Disclaimer ***What you are about to read is in no way something I recommend or condone, but I've always been willing to take chances, so I went with it***
It's been a long and stressful week, but it's over, and I'm HAPPY!

If you remember, I bent the **** out of my forgestar, and finding wheels that fit this vehicle is a pain! I needed something pretty quick, and did not want to wait on another forgestar, so I call around and searched the internet. I had 2 choices from Rohana, 3 from XO, and about 4 from lexani....I went with the Rohana RC10s. I dropped them at the local shop on Tuesday, along with my new Michelin Pilot SS's and thought all was well.....

I call the shop at 4:30, and they said it will be done by 5. I get a call back at 5pm with a "bad news" the wheel doesn't clear the caliper. I head on over there, while on the phone with the shop that I purchased the wheels from. They ask, why didn't they test fit, it says right on the wheel with a big sticker MAKE SURE YOU TEST FIT. Rohana said it would fit, so they went with it. They asked me to have someone look at my calipers, bc it's just the bracket and it barely touches.."they modify/do custom work all the time at their shop". I put my old wheels back on, and head over to my buddy's shop with one Rohana.

Yeah, it touches at the top and bottom of the bracket, that's not going to work


and a piece of paper barely fits in the middle


See the area painted in white..that's gotta go down some


Day 2, lets start


..and while we're at it, this is all pretty nasty looking, so let's clean it up


test fit time


lets go for a ride and check everything out


All good to go!!! I did do a ton of research b4 I gave the go-ahead, and I didnt know "grinding down calipers" or "shaving" them was so popular. Seems like it's huge on the track seen, so people can fit smaller wheels and slicks....all in all, we're talking about 2 maybe 3 mm's off. I know there will be some that are very bother for this..."structural integrity" , "wouldn't mess with my brakes"....I hear you, and I understand. I made a decision, and Im perfectly good with it. I trust my guy, and I've known him for 15 years. He wouldn't have done it if he thought there would be any safety issue.

 

 

Donk, where you shaved down, that is only structural metal at that point and the amount that you shaved off is not going to affect the overall integrity of the caliper. If it does, then you are on the brakes WAY TOO HARD!!!!!! and did a lot of other pressure boosting changes. The only "draw back" that I can see is potentially you are making it so the calipers will get slightly hotter during hard braking. But again, if you are getting into that situation, you need to take it a little easier on the brakes.

You got what you wanted and sometimes you have to take a gamble to make it all work. I know if I am going to get my XF, one of the first mods I am doing is long tube headers for a Mustang will be fitted to the car. Net more power while also improving the MPG.

 

It's often struck me that calipers are massively 'over engineered'. 3mm is a small proportion of the full thickness at that point of the caliper body casting so it's not going to compromise structural integrity.

The resulting wheel/brake combination looks excellent. I hope the Rohana proves more robust than the Forgestar. If it does then some other members could be following your lead.

Graham

 

Wheels look good on your car!

 

Definitely one of the best looking XF's with aftermarket wheels.

 

nice work Donk.

 

Looks amazing. Great work

 

I'm a fan, nice work

 

All I know is that is one bad lookin XF. Loving the first and the third shot.

 

If anyone is in search of new tires, these Michelin Pilot super sports are awesome. I drove around quite a bit today, and I'm extremely happy.


Thanks guys!!

 

..and 1 shot with the Spyder, which i'm about to sell today.

 

Wow, nice job the car looks awesome. Love the black out look

 

Usually not a fan of ALL black wheels, usually prefer some different color lip (chrome, machined) but like the masses have stated this is a good look!

 

That is a mean look for your ride!!!!! Love it!

 

These wheels really look awesome on your ride.. I won't have had the heart to do the brakes but these really are worth it. I'm going to be changing up on my wheels and tires in a few days. I went with the Michelin's as well. I'm going to be selling the stock Nevis wheels, tires, TPMS, with only 5000 miles on them. Hopefully I'll get a good offer.