2.5 dropped spindles with stock beam. Guidance Please

[eashc]

Looking to get new tires and do a 2.5 spindle drop. Currently have 205/60/15 with stock beam. I did the drop spindles once before but rubbed on corners and when braking with just me in the car.
So I ask those in the know: do you think any of these sizes 155/60/15 or 175/55/15 will work without rubbing?
Plus I'm not looking to shorten the beam.
Here's a picture of current set up.

[ps2375]

I had the same issue with 185/65-15's on the front of mine. You might get away with the 175's and will have an even better chance with the 155's, but no guarantee with either. As your wheel wheels will have a big impact on if either will work. With it lowered, does it look like the wheel will clear?

[Projectp]

I have 2.5 spindles with 155/60s and do not rub at all.

[eashc]

Thanks guys. I'm guys try gonna try the 155's.
Just found this site: https://tiresize.com gives a pretty go look at tire sizes.

[ps2375]

You might be fine if you used wheels w/o those adapters, those have to push the wheel out some. You either have a narrowed beam or some wheels with favorable offset, cause those wheels look to come out to where my 5.5" wide wheels do on my stock beam.

[eashc]

You're right about the adaptors. Forgot to mention them first. Hoping the 155 might be enough to slip in.
The 205/60 was just a little to wide.
I would like to find some used tires if possible just to test it out. But gonna do 155 for sure, and pray for the best.

[andk5591]

Do NOT forget the the dropped spindles WILL push the wheels further out. I have a set on the VW woodie that were supposedly 0 offset. With 155/80s I ended up using stock wheels from maybe a type 3 that had a greater offset (almost 1/2" more than the original wheels) to tuck the wheels in as far as I could get and I still am not happy with the look.

So - you have several variables. The wheel offset, the offset of the spindles you buy and your tire size. If I drop a car a little and want to retain stock size tires and wheels, I use and adjust able beam. With wider that 4.5" wheels, I go with a 2 or 3" narrowed adjustable beam.

Good luck.
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[eashc]

Yes. I'm aware that the tires will pop out more. I did put the spindles on once before, and it didn't rub to bad. That's why I'm hoping the 155's will fit under the fender better.
According to the tire calculator, it'll be narrower than what I have now.
The 1 is the 205/60/15; the 2 is 155/60/15

[ps2375]

Yes, a 205/-15 tire is narrower than a 155/60-15 tire by exactly 50mm at the tread. And you are only losing 1 inch of width at EACH edge, not from the outside only.

[jason]

Maybe fix the bent wheel while you have it off.

[eashc]

Yes, I work on the dent for sure.
But got the tires yesterday, hope to mount them next week.

[candyflame73]

[esde]

You can get rotors and drums with a Porsche lug pattern. That would eliminate the adapters, and get you 1/2-3/4" per side back. It would also get the tire "scrub" back close to stock and lessen bump steer.
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[eashc]

Well I got the tires mounted. Now to take the front apart. Maybe after thanksgivings.

[ps2375]

[ps2375]

After measuring my wheels for backspacing, I'm thinking I might be able to get them to clear with a different backspacing. Current wheels have a 3 5/8" backspacing, there are some alloys available with over 4" of backspacing and the same 5.5" width.

Not sure where your backspacing sits with those wheels and adapters.

[eashc]

Finally finished it up. Came nice. I may have been able to run the 175/55/15 tires and been ok. I went small just to be safe.
No rubbing and handles good.

[ps2375]

Interesting, when I put my drop spindles on, it put the fender lip within 2" of the tire. I guess the over 2" reduction in tire height allowed that extra clearance you appear to have. This is good info to have seen.

[eashc]

I was a little worried that it may not work but it came out good. Wish I didn't have the gap but I'm cool with it.
Final specs are:

155/60/15 tires
Stock beam
2.5 dropped spindles
5.5 rims with adaptors

[johnR]

Just FYI, those rims are 6.0 inches wide (6jx15 Cookie Cutters ET36). Nice looking car!