TheSamba.com :: View topic - "What wheels fit?" The ultimate wheel post.

Thu Apr 21, 2011 2:23 pm

speedtek wrote: So, just an update to my BBS wheels........

I did a tire upgrade this spring before I put it on the road; went up to a set of 225/60R17 Pirelli P4's (from kumho SPT's, 245/40R17). Wanted to go with a taller tire to cut the rpm's down on the highway. Unfortunately with the taller tires, my 15mm spacer in the front was no longer very viable as I ended up with rubbing on the fender when going over bumps and 2 people in the front....the damn things just stuck out too far with the et35 wheel and the spacer. So, I bit the bullet and pulled everything apart and started modifying things. First issue was boring out the centers to clear the hubs enough, managed to get things pretty smooth, even with doing it by hand with a drill and grinding bit. Next, I found that the A arm was just hitting the wheel lip as the suspension articulated (this is where a second person comes in handy to jump up and down on the door frame while you look underneath). I clearanced the A arm a bit, but I didn't feel comfortable grinding it down a whole bunch so I ordered a set of 3mm spacers for the front. Had to grind out the centers on the spacers as well (Audi hub centric, of course), but I got them fitting perfect after about 1/2 hour of work. I installed a couple of washers in-between the caliper and brake line mount to bring the brake line away from the inside of the wheel a little more. I popped the bearing caps off to slide the spacers on (no point in grinding the hole extra large to clear the cap lip), naturally I neglected to notice that the driver's side had an attachment........I noticed that there was sealant on the top of the cap, but it didn't click that it was there for a reason. I was pulling the cap off and I couldn't figure out why the thing wouldn't come all the way off so I yanked on it....lol. It came off and it took me a few more minutes to get the speedo cable inserted back into the box up top as I had backed the bushing off the cable. I managed to get it all apart and then back together without breaking anything, but now I know there's a cable attached to that cap :oops: :lol: .
Anyways, now that the A arms have been clearanced slightly, 3mm spacer is installed and wheel centers have been ground out.....everything fits perfectly, and no more rubbing. I'll pop a few photos tomorrow once it's light and show the new stance and clearance. With the bigger tires it's kind of like a poor man's lowering kit (while raising the van :? )....at least the fender wells are filled now. 8)

Rears are still running the 20mm bolt on spacers and the fit, stance and offset is perfect....and I can even still run my BBS center caps on the back.
So much for tire rotation though................

The pics....and update....
ended up going to a 5mm spacer in front (rear is still 20) and in a straight line I get no rub, but I have managed to catch the fenders twice now when hitting a bump too fast while turning.....something to always be aware of for now. Looks like I'll end up getting some gowesty lift springs this summer....can't be worrying about that all the time.

They look good, not quite the stance I had with the lo-pro Kumho's but still 8)

Fri Apr 22, 2011 1:33 pm

Have you thought about rolling the fender lip as an option? That might clear up your periodic rubbing issue.

Fri Apr 22, 2011 2:22 pm

Trouble is, they are fine in a straight line....I got the spacing just right so they clear in that regards. It's only when I have the steering at more than 1/2 lock and I nail a good bump or heave as I am coming to a stop. That's when the fenders are most vulnerable because the tire is already cross sectioning them.
I did a little experiment yesterday. As per VW recommendations on the tire door placard.....with the upsize 205 tires it says to run 40 psi in the rears and 30 in the fronts. I had been running 41 all round, so I let the fronts down to 33 and left the rears as is. It does seem to ride a little smoother over bumps now and the front has a little more cushion before it starts articulating the suspension........who says you can't run recommended pressures with passenger tires? Lol

We'll see if it works, although I have gotten good at avoiding situations where it might rub anyways, but if it assists....all the better.

Mon May 09, 2011 9:38 am

my pops vanagon with 17in AMGs, spacers in front. and my bay 8)

Mon May 09, 2011 2:56 pm

Can anyone tell me if the Yokohama Y356 C 185R-14 is okay for my 1986 2wd vanagon? I'm pretty sure based on what I read that it meets the requirements, but it doesn't have the LT in the title, so I wasn't sure if I ordered the wrong thing. I know everyone says don't get a passenger tire, get the light truck tire... so is this a passenger or Light truck tire?

This is the first time i've had to buy tires for my van, so i'm a bit confused and a bit apprehensive, so I really would appreciate any feed back

Here's a link to the tire:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Y...um=8R43566

Thanks!

Mon May 09, 2011 3:10 pm

It's a load range C, should be no problem

Mon May 09, 2011 5:24 pm

dcaver01 wrote: Can anyone tell me if the Yokohama Y356 C 185R-14 is okay for my 1986 2wd vanagon? I'm pretty sure based on what I read that it meets the requirements, but it doesn't have the LT in the title, so I wasn't sure if I ordered the wrong thing. I know everyone says don't get a passenger tire, get the light truck tire... so is this a passenger or Light truck tire?

This is the first time i've had to buy tires for my van, so i'm a bit confused and a bit apprehensive, so I really would appreciate any feed back

Here's a link to the tire:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Y...um=8R43566

Thanks!

For another $10 you can get the same tire in D load, with a max pressure of 1850 # instead of only 1600 lbs.
Right there on your link.

Thu May 12, 2011 6:44 pm

final word on my own tire adventure....the 225/60 experiment is officially over....they just took all the fun out of driving the westy. I had to be so careful all the time while going around corners and with 2 people in the front it was very difficult to keep from rubbing over bad bumps....can't even imagine how bad it would be with a full load of camp gear. So....bit the bullet and ordered a set of 225/50 Kumho Ecsta LX platinums. 98 XL rated and give the van just the tire stance I was missing. No more rubbing, and much better look than the balloony 60's 8)

before: not so good

Now: much better 8)

Thu May 12, 2011 6:48 pm

kooldub wrote: my pops vanagon with 17in AMGs, spacers in front. and my bay 8)

Now those AMG wheels are my cup of tea!!!

Thu May 12, 2011 7:52 pm

greeting loogy :)

91' twin cab 2wd
yet to install but will be running 40-50mm drop springs
just picked up a set of Porsche Cup 2 rims

17x7.5 ET 52
17x9 ET 47

ideally what would be my spacer thickness front / rear for them

thanks in advance
nick

Fri May 13, 2011 6:16 am

avwboy wrote: greeting loogy :)

91' twin cab 2wd
yet to install but will be running 40-50mm drop springs
just picked up a set of Porsche Cup 2 rims

17x7.5 ET 52
17x9 ET 47

ideally what would be my spacer thickness front / rear for them

thanks in advance
nick

Nick,

I would run a 19mm adapter on the front and a 22mm adapter on the rear. I ship worldwide (I have even shipped wheel hardware to a Pakistani customer), so send me an email (below) if you would like more information.

Fri May 13, 2011 5:55 pm

Hi, there seems to be an abundance of Porsche Boxster wheels out there at reseanable prices, does any one know if the 17"X9" rears fit on the rear of Vanagon with out issues,
I am running weitec lowering springs.

cheers

Dariush[/b]

Fri May 13, 2011 6:12 pm

dariushz1 wrote: Hi, there seems to be an abundance of Porsche Boxster wheels out there at reseanable prices, does any one know if the 17"X9" rears fit on the rear of Vanagon with out issues,
I am running weitec lowering springs.

cheers

Dariush[/b]
Not without adaptors, Porsche wheels are 5x130

Fri May 13, 2011 9:51 pm

yes I know the bolt circle on the Porsche is different, I am just wondering if a 9" wide wheel can be fitted to the back of the vanagon without all the clerence problems with the door and the suspention parts.
I have seen people post pictures of 8" wide wheels with no problems, but have not run into a 9" application yet.

Fri May 13, 2011 11:19 pm

9" will fit, even 10" with the right offset/spacer but I don't know about the door issue. that can be fixed with and extension on the door hardware though.

Sat May 14, 2011 6:52 am

A 9" wheel can fit on the rear without sliding door clearance issues, but most of the Boxster wheels have spokes that protrude quite a ways from the rim lip. This protrusion can cause clearance issues. If you want to let me know exactly which Boxster wheels you are interested in, I might be able to be a little more specific.

Mon May 16, 2011 2:58 pm

I picked up a set of adapters from loogy last fall, but didn't have a chance to install them before the van went into storage. Here's a teaser pic. These are 16" Porsche 928 7-slot wheels. I'll post more pics when I get the other 3 wheels installed.

Mon May 16, 2011 10:39 pm

Up for grabs in Albq...

http://albuquerque.craigslist.org/pts/2305593668.html

Wed May 18, 2011 5:39 pm

How bout these? 2007 A4 17" Any idea as to what would be needed to fit 'em?

Thu May 19, 2011 8:37 am

bigsteveob wrote: How bout these? 2007 A4 17" Any idea as to what would be needed to fit 'em?

Those are 17x7.5 ET45 and I would suggest the following for a 2wd:

Machine the centerbores to 66.56mm

12mm front spacers, 18-20mm rear spacers (gives the most aesthetically pleasing look)

Small ball seat front lug bolts or conversion studs and small ball seat lug nuts

Longer rear studs and small ball seat lug nuts

You won't be able to run the center caps due to the concave shape of the face of the wheel.