A guide assembly (60) for guiding movement of an elevator car (30) is provided including a first (66) and second (68) guide support coupled to the elevator car (30). The first guide support (66) and the second guide support (68) are separated from one another by a gap (G) wider than an adjacent primary portion (42) of a propulsion system (40) of the elevator car (30). A pair of first guides (70) is mounted to the first (66) and second (68) guide support, respectively. The first guides (70) are substantially parallel and are configured to guide movement of the elevator car (30) in a first direction to maintain a clearance between the primary (42) and secondary (44) portions of the propulsion system (40) of the elevator car (30). A second guide (72) is mounted to one of the first (66) and second (68) guide support. The second guide (72) is oriented substantially perpendicular to the first guides (70). The second guide (72) is configured to guide movement of the elevator car (30) in a second direction.