Minimum clearance front wheel to caliper

jerry witzel · 05-01-2019, 09:20 PM

What is the safe clearance between the front wheel and the brake caliper ? I finally replaced my front drum brakes with Aerospace discs but I have had a few issues. After spending almost another grand on 2 new front wheels to get the right offset my passenger wheel was against the caliper. I already had 1/2 spacers installed so I bought some .625 spacers but the right side is still very close. I'm afraid that when turning the wheel may flex and hit the caliper. So how close can the wheel be ? Can't put much more spacer on cause the front tire will hit the fender.

Jeff Stout · 05-02-2019, 10:50 AM

I just had this problem on my oldsmobile. Weld star rim and stock GM caliper. Im 1/4 clearance from hitting spokes on rim and have not seen any rubbing. I was thinking about putting used pads on to get caliber away from wheel as im not a fan of wheel spacers. But im only 90 mph.

Mike Pearson · 05-02-2019, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerry witzel

What is the safe clearance between the front wheel and the brake caliper ? I finally replaced my front drum brakes with Aerospace discs but I have had a few issues. After spending almost another grand on 2 new front wheels to get the right offset my passenger wheel was against the caliper. I already had 1/2 spacers installed so I bought some .625 spacers but the right side is still very close. I'm afraid that when turning the wheel may flex and hit the caliper. So how close can the wheel be ? Can't put much more spacer on cause the front tire will hit the fender.

I am guessing you don't have the caliper installed correctly. The parting line on the caliper should be lined up exactly with the center of the rotor. I have aerospace on my 68 Camaro and have no issue with clearance to the back side of the front wheel

jerry witzel · 05-02-2019, 08:01 PM

Mike, I will look at it again when I get the chance but I had to put a lot of shims behind the caliper brackets to get the least amount or drag especially on the passenger side. I ordered some .750 spacers today to try, won't have them till next week. After I put the car on the ground I do have more clearance between the tires and the fenders than what I thought. I will double check everything this weekend.

jerry witzel · 05-06-2019, 08:43 PM

Spot on Mike. I had the left side lined up perfect but the right was off abit. I took some shims out of the right side and got it lined up. Still don't have the clearance I would like but should be enough to not cause a problem.

05-01-2019, 09:20 PM	#1
jerry witzel Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Marion, Ohio Posts: 181 Likes: 3 Liked 35 Times in 14 Posts	Minimum clearance front wheel to caliper What is the safe clearance between the front wheel and the brake caliper ? I finally replaced my front drum brakes with Aerospace discs but I have had a few issues. After spending almost another grand on 2 new front wheels to get the right offset my passenger wheel was against the caliper. I already had 1/2 spacers installed so I bought some .625 spacers but the right side is still very close. I'm afraid that when turning the wheel may flex and hit the caliper. So how close can the wheel be ? Can't put much more spacer on cause the front tire will hit the fender.

05-02-2019, 10:50 AM	#2
Jeff Stout VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: phoenix Posts: 1,484 Likes: 65 Liked 704 Times in 281 Posts	Re: Minimum clearance front wheel to caliper I just had this problem on my oldsmobile. Weld star rim and stock GM caliper. Im 1/4 clearance from hitting spokes on rim and have not seen any rubbing. I was thinking about putting used pads on to get caliber away from wheel as im not a fan of wheel spacers. But im only 90 mph.

05-02-2019, 08:01 PM	#4
jerry witzel Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Marion, Ohio Posts: 181 Likes: 3 Liked 35 Times in 14 Posts	Re: Minimum clearance front wheel to caliper Mike, I will look at it again when I get the chance but I had to put a lot of shims behind the caliper brackets to get the least amount or drag especially on the passenger side. I ordered some .750 spacers today to try, won't have them till next week. After I put the car on the ground I do have more clearance between the tires and the fenders than what I thought. I will double check everything this weekend.

05-06-2019, 08:43 PM	#5
jerry witzel Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Marion, Ohio Posts: 181 Likes: 3 Liked 35 Times in 14 Posts	Re: Minimum clearance front wheel to caliper Spot on Mike. I had the left side lined up perfect but the right was off abit. I took some shims out of the right side and got it lined up. Still don't have the clearance I would like but should be enough to not cause a problem.