Tire Help!

[Obi-Sean Kenobi]

Hi all,

So I bought a pair of western wheel turbines here on the forum.

They are 14” so I had to get all new tires.

My research here led me to believe that 195/60r14 tires would work.

Just had the tires and rims mounted and they’re rubbing on the back wheel wells. You can’t fit your finger between the fender and the tire!

What can I do? Shorter, thinner tires? New shocks/struts?

What did I do wrong?

Really bummed because I can’t return the tires now that they’ve been mounted.

Help!
OSK

[Ian Godfrey]

Bummer.
the problem is the wheels don't have quite the right offset (ET)
195's are always going to be close to the spring plate bolt and rear fender arch, but on most bodies they will fit with the right wheels.
Solutions: If the wheels are thick at the bolt holes some mm can be machined off the inside face, bringing the wheel in a bit.
Your car looks like a IRS car so you could also get narrowed trailing arms, a fair bit of work but it will bring those wheels in. This is one manufacturer
https://www.coolrydescustoms.com/narrowed-type-1-irs-arms.html
or you could put narrower tyres on but with those wheels it might still touch.
Is there any printing on the wheels eg. 5.5 x 15 ET???
good luck

[jeffrey8164]

I’m sorry to agree, but you bought the wrong wheels. 😕
_________________
Volkswagen!
Turning owners into mechanics since 1938.

“Let he that is without oil throw the first rod”
(Compression 8.7:1)

[sputnick60]

There is extensive discussion about wheel and tire combinations in the sticky “ Suspension – Lower, Raise, Narrow – Tire, Wheel Combinations”. The regular Sambanistas read through to educate themselves to what compatibility can be found. Sorry to read about your woes, I been there myself.

Nicholas
_________________
'66 Karmann Ghia Cabriolet...
'65 Porsche 356C Coupe...
2005 Mecedes Benz C180 Kompressor Estate
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!