Tyre depths

[Dragonheart]

Got 2 new front tyres during the weekend, same size as always, 215 45 R17, but this time, I'm getting serious rubbing on the arches, even driving and hitting a small crest in the road, she really bites down on the fronts now and sounds like the wheels are way too big. Never had a problem with it before, and only noticed that when I came home, the other tyres I used have had written on them, 215 45Z R17, I'm wondering does the 'Z' mean anything, could there be some very minor difference that is causing the extra rubbing? I would be thinking not but its definately worse than what it used be.

[TopCat]

The "Z" is the speed rating of the tyre, and is a recommendation of the max speed the tire should be used at (for sustained period I think). So shouldn't have anything to do with the rubbing, but I'm open to correction.

[d_dan]

iv only ever found wider wheels making a difference when it comes to rubbing.

While were on the subject? 215's?
do most of ye use these?
i use 225's and 235's on the car

[Dragonheart]

I would have thought wider ones would but mine is so low that even a small difference in the depth would cause rubbing, but I think you're right Tom that its the speed rating, forgot about that, so the tyre shouldnt be any difference.
I think Dan that 215 and 225 are the most popular, open to correction on that one, I know that if I went with more than 215 I'd def have problems. Bernard has 235 I think though.

[colm_mcm]

I did a quick reccie on the Portlaoise meet. the common size tends to be 215/45/17, with a few 215/40 and 225/45. a few 17's like Sebs have 205 width.

215/40 is slightly smaller diameter than the standard 16" tyre, and 215/45 shouldn't pose a problem. check that your arch liners aren't hanging down.

[d_dan]

225/40's would suit ye better so. the 5mm is a big difference

[CJ]

Dan, what make of tyre did you have previously versus the new ones? Some brands can sit prouder that others which may cause scrubbage. As per Colm, check your wheel arch liners and secure up if necessary.

CJ

[TopCat]

225/40's would suit ye better so. the 5mm is a big difference

You probably know this, but it's actually a bit more than 5mm. I'm being pedantic here, but the "40" is "the aspect ratio of the sidewall height to the total width of the tire, as a percentage", and not the height of the side wall itself. Ie, the sidewall of a 225/40 is 225x0.4 = 90mm. A 215/45 is 215x0.45 = 96.75mm. So there's nearly 7mm distance.

[d_dan]

Actually i didnt but still such a tiny difference but then agaiin every little helps i suppose

[Dragonheart]

Actually i didnt but still such a tiny difference but then agaiin every little helps i suppose

I was in the same boat a couple of weeks ago, seems like its a not so well known fact.

I checked the liners and they seem all right, always had rubbing on full lock, dont know what it is, maybe they're pumped up more than normal, I dont know.
Thanks for the replies anyway, least I know the tyres arent the wrong ones.

[d_dan]

Simple answer for this anyway if its full lock rubbing
Wheel spacers.
Both my FTO's came with them

[CJ]

Simple answer for this anyway if its full lock rubbing
Wheel spacers.

Or just stick with the factory rolling radius that Mitsubishi intended the FTO to run.

CJ

[d_dan]

thats what lowering springs and coilovers were made for (well not really but hey)

[colm_mcm]

215/40R17 look lost under the arches though. they're the nearest thing to the standard 16" FTO rolling radius. I'd much prefer 215/45 and risk scrubbage now and again.

[Dragonheart]

I would go with spacers as some say but anyone who knows my wheels and whatever springs are gone under her, knows that spacers wont help either, the wheels actually sit inside the arch, this is the best pic I can see to describe it, taken at Bernard's meet last year,

Colm and Bernard's cars are pretty low here, but look at how low mine is in comparison. I've thought of spacers, especially in the rears, cause it would fill the arch more, but it wouldnt work, not with how low she is.
I dont mind a small bit of rubbing, as in when going over speed bumps or turning on full lock, but would be worried of excessive rubbing, not sure if it would wear the tyre of do some damage somewhere, that was really my concern.

[colm_mcm]

my car is sitting pretty high now. just changed the DC's for Apex springs and it's not quite settled back down yet

Front should be even lower now, happy days. the arches will be firther filled out when I get my bigger tyres on.

[kevinod]

Did you stick with the same brand of tyres MJ? or something different? They're hardly over inflated are they?

Mine's 235/40/17, same as Bernard's.

[crayzidane]

lowered the car with apex springs a few weeks ago and looked at the plastic inner front arches on both sides and two big holes where the wheels were rubbing off them,
should i get spacers and what size iv got 215/45/17

[Dragonheart]

Did you stick with the same brand of tyres MJ? They're hardly over inflated are they?

Mine's 235/40/17, same as Bernard's.

Same brand Kev, Bridgestone Potenzas, I was thinking maybe overinflated too, I'll give it a quick check later on.

[kevinod]

lowered the car with apex springs a few weeks ago and looked at the plastic inner front arches on both sides and two big holes where the wheels were rubbing off them,
should i get spacers and what size iv got 215/45/17

It would depend as much on your offset as your tyre size. What offset are you running with at the moment?

[Bernard]

Mine's 235/40/17, same as Bernard's.

I think we have the same tyres too (Eagle F1s)?
Do you get much rubbing on full lock Kev?
I'm just wondering if ride height is the culprit as mine's fairly low and I get some scrubbing.
I've been thinking about heating the liners and pushing them back a bit...

[crayzidane]

the offset is 42
these: http://www.elementwheels.com/products.asp?cat=312