dan83590

Can I use 215.45.17's on the front and 225.45.17's on the rear?

Reason being the 225 are £150 and the 215 tyre is £220...

Thanks.

jura11

iTrader: (7)

Wider rear tyres like front will kill your rear diff/gearbox and maybe something else...

I wouldn't recommend this,similar we are want(wider rear tyres like front),but we been advised don't do this


Jura

dan83590

Not with you.!

JonMc

iTrader: (51)

The tyre wall size is a percentage of the tyres width, which means a 215(mm)/40(%) tyre will have a smaller overall diameter to a 225(mm)/40(%) tyre which will mean that the front and rear axels will have different speeds. They are connected by the centre diff which is have a limited amount of slip to allow for uneven tyre wear, but a noticeable size difference caused by mis-matched tyres front and rear will cause additional stresses on the gearbox as it copes with managing the power to 2 diffs rotating at different speeds. Eventually the gearbox will pack up (prematurely).

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

Good explanation.

dan83590

Understood....

I have worked out that the difference in size is slightly more than 1%. No different to having brand new tyres on the rear and worn on the front. I am guessing I'll be okay until I change the fronts soon'ish to match?

Or, am I being completely stoopid??

jura11

iTrader: (7)

Technically yes if you are replace front one soon,i would say you should be OK,but this can be just lucky guess game,how long you gearbox/diff give you ghost

Jura

JonMc

iTrader: (51)

It's can be a gamble - you should rotate your tyres regularly to maintain even tyre wear front to rear and reduce the strain on the gearbox. Buy doing this you need to factor in the cost of buying 4 replacement tyres together as it is not recommended to change axle pairs on a 4WD car unless you can deselect the 4WD mode and it was well known for transfer boxes to pack up on calibra and cavalier turbos if this wasn't strictly adhered to - but, as Jura says, if it is a for a short while you may get away with it all depending upon how much wear and tear the gearbox has already suffered - russian roulette with your gearbox if you ask me

PS. Excuse the verbage but in the middle of writing a masters paper and I don't want to break my flow

NOSSY_89

Thats why in the manual it says you should change all the tyres at the same time.

I had part worns on my classic and yep the diff and gearbox went although it might not be completely down to the tyres.