The Problem
On the rear body of the S197, there is a bracket spot welded to the inner fender well that provides support for the bumpstop under hard compression. If you fit 18x11s onto the rear of the car and are experiencing clearance issues, this is the first spot to check.
The Solutions
1. Leave it as-is. If the rubbing only occurs with the car up in the air, you likely won't experience this situation while driving (unless you become airborne) and there will be no negative effects.
2. Remove or relocate the bracket by drilling out the spot welds, sanding them down and painting over the affected area. A spot weld drill bit can be dangerous so this should be done by someone with experience. If you rely on full functionality from your bump stops on the axle, they will need to be relocated inwards. Relocation kits can be found online.
3. Use rear spacers. However, this could cause the tires to sit past the outer fender lip and rub with certain lowered suspensions. This should be the last route considered.
Cory Smetzler
Cory has been Domestic Fitment Expert at APEX since 2018, helping owners figure out the proper wheel fitments for their Camaro, Corvette, Mustang, Challenger, Charger, Cadillac, and Tesla vehicles. Prior to joining APEX, he worked as Service Advisor at an automotive performance shop. Never one to sit at a car show, Cory has had a lifelong passion for performance driving. His extensive track experience began with HPDEs in 2015. He soon got the itch to start competing in time trials, which he has been doing ever since. Among the cars he has tracked are three Mustang GTs (2005, 2006, 2011), a 2016 Fiesta ST, and his current ride, a 2010 Corvette Grand Sport with APEX SM-10RS wheels. Fun Fact: Apparently Cory’s love of speed isn’t limited to the racetrack; after not training at all, he recently ran a 5K and placed 7th out of 210 competitors.
Have questions about wheels for your domestic vehicle? Use our contact form and ask for Cory
