My totally effed up brake job day

I just need some sympathy.

For years, I've run MINI Cooper 15" wheels on my '05 Scion xB. The wheels cleared the calipers. Not by much, but by enough.

New pads and rotors went on today. NAPA stuff, not cheap junk. HOWEVER, the thickness of the metal between the hub and the wheel is thinner by just enough that now the wheels hit the calipers!

Well, the car is not drivable and I need to get to work tomorrow. I need a solution QUICK. So I walk (five miles round trip!) to Vato Zone. I buy some 1/4" wheel spacers. I hate wheel spacers. Quarter inch is also too thick. I'm not getting nearly as much thread engagement on the lug nuts as I want to.

In the long run, I will need to buy some wheels that fit the Scion properly. Sadly, that's not in the budget right now.

For the short term, I see two options: Find some 1/8" spacers, or try buying Genuine Toyota rotors and see if they fit better. Ugh.

And to top off my day, the anti-rattle springs rattle and squeal like crazy.

Sorry, just venting.

4X100, right?

Sounds like you only need 3 or 4 milimeters of spacer to make everything copacetic again.

Is it not grind able? What's hitting?

I would not be adverse to adjusting the caliper with a grinder, if it's just a little bit. BTDT. It would depend on where on the caliper it's rubbing.

I think a 1/8" or less spacer would be a decent permanent solution.

8mm spacers usually fit without any lug bolt length problems.

I have also taken a grinder to the caliper of my old GTI to fit some Shelby wheels. Same deal, didn't notice the problem until fresh/thick pads.

If it's so off spec the wheels won't fit, it ain't quality.

xflowgolf wrote: Is it not grind able? What's hitting?

Interesting thought, my friend. I went and took a look, and the bits that are hitting aren't anywhere near where any brake fluid lives. Certainly worth buying a HF grinder over.

In reply to EvanR:

Lot of low cost "solutions" all stacked up on top of each other up in here.

foxtrapper wrote: If it's so off spec the wheels won't fit, it ain't quality.

Normally, I would agree. But with MINI wheels on Scion hubs, all that goes out the window. Now if OEM Scion wheels hit, I would say that was an issue.

In reply to EvanR:

Stacked tolerances & reduced margins issue; factory rotor fit, replacement didn't.

pres589 wrote: In reply to EvanR: Stacked tolerances & reduced margins issue; factory rotor fit, replacement didn't.

True enough, but that's now water under the bridge. I will say that I won't be buying NAPA rotors ever again.

Less barks, moar sparks!!! Get to grindin! Or get some little spacers. If I was 5 miles down the road, I'd be at your place with a pile o' wheels :(

Not the rotors fault, likely. The pads are thicker, pushing the body of the caliper out closer to the wheel. Find a set of half worn pads and go...or get out the grinder. Theres always lots of meat on the calipers...

Finale:

Twenty dollars worth of HF grinder later, the wheels clear the calipers. Vato Zone took back the $18 spacers, so let's call it a wash.

I think I'll buy some caliper paint though, because the wheels are pretty wide open and the grinds look like poo.

Thanks, as always for all the helpful advice.