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persan100 Samba Member
Joined: August 24, 2014 Posts: 17 Location: Whittier, CA
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Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2015 11:51 am Post subject: Tire Size |
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Hey All, just a quick question. My Ghia has 145/70/15 tires. I want to upgrade to a wider rear tire since I have some issues with stability. Car tends to weave. Have lowered the rear back 4" to it's original stance which has helped incredibly with the cars stability. My mechanic suggested replacing the rear tires with 165/70/15's. But I have searched high and low and can't find any tires in that size. Anyone out there know if that size is even made? I have seen a 165/65/15 tire on another Ghia but have no idea where I might find them.
Any suggestions would be a great help...Thanks |
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sactojesse Samba Member
Joined: November 21, 2006 Posts: 2655 Location: Sacramento, California, USA
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Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2015 12:24 pm Post subject: |
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No one makes a 165/70R15 as far as I know. 165/80R15 or 165R15 were commonly used on VWs as radial replacements for the original 5.6 x 15 bias ply tires. If you want more tire in back, try 175/65R15 or 185/65R15. _________________ 1966 Karmann-Ghia convertible |
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WooleyNelson Samba Member
Joined: July 13, 2012 Posts: 191 Location: Kokomo Indiana
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Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2015 1:43 pm Post subject: |
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If you are having a "weave" or stability problem, you might want to check your tire pressures.
Over inflating the front tires is a common mistake.
19psi front - 26psi rear |
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-Zodiac- Samba Member
Joined: September 22, 2014 Posts: 782 Location: Pensacola/milton, florida
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Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2015 5:24 pm Post subject: |
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I have nexen 165/80r15'a on mine and they are fine - you can call the almighty Walmart and order some for like 50 bucks. Don't know the specs and how good/bad they are - they get me where I need to go _________________ 1973 karmann ghia - current, not the last VW.
1947 Chevy stylemaster - gone, but not forgotten.
1995 Ford F-150 - gone, hatred for it lives. |
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kingkarmann Samba Member
Joined: November 05, 2003 Posts: 4111
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Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2015 8:20 am Post subject: |
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Is your Ghia lowered?
If so you may benefit from installing caster shims. _________________ "Depression is a malfunction of the instrument we use to determine reality.”
Mike Gerson
What is your "Bespoke Reality"? |
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CiderGuy Samba Member
Joined: December 23, 2013 Posts: 1351 Location: Bucks County, Pa
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Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2015 9:12 am Post subject: |
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-Zodiac- wrote: |
I have nexen 165/80r15'a on mine and they are fine - you can call the almighty Walmart and order some for like 50 bucks. Don't know the specs and how good/bad they are - they get me where I need to go |
You have a very nice tall tire. Post a picture ..... _________________ ----------------------
Cars Currently Owned:
1970 Karmann Ghia Coupe
1973 Karmann Ghia Coupe - Project car for sale
1970 Karmann Ghia Convertible (Body off restoration)
Timing is everything |
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Zack1978 Samba Member
Joined: June 07, 2006 Posts: 544 Location: NJ
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Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2015 3:08 am Post subject: |
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I run 165r15 tires on my 72 coupe, and they seem to fit fine......however I just read that the REAL correct size for my should be 155r15? So what is the answer? 165r15 or 155r15? _________________ 1972 Coupe |
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Northof49 Samba Member
Joined: July 22, 2013 Posts: 1759 Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2015 7:05 am Post subject: |
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I would suspect other problems if there is weaving, before blaming the tires. Alignment (caster, camber, toe both front and rear) would be one of the first things I would check to make sure all aspects are within factory parameters. The suggestion about tire pressure is valid as well.
I'd just hate to see you change tires and leave some other problem uncorrected. _________________ 1958 Karmann Ghia owner |
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John Moxon Samba Moderator
Joined: March 07, 2004 Posts: 13952 Location: Southampton U.K.
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persan100 Samba Member
Joined: August 24, 2014 Posts: 17 Location: Whittier, CA
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Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2015 10:12 am Post subject: OG poster |
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Well Guys, I eventually did go with 165/80/15 tires on the rear. Have a long rear axle and this is about as large a tire I can get away with. Yes lowered rear back to OG standards and toe in on the rear wheels. Stability has improved but always room for even more improvement. While the car is far more stable still weaves once I get to around 63MPH. Any suggestions would be appreciated. |
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c21darrel Samba Member
Joined: January 22, 2009 Posts: 8211 Location: San Dimas
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Northof49 Samba Member
Joined: July 22, 2013 Posts: 1759 Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2015 11:14 am Post subject: |
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I'm guessing it's a 67 unless it's a Canadian or sold in other country car. That was (one of?) the year they had long axles in the States right? I had long axles because I used a 1973 or 1974 Canadian bug suspension, but I swapped it out for some 61-66 short axles. A bit of an endevour, but worth it, as I can now run 195's all round. I had 205's on custom steel rear rims, but I didn't like the look of the steel rims.
Anyhow, it runs great at 80 plus mph. Even with a little too much toe in at the rear. _________________ 1958 Karmann Ghia owner |
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sactojesse Samba Member
Joined: November 21, 2006 Posts: 2655 Location: Sacramento, California, USA
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Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2015 11:17 am Post subject: |
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Zack1978 wrote: |
I run 165r15 tires on my 72 coupe, and they seem to fit fine......however I just read that the REAL correct size for my should be 155r15? So what is the answer? 165r15 or 155r15? |
Neither. Your car originally came with bias ply tires size 5.60 x 15. However, cars have long since switched to radial tires because of their safety, handling, and ride advantages over bias ply tires. There isn't a exact duplicate replacement size in radial tires for 5.60 x 15, so various bias ply to radial conversion charts may list 155R15, 155/80R15, 165/80R15, or 165R15 referenced as the equivalent radial size for your car. _________________ 1966 Karmann-Ghia convertible |
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