Sp4rk 0 Posted February 24, 2015 Share Posted February 24, 2015 Hi everyone. I have a euro model Spark (2010) and I am looking to buy some aftermarket wheels and tires (14-15" max). To that point, I've gone and test-fitted a few different wheels with different offsets and the wheels are all way too wide - when I jack up the car to test-fit the wheels, the tire goes underneath the bottom part of the front strut (the spring seat) and If I lower the car down I risk the shock resting on the top of the tire. (Specs of the wheels I tried - 15x6 ET 38 with 195/50/15 tires). I noticed, however, that even the stock wheel (4.5J ET 45 155/80/13 tire) is pretty close to the spring seat. My question is - will it be safe to purchase wheels that go underneath the spring seat? I see people in the U.S. running 205/40/17 with 40 offset and it's making me think that it would be okay to have the rim and tire go undeneath the spring seat. I would appreciate any help. Link to post Share on other sites
dulsaf2630 9 Posted February 24, 2015 Share Posted February 24, 2015 Hi, I have the same Spark as yours using 16x7 wheels with +40 offset (195/45 tires) lowered on h&r sport springs. Everything is fine no rub or anything even if you go super fast and I have used 17x7 et +40 (not lowered) before and it is fine even with around 250kg of load. Link to post Share on other sites
Sp4rk 0 Posted February 24, 2015 Author Share Posted February 24, 2015 ^ Your wheels go underneath the spring seat on the front struts? What about turning? Will the tire rub inside the wheel well at full turn? Link to post Share on other sites
mitogt 5 Posted February 24, 2015 Share Posted February 24, 2015 I have 195/50/15 with 6.5X15 Rims with 35 offset, no rubbing on turning or any, still enough rubber for potholes and no to harsh ride. Link to post Share on other sites
Sp4rk 0 Posted February 24, 2015 Author Share Posted February 24, 2015 This is what I am referring to - I found the picture from a SRT forum. The 195/50/15 ET38 wheel I tried on looked similar to what the picture shows (although not to that extreme). This is the spring seat/perch that I am referring to. I am wondering if over bigger bumps in the road the tire will hit the spring seat. Link to post Share on other sites
Sp4rk 0 Posted February 24, 2015 Author Share Posted February 24, 2015 (edited) I cannot post the picture so here is a link to the picture I am referring to: I fixed it for you, bluer101 Edited February 24, 2015 by bluer101 Link to post Share on other sites
bluer101 241 Posted February 24, 2015 Share Posted February 24, 2015 Yes that is absolutely fine. Remember the tire and bottom strut plate go up and down at the same time. I'm running 17 inch wheels and my gap is really small also at the lip of the rim. I get no rubbing at all even driving it hard. Link to post Share on other sites
Sp4rk 0 Posted February 25, 2015 Author Share Posted February 25, 2015 Okay, great. That's what I was worried about. Thanks for the clarification! Now my wheel options dramatically increased Link to post Share on other sites
bluer101 241 Posted February 25, 2015 Share Posted February 25, 2015 Okay, great. That's what I was worried about. Thanks for the clarification! Now my wheel options dramatically increased Just remember a tire can expand and contract so give it a little breathing room. Link to post Share on other sites
Sp4rk 0 Posted February 25, 2015 Author Share Posted February 25, 2015 Yeah, I will definitely take that into account. I'm looking at some used 16" wheels with 205/45/16 tires (the seller didn't know the offset so I'll go and check them out and do a test-fit). Link to post Share on other sites
jingsparky 2 Posted August 9, 2015 Share Posted August 9, 2015 (edited) Hi ive read your conversation here...i was about to get 205/40/17 et 38 the mags is 17/7.5 will there he a problem with this? Pls enlighten me cause ive seen bluer101 have the same specs with this. Thanks! Edited August 9, 2015 by jingsparky Link to post Share on other sites
dulsaf2630 9 Posted August 11, 2015 Share Posted August 11, 2015 7 40et is already too close to the strut tower. 7.5 with a 38 would be an extra 7mm closer. Link to post Share on other sites
jingsparky 2 Posted August 11, 2015 Share Posted August 11, 2015 with this in mind...if this will be the case i think ill go for 10mm hub spacer this might fix the offset problem. Ive ordered already still waiting for my rim. Thanks guys for the info...ill post some photos as soon as i got it. 😊 Link to post Share on other sites
jingsparky 2 Posted August 11, 2015 Share Posted August 11, 2015 Guys check this one... http://www.carbibles.com/tyre_bible_pg4.html Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now