Wheel problems :(

[PicklesSE8]

Hi all, after some advice please! I fitted a set of 15" Vectra alloys today, with 195/50 tyres, was surprised to see that the rears rub on the inner arch and shock:

http://img819.imageshack.us/img819/4701/archk.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/819/archk.jpg/)

Is this normal? What is the best size wheel/tyre combo to have, I've got my eye on a set of 14" RFX's but don't want to be spending out on them if I'm going to have problems :(

[pie]

ive runn novas on 195 50 15s with no problems and sure others have to

also run 16s on 195 40 16 and 6j wide

what alloys are they?

[chrisd1986]

that will be down to the offset of the rim, spacers would cure this

[millworm]

or thinner tyre might work

[PicklesSE8]

Thanks for your comments, they're standard Vectra B wheels so presumably ET49:

http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/48/nova20.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/248/nova20.jpg/)

I used to have an SR with 16" Alessios and don't remember having any problems, wasn't expecting to need spacers. I'm thinking if I do have these 14s then I'll probably run 185s or maybe even 175s. I'll probably be lowering it 60mm at the front and 40 at the back (it's all standard at the moment)

[Mazz]

They might be as low as ET43 iirc which might be the problem, although it should say on them

[PicklesSE8]

I'll have another look on them tomorrow, I've only borrowed them anyway :) If they were 43 wouldn't they stick out too far?

[Novasport]

They might be as low as ET43 iirc which might be the problem, although it should say on them

ET43 would be like fitting 6mm spacers on an ET49 wheel, they will stick out further.

Try 185/55R15 on 15" or 185/60R14 on 14" rims. A tyre width of 195 or 185 can vary between brands quite a bit.

[PicklesSE8]

Great, will look into those, thanks :)

[maddogdaz666]

Has the car been damaged at all?
But fitting some spacers would solve your problem.
nothing mad just 3mm would be ok

[PicklesSE8]

You mean damage to the inner arches? Nothing as far as I know, in fact just had both rear spring mounts replaced for MOT and I wasn't told of any damage in that area so should all be fine. If I did get spacers would I need them on the front as well as the rear, even though the front wheels didn't rub?

[maddogdaz666]

No just rear, just do they don't rub on the inside

[Novasport]

The pic you took, i that with the car on a ramp? What is the clearance like when the car is on its wheels?

[PicklesSE8]

Yea that was taken with the car up on a ramp, angle is straight up the inside of the wheel. When I lowered it down onto the floor I felt round the back of the wheel and could feel it still touching the inner arch and the shock, so I just took them straight off again

[Benn]

Is it like that both sides?

[MK999]

Yea that was taken with the car up on a ramp, angle is straight up the inside of the wheel. When I lowered it down onto the floor I felt round the back of the wheel and could feel it still touching the inner arch and the shock, so I just took them straight off again

bear in mind your fingers aren't feeler gauges, so you may well have plenty of clearance. They always rub/look close at full droop.

[PicklesSE8]

Tried some more wheels today (big thanks to MartinP for lending them to me), these are 14" ET49 with 175/50 tyres and they're a lot better:

http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/7190/nova21.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/94/nova21.jpg/)

http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/4885/nova22i.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/28/nova22i.jpg/)