VAC Motorsports Hub Extender Won't Fit

[intoflatlines]

http://store.vacmotorsports.com/vac-...ers-p2191.aspx

I bought these hub extenders after confirming with VAC via email that it was the correct one for the Z4M. They said to go with the E36/E46 style. But it really seems like they will not fit on. Are these an extremely tight fight such that it truly feels like it is the wrong size, or should it go in relatively easily?

[Steeler]

Oops read OP wrong

[Finnegan]

I have the Turner version. It's a very tight fit! It has to be super tight to provide any benefit. Follow DBarton's advice. Even then it's going to be a tight fit though. So I'll offer you the options and methods that I used to attach mine.

There are two approaches you can use to get that installed.

The first is to use a hard rubber mallet. Start it and then tap away. Might take a few minutes working around the extender at 9, 12, 3, 6 o'clock points.

The other option is to get a very short 2 x 4, push that up against the hub extender, and then "tap" away at it with a low poundage sledge. I found this to be much easier than using the rubber mallet in fact.

[intoflatlines]

I got my calipers out and measured. Diameter of the hub extender is 66.0mm, inner diameter of the hub is ~64.7mm

Does this seem right? Maybe I'm just not manhandling it enough. Between this and my oil change annoyance, this has not been a good week for me

[intoflatlines]

Originally Posted by dbarton62

Oops read OP wrong

What did you say? Finnegan said to follow your advice

[Steeler]

Originally Posted by intoflatlines

What did you say? Finnegan said to follow your advice

I thought you were talking about the wheel centre originally, not the hub bore.

I suggested you clean the oxidation from the bore with a pot scrubber or better still a wire cup brush on an electric drill, although 1.3mm as measured seems excessive for corrosion.

[intoflatlines]

Yeah, take a look at the first pic I added above. There wasn't much corrosion on the inside, it seems. I took a pick and scoured it up real good inside and nothing was really coming off except for some grease. It really seemed like corrosion wasn't a factor there. But it would be a good idea to try a wire brush, although I'm not sure it would remove and more residue vs. the picks I used.

[Finnegan]

Silly question: did you remove the dust cap? I see it's still there in the pics. (Dust cap has to come off first. Then hub extender goes on. Acts as new dust cap.)

[Jumbosock]

Seems like a lot of trouble for such a small offset change. My personal rule is to use a large enough spacer that has the hub portion (10mm spacer) or I don't use a spacer at all.

[intoflatlines]

Originally Posted by Finnegan

Silly question: did you remove the dust cap? I see it's still inum the pics. (Dust cap has to come off first. Then hub extender goes on. Acts as new dust cap.)

Well that would explain it... I'm an idiot. Thought I looked and didn't think it could come off. Any "secret" to pulling it off or just try to work a screwdriver in there and pry it out?

Originally Posted by Jumbosock

Seems like a lot of trouble for such a small offset change. My personal rule is to use a large enough spacer that has the hub portion (10mm spacer) or I don't use a spacer at all.

I have limited camber to work with (stock suspension with camber washers) and running without a spacer is not an option right now because I rub the strut. If I go out too far more I will probably rub on the outside. Had I realized I was getting camber washers I would have gotten a different offset wheel though.

[Finnegan]

No worries. Turner instructions noted this step.

I used an awl and worked around the outside. Got enough off to use needle nose pliers.

It's a one use flimsy cap, so don't try to save it. Careful removal only as much as it keeps the inner surface intact.

I used a small spacer for exactly the same reasons. Fine tuning.

[RADRACR]

Question: I have a 5mm spacer on rear with no extenders. I can still hang the wheel on the hub but just barely. The above pic with the spacer installed looks like the extension you would get from a thicker spacer. So I think an extension is not needed. Am I missing something?

[intoflatlines]

Originally Posted by Finnegan

No worries. Turner instructions noted this step.

I used an awl and worked around the outside. Got enough off to use needle nose pliers.

It's a one use flimsy cap, so don't try to save it. Careful removal only as much as it keeps the inner surface intact.

I used a small spacer for exactly the same reasons. Fine tuning.

Good tips, I'll give it a shot tonight. Yeah no instructions were included with the VAC product, probably because they thought it was idiot-proof!

Originally Posted by RADRACR

Question: I have a 5mm spacer on rear with no extenders. I can still hang the wheel on the hub but just barely. The above pic with the spacer installed looks like the extension you would get from a thicker spacer. So I think an extension is not needed. Am I missing something?

I don't think that hub extenders will fit on the rear because of the design of the rear hub. At least, that's my recollection. The issue with the fronts is that while there is hub remaining with a 5mm spacer, it is not enough to reliably keep the wheel centered. When I pull off my wheel bolts with the 5mm spacer in front, the wheel immediately pops off. And when mounting, it's a struggle to keep the wheel centered 100% even with two threaded wheel hangers because the wheel's weight wants to separate it from the few millimeters of remaining hub.

[intoflatlines]

Got the hub extenders on, and the wheel vibration is gone. Thanks for pointing out my mistake Finnegan!

[inTgr8r]

^ excellent

[Finnegan]

Originally Posted by intoflatlines

Got the hub extenders on, and the wheel vibration is gone. Thanks for pointing out my mistake Finnegan!

Excellent!

Things like this are why we all are here! I can't begin to state how many things I've learned, or how many problems I've been able to solve, or how many things I didn't understand, until I spent some time on this forum.