'05 Coupe - 6MT Bolt Pattern on the Fronts

[Mikiti13]

I've got an '05 6MT (which came with the 19" 5-spoke rims) and I ordered a set of 17" Sport Edition rims with Blizzaks that originally came from TireRack for an '04 Coupe and I can't get the front rims on the car. There's an extra, for lack of a better word, bolt in the bolt pattern. It's got what looks like a hex nut on it and is preventing the Sport Edition rims from fitting because there isn't enough clearance between the holes for the lugs on the back side of the hub.

Does anyone know what that "bolt" is? I've got some tuner friends who are telling me that it's a brake temp sensor and I can remove it with a 10mm socket. Personally, I'm a little worried about that option. Not that I'm planning on running the brakes to the point where it would trigger the sensor, but I don't want to start removing things without knowing exactly what it is.

I've actually considered ordering a set of '04 OEM 17" rims (17x7.5 fronts, 17x8 rears) instead and just cutting my losses on the crappy Sport Edition rims. Does anyone know if those will fit over this mystery "bolt?"

[G35MoneyPit]

I believe the reason for the extra "bolt" is so that you don't put your rear 19" rims on the front or vice-versa. The offsets and sizes are different so they can't be rotated back to front.

[Mikiti13]

Do you have any documentation that this is the case? I'd hate to remove something that had actual mechanical/electrical function under the assumption that it was just inert.

[G35MoneyPit]

Yes, I saw it in the owners manual. I would check there to confirm. Hope this helps.

[mav555]

yeah... the bolt is there just to keep you from swapping the staggared rims incorrectly. You can't rotate the tires. Other G owners have taken this out. Its commonly done, since if you get aftermarket rims, non of them come with a hole to accomodate this peg. Won't do you any harm.

[roneski]

Yeah, you have to pull it out for aftermarket wheels. It won't hurt anything.