Wheel / Tyre conundrum

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   Hi Everyone,
As the tyres on my Westy are load rated at 92 rear and 88 front I thought I'd put a set of 97s on.

The current tyres are 185 65 R15 and I couldn't find any with the required load rating so decided to go for 195 70 R15, this size gives the same rolling radius as a standard wheel/tyre combination and is only a little wider, so I thought everything would be ok.

However, I was concerned that the current tyres on the front look very close to the wheel arch eyebrow, even though they never foul, and thought I might have problems with the extra width and rolling radius. The previous owner lowered the van by 60mm using JK springs and dampers and also fitted the alloys but the van does appear lower at the front than the back.

I had a look on the inside of one of the wheels at the weekend and apparently they're 5.5J and ET 12! This I know, from searching on here, is far too low and explains why they look so close to the arch.

The question is what should I do now? 

Should I bin the wheels and tyres and start again or is it possible to salvage anything from what appears to be a complete balls up?

Cheers

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spinone Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 17 Sep 07 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 74	Post Options Post Reply Quote spinone Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Wheel / Tyre conundrum Posted: 28 May 12 at 13:14
	Hi Everyone, As the tyres on my Westy are load rated at 92 rear and 88 front I thought I'd put a set of 97s on. The current tyres are 185 65 R15 and I couldn't find any with the required load rating so decided to go for 195 70 R15, this size gives the same rolling radius as a standard wheel/tyre combination and is only a little wider, so I thought everything would be ok. However, I was concerned that the current tyres on the front look very close to the wheel arch eyebrow, even though they never foul, and thought I might have problems with the extra width and rolling radius. The previous owner lowered the van by 60mm using JK springs and dampers and also fitted the alloys but the van does appear lower at the front than the back. I had a look on the inside of one of the wheels at the weekend and apparently they're 5.5J and ET 12! This I know, from searching on here, is far too low and explains why they look so close to the arch. The question is what should I do now? Should I bin the wheels and tyres and start again or is it possible to salvage anything from what appears to be a complete balls up? Cheers

Steve B Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Vanorak Joined: 26 Apr 05 Location: Mong free zone Status: Offline Points: 13181	Post Options Post Reply Quote Steve B Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 28 May 12 at 13:28
	Keep the tyres and sell the wheels to someone with a van they were designed to be fitted to...a Bay Window/Splitty. The fact they're ET12 and fitted with cars tyres I'd say they are EMPI/BRM style alloys and were supplied by Midland Wheels....it's a common f'ck up of theirs saying they fit a T3 when they don't. JK -60mm always lower the front more than the rear. Edited by Steve B - 28 May 12 at 13:29

spinone Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 17 Sep 07 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 74	Post Options Post Reply Quote spinone Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 28 May 12 at 13:36
	You're absolutely right about the wheels they're EMPI style with MWS embossed on the back. Should I be using the tyres though, as they're too low on the load rating, which is what started all this off.

Steve B Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Vanorak Joined: 26 Apr 05 Location: Mong free zone Status: Offline Points: 13181	Post Options Post Reply Quote Steve B Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 28 May 12 at 13:39
	Sorry I thought you'd bought the 195/70/15C tyres...but after reading this again you haven't. Sell them to a Bay/Split owner as they don't usually give a f'ck about using hatchback car tyres on a van....hence why MWS sell that combination... Edited by Steve B - 28 May 12 at 13:43

spinone Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 17 Sep 07 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 74	Post Options Post Reply Quote spinone Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 28 May 12 at 13:45
	That makes sense! Fortunately I haven't bought the 195s yet, I almost did but thought I'd double check everything first. Thanks for your help Steve. Do you know anyone with some alloys with load rated tyres, that'll go straight on, for sale? Cheers, Chris

Steve B Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Vanorak Joined: 26 Apr 05 Location: Mong free zone Status: Offline Points: 13181	Post Options Post Reply Quote Steve B Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 28 May 12 at 13:49
	I've nothing at the moment but if I find something in the next couple of days I'll give you a shout. Do you have a preference...15's,16's,17's?

spinone Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 17 Sep 07 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 74	Post Options Post Reply Quote spinone Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 28 May 12 at 13:58
	Not really but I'd like a reasonable amount of rubber between the wheel and the road, just for the sake of comfort.

mrhutch Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group the ginger princess Joined: 21 Aug 07 Location: Herefordshire Status: Online Points: 3770	Post Options Post Reply Quote mrhutch Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 28 May 12 at 14:34
	I've got some ford granada 16" alloys - which go straight on to a T3 - am am looking for some bay alloys
	No Engine Or Gearbox Installed At Present... RED OXIDE MURDER WAGON

spinone Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 17 Sep 07 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 74	Post Options Post Reply Quote spinone Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 28 May 12 at 15:04
	Have you got any photos of them?

Steve B Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Vanorak Joined: 26 Apr 05 Location: Mong free zone Status: Offline Points: 13181	Post Options Post Reply Quote Steve B Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 28 May 12 at 15:38
	http://www.brick-yard.co.uk/forum/t3-granada-alloys-fit-straight-on_topic72547.html?KW=

T3ADICT Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Vanorak Joined: 21 Jul 05 Location: LeightonBuzzard Status: Offline Points: 3778	Post Options Post Reply Quote T3ADICT Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 28 May 12 at 17:04
	hi ive got a set of 16" merc alloys you can have for 100 quid if you dont have the 16" granny alloys.. (have to say the granny ones are a nice easy fit wheel for a t3 )
	WHY T3's.... because they are just so adictive, and having one just aint enough

spinone Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 17 Sep 07 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 74	Post Options Post Reply Quote spinone Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 29 May 12 at 11:35
	Thanks for the offers chaps. I'm still considering my options at the moment and, as you'll be aware, they're many and varied.