Alloy wheel issues on Volvo 544

[Salop Farmer]

Can anyone shine light on a couple of issues I have come across when attempting to fit Minilight style wheels to my PV. The wheels I purchased where from R&R Alloys 5.5 x 15, 114.3PCD, ET20 and are a common fitment on Amazons. In order to clear the kingpin forging at its top end ( castor/camber adjustment clamp bolt area) I have had to fit 5 mm thick plate spacers between hub and wheel at the front. Not ideal as wheel nuts no longer engage fully on studs. Secondly as I have done the disc brake conversion to the front axle on my car the flexible brake hoses make contact with the tyre even at half lock. I know I am not the first person to fit this style of Alloy wheel to their 544, so any advice would be very much appreciated.

[arcturus]

Originally Posted by Salop Farmer

Can anyone shine light on a couple of issues I have come across when attempting to fit Minilight style wheels to my PV. The wheels I purchased where from R&R Alloys 5.5 x 15, 114.3PCD, ET20 and are a common fitment on Amazons. In order to clear the kingpin forging at its top end ( castor/camber adjustment clamp bolt area) I have had to fit 5 mm thick plate spacers between hub and wheel at the front. Not ideal as wheel nuts no longer engage fully on studs. Secondly as I have done the disc brake conversion to the front axle on my car the flexible brake hoses make contact with the tyre even at half lock. I know I am not the first person to fit this style of Alloy wheel to their 544, so any advice would be very much appreciated.

Sell the alloys and fit back the original steels

[old fart]

Sounds like the offset must be different for Amazon and PV. Presumably because of the thickness of alloy wheels as apposed to steels, which are interchangeable.
As for the brake hose, perhaps the bracket where the metal and flexible pipes join needs to be relocated to take into account the different positions of the cylinder and caliper.

[Salop Farmer]

Love the 544 looks - hate the wheels, especially the early ones !!

[old fart]

Originally Posted by Salop Farmer

Love the 544 looks - hate the wheels, especially the early ones !!

Same here, which is why I've fitted 5.5 steels.

[Salop Farmer]

Originally Posted by old fart

Same here, which is why I've fitted 5.5 steels.

Nice looking PV, love the colour. Re sprayed mine but stuck with the original dark blue as didn’t fancy painting interior especially as I have left the head lining in place throughout the rebuild.

[Army]

Originally Posted by Salop Farmer

Nice looking PV, love the colour. Re sprayed mine but stuck with the original dark blue as didn’t fancy painting interior especially as I have left the head lining in place throughout the rebuild.

Probably not what you want to hear but after removing my headliner I found a fair amount of surface rust. Condensation.

#####

I can't help with the alloy wheels but as you say someone must know as they are present in many an image search.

"People" seem to be selling the same spec'd wheels for Amazons and Pvs.

As a matter of interest have you fitted the original wheels after the rebuild to see if they fit? (And of course, if so, did you get the same trouble?)

[Salop Farmer]

Hi Army, I have decided to live in ignorance regarding any gremlins that might lurk under my head lining. Replacing my reasonably good head lining is just one job I don’t need!
Regarding the brake pipe saga, even with the original steel wheels,on full lock,the flexible pipes rub the tires. A photo of your brake pipe set up would be good if at all possible as from memory your PV has the front disc brake conversion.

[Army]

Originally Posted by Salop Farmer

Hi Army, I have decided to live in ignorance regarding any gremlins that might lurk under my head lining. Replacing my reasonably good head lining is just one job I don’t need!
Regarding the brake pipe saga, even with the original steel wheels,on full lock,the flexible pipes rub the tires. A photo of your brake pipe set up would be good if at all possible as from memory your PV has the front disc brake conversion.

As you may (or perhaps may not) expect my car is in pieces

I did make loads of pictures before I took it to pieces - I'll see if I can dig out a suitable one for you...

...I must add, however, I've yet to find a single useful picture in the terabytes of images I've made!

Fingers crossed eh?

[Salop Farmer]

I think I have solved my problem of Alloy wheels rubbing against upper area of kingpin forging unless spacer fitted. Scandcar offer for sale a Minilight style 5.5”wheel for the 544 with a 14 mm ET ( inner offset ).The wheels I purchased have a 20 mm ET which although fine on an Amazon is not ok on PV without at least a 4 mm spacer to clear suspension. You live and learn! Incidentally Scandcar want 198 euros + carriage and taxes per wheel against £80 +vat per wheel from R&R Alloys and free delivery. So I guess I’ll live with the spacer requirement.