I am doing some rear brake work on my daughter's 91 RS convertible. It has the factory rims that go with 245/50/16 tires - meaning the rims are specific to the front and the rear.

When I pulled the rear tires off, I found spacers behind them. They're about 1/8 thick and say "Outboard Only" on them.

Does anyone recall whether these belong on front - or back - or if they're only used with optional rims? I've tried re-mounting the wheels without the spacers and they seem to fit fine, but I haven't dropped the car back down to load the rear axle.

I'm wondering if they belong on the front and a tire shop moved them to the rear by mistake.

And while I'm waiting for comments, yes, I'll actually RTFM in the glove box.

Thanks in advance.

 

my have spacers on the rear also

I thought the 91+ rims could go either front or rear

 

all Fbodys with 16inch rims have the spacers

they are needed for iron drums as the alloy drums where wider

my 91 that came with 16s has them on the rear

but ive ran the 16s with out the spacers no differance

but i would keep them on if you have them

 

I've also run all types of OEM wheels (both style 16" IROC's, 91-92 style, and even 15" IROC's) on the rear with both drums and discs without the spacer and had no problems. I'm sure they were put there from the factory for a reason. I just have not been able to find out what that reason is. Maybe has something to do with evening the front/rear track moreso than clearance issues.

 

none of my irocs had them

 

The spacers are not needed, and most were lost or disposed of by most previous owners with no problems. GM also installed them in a hit and miss way on later year models.

 

Thanks for the helpful responses. I did re-install them but I noted that as a result, each lug nut threads onto the stud only about halfway before tightening. This evidently has not caused any past problems, as all the studs appear to be in good shape. But darn! If those studs were any shorter at all, I would be very uncomfortable with the installation.

Next time I have them off I may try running it without the spacers and storing them in the trunk.