IMPORTANT INFO: Spikes-Spiders on 20" Rims

[we350z]

NOTE: This post is an effort to save the next guy some pain, aggravation and $$.

Not really sure many folks saw the original post as its in the classifed section. So I am providing an update here.

I was really excited to acquire a brand new set of Spikes-Spiders SPXXL on eBay in October of last year for $288.50. This was a great deal considering they go for $495.00 new I did have to purchase a set of fix clips for 19" lug nuts for an additional $89.50 which all BMW X5 rims use. These allow you to mount the circular hub to the rim, which in turn the Spikes-Spider apparatus itself mounts to (quite easily in fact - 30 seconds per side).

I avoided using them last year - which was a big mistake. Twice I drove through chain control without them in fear they would scratch up my rims and because I thought I didn't really need them because conditions weren't that bad. Well getting sideways next to a semi quickly changed my mind regarding this.

I used my Spikes-Spiders for the first time the weekend of Thanksgiving after a nice snowfall in Tahoe and they scratched the ever living crap out of my rear rim face lips. The gray plastic edges/corners of the SS (where the rubber straps mount) just touch the rim lip (reference pic link) and I think dirt gets under there making it worse - and basically sanded the paint off. I had to drive 17 miles down 267W and 24 miles down 80W under chain control. So a good amount of use.





I have the same setup (or so I thought) as X5-For-Fighting (which incidentally is how I first found out about this wonderful contraption that would allow me to only have one set of rims). He has had no issues with scraping/scratching. I have talked to him a number of times since trying to figure out what is going on here.

- He has OEM Style 87 Rims wrapped in 315/35R20 Michelin Diamari Tires
- I have Chinese AFS Style 87 Silver wrapped in 315/35R20 Toyo Proxes ST II tires (older version)

Possibilities:

- OEM Style 87's have a different dish depth / offset than the AFS.
- He has longer fix clips to keep the plastic edges of the spiders off your rim face. (Confirmed he has the same setup - one long 45mm steel extension, one short 28mm steel extension & white nylon 9mm spacer secured with long 27mm M8x1.25 standard thread bolts).
- The Michelin Diamaris have lip protectors that are keeping the plastic edges of the spiders off your rim face. The Toyo STII's do not have lip protectors so the rubber sits closer to the rim lip face.
- His chains are adjusted tighter or looser and don't "float" like mine are. (Doubtful as we both can barely fit our hands under the slack as prescribed by the instructions).

Almost 100% certain this wouldn't of happened with any tires that have lip protection as it would keep the plastic edge pieces off the rim.

First I was thinking maybe I could try to rig up some rubber strap things on it to help space it out (like the lip would do) until I can burn out these shitty Toyo's.

Then I was going to just buy another set of long 45mm steel extensions from Spikes-Spiders but for $30 with shipping and no gurantee they would be here on time given this is the busiest week of the season for shipping I decided to explore other opsions.

So I took a little stroll over to ACE - the helpful place. Hoping the $9 in parts consisting of 60 metal washers and slightly longer bolts will help me push the hub out enought to compensate for my tires lack of lip that gives the extra spacing and protection.

I hate my tires and I can't wait until they die. The fronts have permanent flat spots even after going to hell and back with Toyo. Avoid Toyo like the plague. They discontinued this line years ago because they suck so bad. Search this forum and see that there is nothing but complaints regarding them. Mostly regarding excessive noise. Unfortunately I don't really drive my truck that much here in SF. I only have about 10Kmi on them maybe so they have at least another 10K to go. I feel like I am being continually punished for being cheap and going with these pieces of shit. All because they were $700 and the Diamaris were almost twice as much. Well kids the lesson learned here is that you can pay now or you can pay later with interest in the form of hassles.

As my rear rims are totally fubarred I have decided to get them all re-powdercoaded to a dark-grey or black as discussed here.

On a side note - Thule now has a similar (perhaps better but just as much $$ or more) product:

Thule K-Summit K66 XL - Thule - Thule RV Accessories - Tire Chains