17" Rims on S60 '01 - '02 models and tire rubbing

vizigot · Post by **vizigot** » 02 Dec 2006, 18:02

I have an extra set of 17" wheels (Volvo OEM 17" x 8") with some 235 Pirrelli's. I use them in the summer. The thing is, they rub on the inside. The stock 15" I use with good winters on them. i asked the dealer about it and the reply was that they have them as option for the S60 because people want them, although they rub. Also he told me there is no cure for it (even you tweak the turn radius - eventually it will come back loose again) and that you have to use the 15" or maybe the 16".
Now, because these wheels (17") rub in the inside, could you use some sort of shims/spacers? And if yes, what would be thickness so you could use these wheels (17" x 45 x 235)? Also, what would be the length of your lug nuts and where could you find all these gadgets? Would it be recommended to change the rotor sizes (bigger)? What about the pads and calipers?

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 02 Dec 2006, 20:30

I'm not sure of the answer....when JRL logs in, I'm certain he'll give you a good one.

Post by **JRL** » 02 Dec 2006, 21:57

17x8" means you bought PEGS. right?
They WILL hit depending on the brand of tire. You can help this by installing 5mm (or 10 MM) spacers, 10mm requires longer studs
What brand of tire did you put on? Many have a wide shoulder tread and will hit big time. Pirellis and most Michelins do not, they have narrower tread blocks and shoulders.
You also should install the longer steering stops (R stops)
You then will have the turning radius of an R, similar to a battleship but you won't rub.
Try the spacers first

vizigot · Post by **vizigot** » 02 Dec 2006, 22:57

I am not sure what PEGS means? The 17" x 8" Volvo calls them Amalthea, but they say they are 17" x 7.5" (which is not true on mine - the stencil stamp is clear 17" x 8"). As I mentioned I have some old Pirelli's(P 6000 Sport Veloce 235 x 45 x 17), but I have to change them - they are shot, maybe good for one more summer season, and noisy.
Concerning the studs, what length and where do you fin them? The longer steering stops, you get them from Volvo stealer or is there a web-site anywhere? how would I install them? Last summer in order not to rub, I took care, but as you said, I had that veeeeery wide turning radius - eventually I rubbed a few times (i had no choice but turn hard). When I put the winters on (which are actually ALL WEATHER - not all seasons - big difference) I repainted with tremclad where I rubbed.
I would like to use on the 17" same tires I have on the 15" that is Nokian WR (the sweetest tires i ever had - and I have them on a Tribute too). Here is the link for Nokian - awsome tires the Finns have. Here is the link: http://www.nokiantyres.com/passengercar ... =NOKIAN+WR

Post by **JRL** » 03 Dec 2006, 06:46

Almetheas really are 17x7-1/2 regardless of what is stamped.
http://swedespeed.com/old_site/resource ... rge/03.jpg
This was a stock optional wheel for 01 and 02 T5 wagons. The only way they would be 8" wide is if they are replicas from some other manufacturer and would throw off the entire deal as the wheel well area is SO tight!
I have sold a couple of T5 wagons with them that had some odd tires installed and they rubbed big time.
I'm also not sure what the offset of those wheels are but try the steering stops first, (dealer purchese but you can install them if you wish, easy), then spacers.
You can buy spacers here:
http://www.vivaperformance.com/catalog/
(I had a set of Nokian WRs 235's that were sightly used, sold them to a friend for his R. He LOVES them.

Good luck, this is trial and error and of course the last step ($$) would be new tires with a more narrow shoulder or go to 225s.
You also have to remember that S60 and V70 have, in general, a tire rubbing problem with large tires even from the factory as the engine/ transmission is very wide, being mounted transversely and the wheel well is small

(I just noticed that you already have Pirellis. I'm surprised they are rubbing and if they are it should be a very slight rub.Again if your wheels are truly 8" wide, they may be replicas. Try the spacers and also consider 225 instead of 235s, that will completely solve you problem and the price savings on a 225 will let you buy a really GOOD tire like a PS all season or a PS2 (Michelin)

vizigot · Post by **vizigot** » 03 Dec 2006, 10:25

Thanks JRL. I will try those spacers and the stops, but this will happen in spring sometime. The wheels came off an S80 (friend of mine), who installed different wheels on his. The wheels are made in Germany and look original to me, but who knows?
Thanks again

Post by **JRL** » 03 Dec 2006, 17:38

vizigot wrote:Thanks JRL. I will try those spacers and the stops, but this will happen in spring sometime. The wheels came off an S80 (friend of mine), who installed different wheels on his. The wheels are made in Germany and look original to me, but who knows?
Thanks again

Almatheas did NOT come on S80's so who knows what you have there.
A pic would be helpful

vizigot · Post by **vizigot** » 03 Dec 2006, 19:29

Thanks again JRL. You were right they are 7.5". I was confused. A while ago when I swapped the Almatheas with the winters, I took a look at some wheels a friend of mine had. They were 8", and these got stuck in my memory.
Here are the pics:
[img][img=http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/6533/pc030001vq0.th.jpg][/img]
[img][img=http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/4684/pc030006nj5.th.jpg][/img]
[img][img=http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/1474/pc030004lf4.th.jpg][/img]
Thanks again. Hope the spacers will do the job. I think I will try the 10mm

FUBAR · Post by **FUBAR** » 11 Jan 2007, 23:54

I asked about this rubbing as well (H&M motorsports) they offer aftermarket "rollers" and "bushings" that silence the tires rubbing noise. I didn't dare ask how many $hundred installed they ask... cost definately outweighs the benefit for me on this one.

sony2000 · Post by **sony2000** » 24 Apr 2007, 16:54

vizigot wrote:Thanks JRL. I will try those spacers and the stops, but this will happen in spring sometime. The wheels came off an S80 (friend of mine), who installed different wheels on his. The wheels are made in Germany and look original to me, but who knows?
Thanks again

Since you need new tires, 215/50/17 are an option that have the same diameter of 25.5 inches. (Anything but Michelin). 760T,855T,V70.....