Wheels and Lowering clearance

[mikey362]

Hi guys,

 

I know this subject has been done to death but I just need some thoughts.

 

So the car is on a set of A1 alloys 16” 7j ET34 wrapped in 215/45 R16 tyres. These fit perfectly in the arches and are nice and flush.

when the car was on standard suspension no problems.

 

I have now lowered the car on Coilovers. Nothing fancy as it is more for looks as it’s only a 1.2.

mits bot slammed and I can still get 2 fingers plus space in between the wheel and arch but I seem to be getting some rubbing when on full lock. 

The question I have is should I just raise the suspension a bit at a time until it stops or should I look at some slightly thinner tyres like 195/45 instead? 
 

any thoughts or anyone had the same issue?

 

Edited 12 October, 2020 by mikey362

[sepulchrave]

The tyres are slightly too wide, however you can fit thin spacers behind the wheels to get rid of the rubbing without spending on a new set of 205's.

[mikey362]

Awesome I was hoping someone would have the exact answer, going to lift up a little to get rid of the rubbing for now. I will be getting fresh front tyres before the winter really sets in so was looking at 195 do you think these will be too much of a stretch? 10mm less on either side of the tyre.  

[sepulchrave]

205 is the standard VRS tyre width fitted to 16" rims.

[Carlston]

2 hours ago, mikey362 said:

Awesome I was hoping someone would have the exact answer, going to lift up a little to get rid of the rubbing for now. I will be getting fresh front tyres before the winter really sets in so was looking at 195 do you think these will be too much of a stretch? 10mm less on either side of the tyre.  

 

205/45R16 might get rid of the rubbing. However, the 7J rims and the low sidewalls don't do the ride any favours. 195/45R16 would make the situation even worse.

 

185/55R15 on Audi A1 6Jx15 ET29 rims would help move the tyres to the edge of the wheelarches compared to a more normal ET43 that you might use with this size tyre on the Fabia MK1.

 

Alcar 7415 Steel Rims 6Jx15 ET29 5/100 57.1

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/alcar/14750602

https://www.oponeo.co.uk/steel-wheel/alcar-kfz-7415#21067394

 

Uniroyal RainSport 5 185/55R15 82H

https://www.camskill.co.uk/m53b0s287p188166/Uniroyal_Tyres_Car_Uniroyal_RainSport_5_-_185_55_R15_82H_TL_Fuel_Eff_%3A_C_Wet_Grip%3A_A_NoiseClass%3A_2_Noise%3A_70dB

 

 Vredestein Quatrac 5 185/55R15 82H

https://www.camskill.co.uk/m138b0s7988p125555/Vredestein_Tyres_All_Season_Car_Vredestein_Quatrac5_Vredestein_Quatrac_5_-_185_55_R15_82H_TL_Fuel_Eff_%3A_C_Wet_Grip%3A_C_NoiseClass%3A_2_Noise%3A_69dB

 

Edited 12 October, 2020 by Carlston

[mikey362]

Thanks for the input.

 

I’m not gonna lie I’m not gonna swap the wheels to something simply because I like them and tbh I’m saving for an old Porsche the suspension was a treat because I just can’t stand riding round in a monster truck for my daily driver lol.

The ride isn’t actually bad at all in fact it’s just as comfortable as our MK2 Monte.

I’ll raise the coilovers a few threads to hopefully get the clearance back then revisit once I’ve got some 205’s on.

 

thanks

 

guys

 

 

[Carlston]

19 hours ago, mikey362 said:

I’ll raise the coilovers a few threads to hopefully get the clearance back then revisit once I’ve got some 205’s on.

 

If you're keen to try 205's, then there's a choice of 205/45R16 and 205/50R16.

 

205/45R16 have the greatest chance of not rubbing when on full lock compared to 205/50R15 as the outside diameter of 205/45R16 is less, but 205/50R16 might also not rub. 205/45R16 have a standard load index of 83 (487kg) whereas 205/50R16 have a standard load index of 87 (545kg). So the 205/50R16 will have a noticeably softer ride than the lower sidewalled 205/45R16.

 

Here's a couple of wet weather focused summer tyres on camskill in the 205/50R16 size

 

Nokia Wetproof 205/50R16 87V

https://www.camskill.co.uk/m62b0s300p163364/Nokian_Tyres_Car_Nokian_Wetproof_-_205_50_R16_87V_TL_Fuel_Eff_%3A_C_Wet_Grip%3A_A_NoiseClass%3A_1_Noise%3A_68dB

 

Uniroyal RainSport 5 205/50R16 87V

https://www.camskill.co.uk/m62b0s300p163364/Nokian_Tyres_Car_Nokian_Wetproof_-_205_50_R16_87V_TL_Fuel_Eff_%3A_C_Wet_Grip%3A_A_NoiseClass%3A_1_Noise%3A_68dB

 

Neither of these two tyres are XL or have excessively high W or Y speed ratings or have  rim protection...which all helps to improve the ride comfort.

 

Both these tyres are also listed on autodoc

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/tyres/search?Season=summer&Width=205&CrossSections=50&Size=16&Brand=nokian,uniroyal

 

One problem with fitting 205s to relatively wide 7J rims is that you don't get much rim protection from kerbing damage as the tyre sidewalls don't bulge out much.

 

Edited 13 October, 2020 by Carlston

[vindaloo]

Wheels are 1/2" (12-13mm) wider than OEM = 6-7mm wider inside and out.
Offset is ~10mm less than OEM = more sticky-outy.

Tyres are 10mm wider than OEM but same profile (45). Another 6-7mm plus a bit taller too.

 

If you can identify exactly where they're rubbing/scuffing the tyres, that's a good start.

[Carlston]

2 hours ago, vindaloo said:

Wheels are 1/2" (12-13mm) wider than OEM = 6-7mm wider inside and out.
Offset is ~10mm less than OEM = more sticky-outy.

Tyres are 10mm wider than OEM but same profile (45). Another 6-7mm plus a bit taller too.

 

7J rims and 215/45R16 tyres don't really make sense on the Fabia MK1 as the OP has found out. At least it saves others making the same expensive mistake.

[vindaloo]

11 hours ago, Carlston said:

 

7J rims and 215/45R16 tyres don't really make sense on the Fabia MK1 as the OP has found out. At least it saves others making the same expensive mistake.

 

I think.... can have the 45 or the 215 but not both on a 17. Ibiza rims are offset 41-43 I believe. Little bro went from 205/40 to 205/45 (I think) to get a little more comfort.

[mikey362]

It’s not an expensive mistake. I like the wheels and with okay tyres they only cost me £100 on eBay and one has a slight scuff the other 3 are perfect. They will need new tyres soon anyway and it’s only around thy e same amount I’d have spent on 4 tyres for my steelies.

 

I’ve raised the suspension on the front by 4 threads and so far their is no rubbing. But even with the wheel off there are no scuff marks and there’s no marking on the tyres so I’m at a complete loss for where exactly they were catching but got a feeling it’s where the inner arch starts to come in. You know as if it’s high enough it doesn’t catch lol.

 

Decided I’m having the wheels powder coated black so will be getting new tyres when that’s done.

 

thanks for your thoughts guys 👍🏻

[VRS_White_Hatch]

On 13/10/2020 at 17:18, Carlston said:

 

If you're keen to try 205's, then there's a choice of 205/45R16 and 205/50R16.

 

205/45R16 have the greatest chance of not rubbing when on full lock compared to 205/50R15 as the outside diameter of 205/45R16 is less, but 205/50R16 might also not rub. 205/45R16 have a standard load index of 83 (487kg) whereas 205/50R16 have a standard load index of 87 (545kg). So the 205/50R16 will have a noticeably softer ride than the lower sidewalled 205/45R16.

 

Here's a couple of wet weather focused summer tyres on camskill in the 205/50R16 size

 

Nokia Wetproof 205/50R16 87V

https://www.camskill.co.uk/m62b0s300p163364/Nokian_Tyres_Car_Nokian_Wetproof_-_205_50_R16_87V_TL_Fuel_Eff_%3A_C_Wet_Grip%3A_A_NoiseClass%3A_1_Noise%3A_68dB

 

Uniroyal RainSport 5 205/50R16 87V

https://www.camskill.co.uk/m62b0s300p163364/Nokian_Tyres_Car_Nokian_Wetproof_-_205_50_R16_87V_TL_Fuel_Eff_%3A_C_Wet_Grip%3A_A_NoiseClass%3A_1_Noise%3A_68dB

 

Neither of these two tyres are XL or have excessively high W or Y speed ratings or have  rim protection...which all helps to improve the ride comfort.

 

Both these tyres are also listed on autodoc

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/tyres/search?Season=summer&Width=205&CrossSections=50&Size=16&Brand=nokian,uniroyal

 

One problem with fitting 205s to relatively wide 7J rims is that you don't get much rim protection from kerbing damage as the tyre sidewalls don't bulge out much.

 

Really knowledgeable about wheels and tyres, I've never really got my head around all the numbers. Great post. 

[Carlston]

13 hours ago, mikey362 said:

It’s not an expensive mistake. I like the wheels and with okay tyres they only cost me £100 on eBay...

 

I agree. £100 sounds like a bargain.

 

As your car is a 1.2 6v you may have those rare extra small 239mm diameter front discs. If so, 13" wheels will fit the car as they will clear the front brake calipers.

 

Alcar 3560 Steel Rims 5Jx13 ET35 5/100 57.1

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/spares-search?keyword=3560&brandNo[0]=100470

 

Here is a Skoda online parts catalogue showing that 13" wheels really were fitted to some Fabia MK1 models. However, I'm not sure 13" wheels were ever offered in the UK market as standard.

http://www.oemepc.com/skoda/part_single/catalog/sk/markt/CZ/modell/FAB/year/2002/drive_standart/225/hg_ug/601/subcategory/601010/part_id/2543667/lang/e

 

175/70R13 tyres were probably fitted to the 13" rims as they have the same outside diameter and load index as 185/60R14 tyres.