Front Tires--215/40/17--Clearance Issue

[john g]

Following the manual, I have just tried two 215/40/17 tires on my stock WRX wheels. Turning lock to lock, the tires do not interfere with the angled frame but touch the vertical fire wall. I thought this size tire would work, and I am at a loss of what to do.

Fortunately, I did not purchase the tires. I am lucky enough to have found a tire dealer (Radial Tire in Silver Spring MD) who has lent me two front tires, one Fuzion ZRi and one Nitto Neo Gen to see if they fit. He also gave me two used 245/40/17s for the rear, which seem fine.

Any suggestions? I need to return the tires on Monday. (Please note a posted this information in a reply to an earlier thread on tires and am reposting with more information.

John

[Bob_n_Cincy]

Following the manual, I have just tried two 215/40/17 tires on my stock WRX wheels. Turning lock to lock, the tires do not interfere with the angled frame but touch the vertical fire wall. I thought this size tire would work, and I am at a loss of what to do.

Fortunately, I did not purchase the tires. I am lucky enough to have found a tire dealer (Radial Tire in Silver Spring MD) who has lent me two front tires, one Fuzion ZRi and one Nitto Neo Gen to see if they fit. He also gave me two used 245/40/17s for the rear, which seem fine.

Any suggestions? I need to return the tires on Monday. (Please note a posted this information in a reply to an earlier thread on tires and am reposting with more information.

John

Hi John. If you have to much caster it moves the wheel close to the fire wall.
FFR spec says +3 to +4 Degrees.
I set mine with a cheap harbor freight digital level stuck to the side of the FFR strut bracket.
Bob

[RM1SepEx]

I spaced my stock 16s out 15 mm that helps too

[Goldwing]

I got 215/45-17's to work on wider wheels but had to add a spacer between the steel pivot and aluminum at the rear of the LCA, adding caster, moving the lower ball joint forward. A corresponding adjustment of the upper a arm, brought me flush. I also had to add a 5mm steering travel limiter clip under the boots to gain actual clearance. Either of those ought to take care of your problem. I had thought about modding the aluminum firewall corner, but after the above, didn't need to.

[john g]

Thanks for the suggestions. I think I will check caster first.

Question: Is there a posting / thread for setting up the front end? I learned a lot from Wayne's lesson on the rear. For the front, I set toe using the string method and camber using a level.

John

[john g]

Update: I adjusted the caster and the 215/40/17 tires on WRX rims clear the body.

thanks again, John