So you may have seen me post a post about some new alloys a few weeks ago. Now I've ran into a few problems, as I do....

The offset difference was enough to rub on the calipers. To solve I bought some spacers/shims. Now the issue I'm having is that the bolts are too short for my liking and also the hub centre bit doesn't sit though the wheel. I'm pretty stuck on how to resolve this, would anyone be able able to point me to what I should look at doing to resolve the issue

Hubcentric spacers. But they'll need to be minimum of 15mm to include studs and that might be more than you'd like.

Ford Fiesta Wheel Spacers Hub Centric Forged 15 mm 63.4 4:108 pair MK6 MK7 | eBay UK

12 hours ago, Cacti said:

So you may have seen me post a post about some new alloys a few weeks ago. Now I've ran into a few problems, as I do....

The offset difference was enough to rub on the calipers.

So these 7J 17s with offset 47.5 rub on the calipers? That I did not expect.

1 hour ago, orangecurry said:

So these 7J 17s with offset 47.5 rub on the calipers? That I did not expect.

Yep, I found out the hard way and stupidly forgot to check before dropping the car down to spin it around to do the other side.

The stock set up seems that you'll get rubbing (grinding) with stock setup. A 5mm spacer seems to have sorted, but then the hub centre doesn't fit in the wheels which will add extra stress to bolts and you also lose some threads for the lugs to bite to, 5mm ofc.

***** pain in the backside!

It is usually not the offset of the wheels that causes the interference. It is the internal shape of the wheels.

Even wheels from a different Ford model with the correct dimensions (offset, width and diameter) can sometimes interfere with the brake calipers while other wheel designs with the exact same dimensions fit without any problems.

I recall another thread where the poster had problems with wheels intended for the ST (which had a wider track). That was on a Mk 8 though, I've never been able to clarify that for the Mk 7, though the ad below suggests a compatibility issue.

https://www.caraccessoriesplus.co.uk/products/ford-fiesta-st-17-alloy-wheel-graphite-matte

So they only fit on an ST from 2012 until 2017?

4 minutes ago, orangecurry said:

So they only fit on an ST from 2012 until 2017?

Found this link from a post on: https://www.fiestastoc.com/threads/17inch-performance-wheels-compatible-with-mk8-st-2.331325/

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/397494039371?

Seems to suggest (FWIW) they're compatible with a whole range of Mk 8s and the Mk 7.5 and ST.

So not much help, unfortunately, given that Cacti has run into problems.

10 hours ago, orangecurry said:

So they only fit on an ST from 2012 until 2017?

4 hours ago, Eric Bloodaxe said:

Found this link from a post on: https://www.fiestastoc.com/threads/17inch-performance-wheels-compatible-with-mk8-st-2.331325/

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/397494039371?

Seems to suggest (FWIW) they're compatible with a whole range of Mk 8s and the Mk 7.5 and ST.

So not much help, unfortunately, given that Cacti has run into problems.

Yeah, so you'll need a minimum of 3mm, but a 5mm will fit brilliantly on the front. I don't recommend getting a shim as you'll need an extension spigot for the hub and you'll also need some likely longer M12 wheel studs. A 15mm spacer would work fine, I've ordered one. And I'll see what 20mm on the back would look like. Still cheaper than getting a new set of stock wheels by a long shot, just more of a PITA than I imagined. Thought it would be swap out in 10 mins and not 2 weeks of faffing!

With the studs i think stock are 47mm around 55 would be fab, but I came here asking if anyone knows a major motor factor that would happen to sell longer wheel studs as ecp, gfs and motor parts don't seem to have anything when searching, unless they are cross compatible with more cars.

Rears go on without a hitch, but a hub center ring (forgot what they're called) would also be beneficial.

9 minutes ago, Cacti said:

longer wheel studs

Seem to be a few like this on Ebay and others :https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/304565258441?

https://www.burtonpower.com/parts-by-category/transmission-clutch-wheels/wheel-spacers-studs-nuts.html

https://150motorsport.com/collections/st180-suspension/products/fiesta-st150-extended-wheel-studs-x8-20mm

On many Ford models, the wheel studs cannot be replaced without removing the entire wheel hub assembly, especially on the front. There is often not enough clearance to remove and install the studs past the steering knuckle.

Some people grind material off the steering knuckle to create enough space, but this is generally considered a poor repair practice.

I am not sure whether there is sufficient clearance on the Fiesta.


As a general rule of engineering, a wheel nut must be engaged on the stud for at least a length equal to the diameter of the stud in order to achieve full strength. This is commonly referred to as the “1 x D rule”.

When this requirement is met, the stud to nut connection is stronger than the stud itself. In other words, the stud would fail before the threads strip.

On most Ford models, high tensile strenth M12 x 1.5 mm wheel studs and nuts are used.

12 mm ÷ 1.5 mm per turn = 8 full turns

In practice, this means that small spacers (often 5 mm, and sometimes even 8 mm) can be used without compromising the strength of the stud to nut connection (provided that at least those 8 full turns of proper thread engagement are still achieved).

I've just test-fitted one of mine on the front - it seems to be ok. It's very close, but after spinning it around with 2 nuts tightened, there are no marks on caliper or wheel.

2009 Zetec S 1.6 - are the calipers/track different on the S?

...had to check the other side - OCD.

Don't forget it's a sliding caliper, brand new pads push the caliper further out than worn pads.

1 hour ago, orangecurry said:

2009 Zetec S 1.6 - are the calipers/track different on the Zetec S

Some years since I had a Mk 7 but when deciding between Titanium and ZS I was given to understand that the Mk 7 brakes were the same for a given engine size, irrespective of trim level. If anything you might have expected the ZS to have larger calipers.

Of course, individual cars do differ, wear can affect things, and with older cars parts may have been changed since they left the factory.

PS - Just seen the close ups - that does look tight! I thought mine were pretty near - sitting about 6mm away at present.

PPS - that wheel does look good on the car!

49 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

Don't forget it's a sliding caliper, brand new pads push the caliper further out than worn pads.

Experienced this before on a Focus MK1 with Mondeo MK2 ST24 wheels.

With (partly) worn brake pads and discs there was just a few mm of clearance between the brake caliper and the wheel. However, after replacing the brake pads and discs the wheels were interfering with the brake calipers.

The owner of that car decided to machine a few mm of friction material off of the new brake pads instead of fixing the problem properly.

1 hour ago, TomsFocus said:

Don't forget it's a sliding caliper, brand new pads push the caliper further out than worn pads.

I'll have to take it apart again and see if I can work out maximum travel.

But to the OP - @Cacti do you have new pads in your car?

Mine are a few thousand miles old now, but I rarely brake 😇 as it's bad for the environment.

1 hour ago, Eric Bloodaxe said:

Some years since I had a Mk 7 but when deciding between mTitanium and ZS I was given to understand that the Mk 7 brakes were the same for a given engine size, irrespective of trim level. If anything you might have expected the ZS to have larger calipers.

Of course, individual cars do differ, wear can affect things, and with older cars parts may have been changed since they left the factory.

yes I can't imagine anything is different, but worth asking. I know my S has 'sport suspension' i.e. slightly lower, and I have put aftermarket standard Brembo discs and pads on, but I doubt any of those parts have different dimensions from factory parts.

1 minute ago, orangecurry said:

but I doubt any of those parts have different dimensions from factory parts.

Likewise. I was thinking more about Cacti's car as he seems to have a greater issue.

BTW I was having another search round on the question of track. I know the "normal" Mk 8 has a wider track than the Mk 7/7.5, and the ST (and Active) wider still.

Can't find anything to suggest that's the case with the Mk 7 though. I did find a couple of old Autocar road tests, one for the 1.6ST and an earlier one for 1.4 Zetec - both showed front track as 1492mm.

But as Ford themselves say, this wheel fits the Fiesta from 2012 onwards....

8 minutes ago, orangecurry said:

But as Ford themselves say, this wheel fits the Fiesta from 2012 onwards....

Which ties in with the compatibility list on the EBay ad which has nothing earlier than 2013MY and suggests something may be different on facelift (Mk 7.5) cars?