Yes, a tire and wheel question. Need some analysis please.

[Icebox500]

I have read the forum, to the point I was simply overwhelmed. Please, no offense at asking for help!

I recently bought an 87 Westy long distance. Nice van that is mechanically sound and has a great interior etc... This bus has:

16" ASA/GoWesty Wheels
215/70R 16 Open Range A/T tires
1.5" GoWesty lift kit
Fresh Bilstien shocks

Once off the truck, I took it for my first drive and made hard enough contact with the tire that I deformed the wheel well on each side. Like, entering my neighborhood or the gas station or my driveway are all "aggressive" with this Vanagon.

This is my third Vanagon, I've never experienced this. Is the offset wrong? Are the wheels/tires too wide? It's the only "obvious" thing to me.

[E1]

I have the same wheels and have long believed the offset to be too wide.

But in my and possibly your case, it may mostly do this if the wheel is at all turned. Mine always happen when least expected, or maybe because of it, when really crawling along.

Though the wheel offset *may* be at fault, I’ve determined the suspension is probably not unless front shocks are bad or if the springs are running too low.

So rest easy, I get about one hit a year and we do some serious stuff.
_________________
‘84 Westy, 2.1L with Digijet, 5.43 R+P, GT Gears
"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere."
— Colin Chapman

[Icebox500]

Yes, good point. This occurs when turning into a divot, hence an even broader plane to make contact.

It does feel like this combination is simply too big... It's just that I'm _shocked_ at how easily it hits and the PO claims he never had an issue.

Thanks for the response.

I'm likely going to look at a less wide combination.

[crazyvwvanman]

Looks like the tire is taking some damage also.

[jimf909]

You can see that we have matching deformations. This occurred with the same wheels as yours with 215/65 R16 tires. I've since changed to 15" steel wheels with 215/75 R15 tires and don't have the same problem. I'd have to look up the offset on the steel wheels.

I believe the offset on these alloy wheels is about 23mm, less than the T3 recommendation of ~37ishmm(?)

_________________
- Jim

[djkeev]

Anytime a tire catches a fender lip......
Tire too big
Wheel too big
Offset wrong
Suspension sagged

Choose one.......or two.
_________________
Stop Dead Photo Links how to post photos

Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473

Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert

[Icebox500]

[Icebox500]

[Icebox500]

[tjet]

A good body ship can work those fenders out for tire clearance (and fix the current bend). They can do it without damaging the paint, and it will look good too. They may also be able to do the rear as well (to match).

There's a body shop guy in this forum that's in CO. Bill?

[Zeitgeist 13]

Typically ET30 is your target offset, or at least that's what the stock offset was on factory alloy 14" rims. I'm running 215/70-16 rims with an accumulative equivalent of around ET23*, but I'm lifted up pretty high. Never an issue with my combo. Personally, I won't run the aftermarket rims GW and others are selling. Way too many issues to justify the cost.

*Lots of jiggery-pokery going on to get there, but that's the number I remember after all the tomfoolery was done.
_________________
Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

[E1]

I personally wouldn’t fix the fender if you plan on more offroad. We’ll do ours, with possibly other things like minor PO damage, before selling out.

Straightening weakens metal, and it sure will bend easier next time and get harder to fix with each.

Jim, interesting data on the 15s. Are the tires still 27” high?
_________________
‘84 Westy, 2.1L with Digijet, 5.43 R+P, GT Gears
"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere."
— Colin Chapman

[tjet]

Na, steel can handle the rework. Aluminum, not so much.


Link

[Icebox500]

[Icebox500]

[Icebox500]

[quote="E1"]I personally wouldn’t fix the fender if you plan on more offroad. We’ll do ours, with possibly other things like minor PO damage, before selling out.

It’s a “50/50” van right now. I’ll worry about aesthetics down the road.

[E1]

Haha, if constantly used, is there another kind?
_________________
‘84 Westy, 2.1L with Digijet, 5.43 R+P, GT Gears
"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere."
— Colin Chapman

[Christopher Schimke]

This is a major problem for lots of Vanagon owners. The problem is a combination of tall tires and wheels that are too wide and have the wrong offset...definitively!!!
_________________
"Sometimes you have to build a box to think outside of." - Bruce (not Springsteen)

*Custom wheel hardware for Audi/VW, Porsche and Mercedes wheels - Urethane Suspension Bushings*
T3Technique.com or contact me at [email protected]

[E1]

Thank You!

Yeah, we’ve been chasing the elusive 17” dream for far too long, on two vans, over several years since so few will work on it while traveling.

Thousands of dollars later, we may have to start over. You’ll get our business, but I am increasingly pissed that we supported other vendors in the blind trust they tested this stuff!

Hell, a friend of mine and I wouldn’t even sell racing kart parts before knowing THEY WORKED and weren’t a burden on customers funds.

Business 101: respect now, profit later.

Thanks Again for understanding that, it’s obvious and I thank you.
_________________
‘84 Westy, 2.1L with Digijet, 5.43 R+P, GT Gears
"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere."
— Colin Chapman

[Franklinstower]

The 215/70/16 are a tall tire. I had those and had the same issues. (passat rims ET45 with 12mm Spacers) I corrected the fender lip/tire rub contact issue with stiffer front moog springs. But eventually messed with offsets and finally went to the CLK's.
All Three Components in different combinations can be addressed to avoid the tire rub issue: Wheel Choice (Offset), Tire Size, Spring/Shock Stiffness

Those Go-Westy Lift Springs are also known for substantial settling of over an inch over time. Depending how many miles are on them, it could get worse too.
_________________
'89 Westy - EJ25/22 Frank 4.44 5mt
'75 Miami Blue Sunroof FI Standard Bug