ernie

hello

My Scoob is standard bar 17" rims and the obligatory SO2's, with the slightly wider than standard 215 profile.

Giving a demonstration of the cars handling, "as you do", a horrible noise was heard from the rear. On inspection, the tyre has rubbed the outer edge of the plastic wheel arch liner thingy, exposing a ribbed metal srip.

This was the first and only time this has happened, and the only time I've given the car some stick with two rear passengers. Now I'm pissed off, I've never heard (perhaps in my ignorance) of any clearance problems, other wise I would'nt have gone for the 215 profile that seems to come as standard when changing to 17's. Dont know what to do about the worn away section, its never happened when driving solo/1 up

Kevin2000

Hmmm havnt heard that before.
Regards
Kevo

Rob W

What offset are your 17's running?
You might have the wrong offset combined with the wider tyres could lead to arch fouling problems.
Did you buy the car new? if not it may have been previously lowered.
Rob

BrewandBake

Maybe your passengers need to go on a diet !

Brew.

Blackscooby

Ernie,

On my standard (or I think it is) suspension my 17" wheels rub when pressing on hard. Using Toyo 215/40/17's.

The rims were ordered specifically for the car ~ Raceline RL5's. Ordered directly from Raceline. Exactly the same circumstances, 2 up in the back, pressing on.

I don't have a solution, except that I run my 16" Speedlines on the UK suspension and the 17" rims on my coilovers when competing.

MY94 UK

Cheers

mark.

[This message has been edited by Blackscooby (edited 12 October 2000).]

NITO

Hi guys,
I've been through various sets of wheels and tyres on two different lowered Imprezas.

The recommended standard width for a 17" rim is 205/45/17 although 215/40/17 will fit on Prodrive rims. These used to use 55 offset. Since the 4 pot calipers have been introduced the prodrive run I believe 53 offset. If you go anything below 50 offset be prepared for some fouling. 45 offset WILL foul as will 48offset with 215 tyres from my previous experiences. Aftermarket (non prodrive) speedlines use 50 offset which is fine.

I currently use Pirelli P7000's in 215/35/18 size on a 7.5"x18" with a 50 offset without arch fouling problems and the car is lowered. So if you guys are experiencing fouling of the rear arches then it's more than likely wrong offset or profile tyre. Rim width should be no wider than 7" really, particularly on a 17" rim.

If your alloys are less than 50 offset then you could avoid rubbing by running 205 tyres but be warned that a 45 offset wheel, although it will physically fit with a 205 will cause adverse handling effects particularly of the rear end which will feel unstable on motorways.

Many tyre/wheel companies fob you off saying they will fit the Impreza no problems with 45 and 48 offset wheels (I had this recently when enquiring about BK racing wheels) and although they will physically fit the car when using 205 tyres it will not handle nicely.

Hope this helps,
Nito

Blackscooby

Nito,

Thanks for this ~ I'll have a look what the offset is on my 17"'s.

I thought they were 55, but I've been wrong before !!!

Cheers

Mark.

ernie

Hi Rob

Owned the car from new, so definately not lowered. The wheels are MIM's aka Scoobysport, which I believe are the correct offset as "they were made specifically for the Impreza"