Wheel Problem - Whats The Answer?

[paulsvet]

Hi, I have a problem with my wheels and want to know the cheapest solution please. I just changed my standard Michelin Energy wheels (165x65xR14 75t) for Acceler Alloys (195x50xR15 82v). They fit well and look ok. The problem is, when I have the wife and kids in there and we go over a bump in the road, the rear tyres grind against the rear wheel arch. This has caused some light cuts to the tyres, not very deep but still a worry as there are quite a lot of strips of rubber missing now.

 

What's the best solution, dampers, new shocks, or raising the suspension, where can i get such items cheapest, and who do you recommend to do the work?

 

Many thanks for any advice please.

[ColinC1]

You should start by checking some of the 107 websites for info on correct alloy sizes.

I did a quick search on City Bug Alloys and came up with this...

 

Q...Can i fit a 195/50/15, alloys/ tyre package to my 107 without any alterations anywhere,? there are some good prices at ......

 

A....They will fit with the correct pcd and offset, but you'd be better with 195/45 R15s tyre wise, as they are bang-on the correct rolling radius!

 

QUESTION I WOULD ASK MYSELF: Is it a bit too late for you to change to the size stated ? (ie, possibly cheaper to renegociate to trade-in your nearly new alloys from where you bought them, rather than lifting your car higher via new suspension, which may affect the handling characteristic of the car ? )

[downsman]

Hi, I'm new to the forum, as I'm awaiting delivery of a C1 vibe 5 door :unsure:

 

QUESTION I WOULD ASK MYSELF: Is it a bit too late for you to change to the size stated ? (ie, possibly cheaper to renegociate to trade-in your nearly new alloys from where you bought them, rather than lifting your car higher via new suspension, which may affect the handling characteristic of the car ? )

 

This sounds like excellent advice :)

 

Unfortunately, there are only three things you can do with wheel clearance problems (without changing the wheels).

 

You can raise the ride height with stiffer springs, which will ruin the handling and ride.

 

You can cut the bodywork to clear the tyres: ok on a race car but not on your valuable road car.

 

Or (if you can find them), you can fit rising rate springs that have similar characteristics to the standard springs when lightly loaded, but don't compress as much when heavily loaded.

[paulsvet]

Hi, I'm new to the forum, as I'm awaiting delivery of a C1 vibe 5 door :rolleyes:

This sounds like excellent advice :angry:

 

Unfortunately, there are only three things you can do with wheel clearance problems (without changing the wheels).

 

You can raise the ride height with stiffer springs, which will ruin the handling and ride.

 

You can cut the bodywork to clear the tyres: ok on a race car but not on your valuable road car.

 

Or (if you can find them), you can fit rising rate springs that have similar characteristics to the standard springs when lightly loaded, but don't compress as much when heavily loaded.

 

 

Thanks for the advice guys, much appreciated. I've done a couple of 1000 miles on the wheels, they drive perfectly aside from the occasional grinding over bumpy bits. Its even brought the speedometer right so it says 50 when i'm doing 50, and not 52. The solution seems to be rising rate springs then, I guess fitting dampers isn't an option? They seem to work for caravans, but I'm not sure about cars. Any damper experts or rising rate spring retailers out there?

 

Obviously with it being 3pts on your licence per defective tyre, I want to stop the rubbing asap. I've stuck the michelins back on for now.

[Martin_1973_uk]

You could just change the tyres to low profile hence reducing size of the wheel as in 195/45 R15's?