire installed on the rim. The rim section is very strong and it should not deform.

For bolt torque, you can check the size of the bolt and I have a guide for how much torque to apply on the bolt based on SAE standard. I believe most automobile nut and bolt is grade 10.8. Bolts are usually torqued to have 75-80% of their proof load. Make sure you use locktile on the bolt too.

BC