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Old 10-03-2012, 10:38 PM   #1
BA_GTR
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Default Upper arm clearance with 17's

Hey guys,

I have a set of 17" wheels that I'm trying to fit to my AU2. It has Goodyear 235/50/17 tyres on there, but it seems like it won't clear the upper arm/ball joint (I'm not really sure what it is). It seems odd as I know people have fitted wider tyres than this before.

When I tried to fit my 17's, I noticed that the 16's that are on there have wear on the inside very close to where this arm/ball joint item is. It also appears like the edge of it has been 'smoothed' out by contact with the tyre. Should this be the case? The car has Eibach lowered springs with the BOGE shortened shocks.

Any help will be much appreciated. Thanks

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Old 10-03-2012, 11:36 PM   #2
4ford
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Default Re: Upper arm clearance with 17's

Hi BA_GTR...

For my money, seems like the problem is with the tyres, or at least their size.
I also drive an AU2 sedan, with lowered front suspension, and 17" wheels.

The difference being I have 235-45-17 tyres, which around 12mm lower profile than your 235-50-17s.
Add to that, I just went out to the garage and ran my hand over the top of the tyre on the front, and my fingers just fit around the top, where the suspension joint is located.

If you're not already aware, the tyre size numbering represents, in my case:
235 = mm width of the part of the tyre that comes into contact with the road, sort of the tread width.
45 = the percentage of the abovementioned '235', in this case, about 105.75 mm, that is the sidewall height of the tyre, it's profile height.
17 = in inches, the diameter of the tyre, at the rim.

This is where I got the approximately 12 mm difference in your tyre height and mine.

On your car, 17s will be fine, just get the right size tyre and all will be good!

Cheers, 4ford
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Old 11-03-2012, 12:09 AM   #3
mongrelEF
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Default Re: Upper arm clearance with 17's

Also, what's the offset on your rims? As AUs run a slightly bigger offset than previous Falcons, older rims can have contact issues - particularly with the bigger sizes....
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Old 11-03-2012, 01:01 AM   #4
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Default Re: Upper arm clearance with 17's

Quote:
Originally Posted by mongrelEF
Also, what's the offset on your rims? As AUs run a slightly bigger offset than previous Falcons, older rims can have contact issues - particularly with the bigger sizes....

Won't be an offset issue. AU's were offset more inside the guard...Earlier ones had contact issues with the guard lip, rather than the upper control arm
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Old 11-03-2012, 09:02 AM   #5
T3man
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Default Re: Upper arm clearance with 17's

It is tyre profile simple. Get the correct size tyre for the car - 235 45 17s and the problem is solved.
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Old 11-03-2012, 10:11 AM   #6
portokatsiki
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Default Re: Upper arm clearance with 17's

must be the tyre profile I ve got 19s with 245 on m te and its lowered 30mm and have no issues with clearance
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Old 11-03-2012, 12:46 PM   #7
4ford
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Default Re: Upper arm clearance with 17's

Yeah guys,
It really doesn't matter, within reason, what rim diameter you have fitted, the tyre profile MUST be right to maintain the correct indicated speed on your speedo (and odo distance as well!).

The larger the rim size, the smaller the profile has to get, to maintain the same, or very similar, outside circumference of the entire wheel, otherwise, read as above!

It's that simple!

Also, lowering the front suspension doesn't affect this problem, the dimension between the axle stub and the top joint don't change when the suspension height is changed!

Hey Portokatsiki...
With your 19 inch rims, you must be running a profile much lower than 45 otherwise you would be having the same problems as BA_GTR.

4ford

Last edited by 4ford; 11-03-2012 at 12:55 PM.
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